Ayodhya (UP), May 26 (PTI) The banks of the Saryu glowed with thousands of lamps as Ayodhya celebrated Ganga Dassehra on Tuesday with traditional rituals, devotional music and floral decorations, drawing lakhs of devotees.
Keeping with the tradition spanning nearly 125 years, a grand aarti of 11,000 lamps, a sant samagam, and an attractive phool bangla was arranged on the banks of the river Saryu.
Accompanied by Vedic mantras, bhajan-kirtan provided devotees with a spiritual experience.
"Lakhs of devotees arrived in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ganga Dassehra. Special arrangements for cleanliness, security, and lighting have been made at the ghats. Large crowds of devotees throng the Sarayu ghats from morning on this day," Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi said.
He added that it is believed that bathing, donating, and performing puja of Maa Saryu on this day destroys all sins of a person and bestows blessings.
Shashikant Das, president of the Saryu Aarti Sthal, said that on Ganga Dassehra, a special tableau of Saryu river was arranged, a phool bangla was decorated, and seers sang the glory of Maa Sarayu.
The administration was also engaged in making arrangements keeping the convenience of devotees.
Religious belief holds that the river Ganga descended on Earth on this day, due to which this festival holds special significance in the Indian tradition. It is said that merely taking darshan on this day grants liberation from all sins of life, Das said.