Ganga Saptami 2026: Date, Muhurat, Katha, Rituals & Benefits

Believed to be one of the most auspicious and divine days in Hindu tradition, Ganga Saptami is celebrated on Shukla Paksha’s Saptami Tithi in Vaishakh month. This year, Hindus all over the world are preparing to welcome the festival on 23rd April. Religious texts point out that this day marks the reappearance of Ganga Maa. In this article, we will explore the religious significance, date, timings, Ganga Saptami Kadha and every important detail related to the festival.


On 22nd April 2026, Saptami Tithi will start at 10:49 PM.

Saptami Tithi will conclude at 8:49 PM on 23rd April.

Madhyahna Muhurat is from 11:01 AM to 1:38 PM.

The time period for Snan is from 5:48 AM to 7:26 AM.


Devotees believe that this day is very powerful for praying to ancestors. It is said that engaging in rituals such as charity and tarpan, along with taking holy dips in river Ganga can help provide peace to the souls who have passed away. Additionally, devotees will also get relieved from Pitru Dosha.

On this day, Ganga Maa’s birth anniversary is celebrated with grand processions, rituals and devotional music in spiritual locations like Haridwar. As a matter of fact, all our sins will get obliterated and wishes will become fulfilled when we receive the blessings of Goddess Ganga.


Dedicated to Goddess Ganga, Ganga Saptami is also known as Ganga Jayanti and Ganga Pujan. It is celebrated as the day in which Goddess Ganga was reborn. Drik Panchang points out the Ganga Saptami kadha in this way:

“While on her way to the kingdom of Bhagiratha, Ganga Devi's mighty flow and gushing turbulent water destroyed the Ashram of sage Jahnu. This angered Sage Jahnu and he drank up all of Ganga's water. Upon this, Bhagiratha and the Gods prayed to Rishi Jahnu to release Ganga so that she could proceed on her mission of freeing Bhagirath and his ancestors from a curse. Pleased with prayers Jahnu released Ganga from his ear.

According to legends Jahnu Rishi released Ganga from his ear on Saptami of Vaishakha Shukla Paksha. Because of this legend this day is also known as Jahnu Saptami. Ganga is also known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Rishi Jahnu.”


Spiritual leaders recommend that devotees should wake up during Brahma Muhurat and wear clean clothes after taking a bath on this day. It is highly recommended to bath in river Ganga. If that is not possible, we can add Ganga water to the bathwater at home.

Then, we can start worshipping Ganga Devi using incense, flowers, lamps, offerings. It is said that reciting Ganga Stotra and ‘Om Name Shivaya’ can purify our souls from the depths.

We should perform charity. Devotees are encouraged to provide clothes, food, money or water to the needy.

We can perform tarpan for ancestors as well. Performing this ritual on this day is highly beneficial for attaining freedom from Pitru Dosha and also for providing peace to ancestors.

In the evening, devotees can light a diyas near a water body at home. This act is also believed to invite spiritual merits and long-lasting peace.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the benefits of praying to Ganga?
   Praying to and bathing in the Ganga is believed in Hinduism to cleanse sins, cure diseases and grant Moksha.
2. Can females do Ganga Aarti?
   Yes, females can and do perform Ganga Aarti.
3. Why did Ganga kill her seven sons?
   Ganga drowned her first seven sons to free them from a curse by the sage Vashishta who condemned them to live a miserable life as mortals.