Ganga Dusshera is a famous festival celebrated on the occasion of her merciful descent to earth. A grand Ganga Puja was offered at Prabhupad ghat, highlight being the spectacular Ganga Arthi with big, bright lamps. Srimati Ganga Devi, seated on her carrier crocodile, decorated in a new Sari and many flower garlands, accepted the puja and offerings. Many senior vaisnavas spoke on the glories of Ganga Devi and the pastime of her appearance in the earthly planet. Lotuses and ghee lamps were distributed and all the devotees offered them to Mother Ganga. A Maha Arati was offered to Ganga Mata at 6pm. All the devotees took bath in the pure waters of Ganga devi and offered deep prayers with gratitude for her appearance in this material world.
Ganga Devi emanates from the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and she compassionately appeared in this material world pleased by the austerities of Maharaj Bhagiratha. As she flowed down from the heavenly planets, Lord Shiva took her in his matted hair. Then, from kailash she followed Maharaj bhagirath through Haridwar to Mayapur. When she reached Mayapur, she stopped and told Bhagiratha that as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would appear soon, she wanted to stay there and take darshan of the Beautiful Lord. Then after Gaura purnima she went all the way to the hellish planets to purify the ancestors of Bhagiratha.
Srimati Ganga Devi flows through the 3 worlds just to purify all the living entities. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed many pastimes in Ganga in his childhood and school days.
Sri Ganga mata ki Jai!
Source:http://www.mayapur.com/2016/ganga-puja-celebrations-2/
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