Ganga Saptami is considered an important day for Hinduism. Ganga Saptami is a day completely dedicated to Mother Ganga. Maa Ganga is worshiped on this day. Ganga Saptami is also called 'Ganga Jayanti' or 'Ganga Pujan'. According to Hindu legends, it is believed that Goddess Ganga was reborn on this day. Ganga Saptami festival is celebrated every year on Shukla Paksha Saptami of Vaishakh month. Ganga Saptami is celebrated as a festival in North India, especially in those pilgrimage places through which the Ganges river passes. Special pujas and prayers are performed for Maa Ganga. On this day thousands of devotees take bath in the Ganges river and perform Ganga aarti and worship at famous pilgrimage baths like Prayagraj, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Garhmukteshwar etc.
One should get up before sunrise on the day of Ganga Saptami. One should take bath in the Ganges river. If you are unable to take a bath in the Ganges river, then you should take bath by mixing the water of the Ganges river in the bathing water at home. One should do Aarti of Mother Ganga and chant 'Ganga Sahasranama Stotram' and 'Gayatri Mantra'. Taking a bath in the Ganges river on this day is considered very auspicious and one gets freedom from all sins. One should also donate lamps on this day.
According to astrological calculations, if a person's life is under the influence of 'Mars'. So on the day of Ganga Saptami, after bathing in Goddess Ganga, one should worship Ganga.
The story and significance of Ganga Saptami The religious texts like 'Padma Purana', 'Brahma Purana' and 'Narad Purana' tell about Ganga Saptami. According to Hindu mythological beliefs, Ganga first appeared on earth on the day of Ganga Dussehra. Lord Shiva had absorbed the Ganges in his hair. Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Shiva for the salvation of his ancestors to free the Ganges from his hair. Goddess Ganga started walking on the path shown by Bhagiratha.
The ashram of sage Jahnu was destroyed by the flow of river Ganges. Sage Jahnu drank the Ganges river in anger. It was only after the request of Bhagirath and other deities, sage Jahnu once again left the Ganges on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month. Since then this day marks the rebirth of Goddess Ganga and is also known as 'Jahanu Saptami'. Being the daughter of sage Jahnu, Goddess Ganga is also called Jahnavi.