The river Ganga is venerated by the Hindus as a mother as well as a goddess. In the Ganga Dussehra festival ten days are devoted to the worship of the river Ganga. This festival is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha. People from all parts of India come to the bathing ghats along the Ganges to take a holy dip in the river.

According to the Agni Purana and Padma Purana, Gangavataran or the Ganga descended to the earth on Ganga Dussehra day and a bath in the holy river on this day is said to purify one of all sins. To die on the banks of the Ganga is considered most auspicious. If that is not possible, then the immersion of the ashes after cremation in the river Ganga is a must, as it then releases one from the cycles of birth and re-birth. People believe that bathing in the Ganges on the occasion will help them attain salvation and will liberate them from the wheel of birth and death. Devotees touch the river water, bathe in it and take the river clay home to venerate.

In Haridwar, aartis are performed at twilight and devotees meditate on the river banks. Ganga jal (water) is kept in sealed pots in homes by the devotees and is used on sacred days in sanctifying places. People, who cannot reach Ganga banks on this day, bathe in some nearby tank or river invoking Ganga by chanting her name and offering prayers to her.