Varanasi/Prayagraj (UP) [India], June 12 : Several devotees thronged the holy ghats of the River Ganga to take a dip in the holy river on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra.
The festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and vigour in cities like Prayagraj and Varanasi where people from all across the globe come to seek blessings. Taking a dip in the river on this day is considered a means for devotees to get rid of their sins and also heal any physical ailments they may have.
Ganga Dussehra, which is celebrated on the tenth day (Dashami) of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month Jyeshtha, also marks the day when Goddess Ganga is believed to have descended from the heavens to Earth.
In Varanasi, thousands of devotees flocked the Dashashwamedh Ghat to take a dip in the holy Ganges while others were seen performing puja on the banks of the river.

Hiranand Pandey, one of the local residents who was present with his family to take a dip in the holy river said, "Today we celebrate the origin of the river on earth. And it is believed that bathing in the river today, one can wash off 10 kinds of sins. Towards the evening, diyas are seen floating in the river."
In Prayagraj too, devotees celebrated the day by taking a dip in the holy river near the Sangam (meeting point of river Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati).

Celebrations last for a total of ten days, with the last day being celebrated as Ganga Dussehra.