Jahnu Saptami - May 06, 2014

Ganga-saptami or Jahnu-saptami appears in the month of Vaishakha (Vaishnava month of Madhusudana - April/May) on the 7th day of Shukla-paksha, or the waxing fortnight of the full moon.

On this day Jahnu Muni swallowed and released the Ganga, who was on her way to deliver the ancestors of King Bhagiratha. This is why the Ganges is also called the Bhagirathi.

On this day the Ganga is worshipped and many people make offerings to their forefathers, and bathe in the Ganga. On this day, if possible, one should worship the Ganges and bathe in her waters.

In Bhaktivinode Thakura's Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya Chapter 13: Description of Vidyanagara and Jahnudvipa it is written as follows:

As Nityananda spoke, they went to Jannagara where they saw the enchanting hermitage of Jahnu Muni. Nityananda Prabhu explained:

"This enchanting place named Jahnudvipa is known as Bhadravana. At this place, Jahnu Muni underwent penances and received darshana of the golden form of Gauranga.

Jahnu Muni was sitting here chanting his Gayathri mantra, when his achamana cup fell into the Bhagirathi (Ganges) and was swept away by the currents. He opened his mouth and drank all the water in one gulp.

King Bhagiratha thought, 'Where has the Ganges gone?' He concluded that Jahnu Muni had drunk the Ganges. The king was overwhelmed with anxiety and worshipped the muni for several days. The muni then released the Ganges from his body. Because of this incident the Ganges is known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Jahnu, throughout the world."