According to Hindu mythology, the Ganges River in India originally flowed only in heaven. In the form of a goddess, Ganga, the river was brought down to earth by King Bhagiratha in order to purify the ashes of his ancestors, 60,000 of whom had been burned under a curse from the great sage Kapila. On Ganga Dussehra, the 10th day of the waxing half of the month of Jyestha, Hindus able to reach the Ganges take a dip in the river to purify their sins and remedy their physical ills. Those who live far away from the Ganges immerse themselves in whatever river, pond, or sea they can get to on this day. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary