Ganga Dussehra which is celebrated every year will be celebrated on May 24 this year. This festival celebrates the descent of the river Ganges from the heavens. According to Hinduism Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth on this auspicious day. The festival takes place on the 10th day or Dashami of the third month of the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated over 10 days leading up to the 10th day or Dashami. Also Read - Final-year Examination: Allahabad University to Hold Exams in Online Mode | This is What Students Have to do

This year the Dashami tithi will begin at 19:12 on May 23 and will go on till 18:18 on May 23. Also Read - 'Wasn't Completely Naked': French Woman Arrested For Shooting Nude Video at Rishikesh's Laxman Jhula, Apologises

According to belief, if a devotee takes a dip on all 10 days leading up to Ganga Dussehra then the person would be rid of 10 types of sins. Also Read - Haridwar: Lightening Strikes Har Ki Pauri; Triggers Wall Collapse | See Pictures

Also, read: Know more about Ganga Dussehra through pictures

The festival goes on for 10 days and on the 10th day, Ganga Dussehra is celebrated. The festival is celebrated through the states where the river flows like Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, West Bengal and Bihar.

The cities like Haridwar, Allahabad, Rishikesh become key locations to celebrate the festival. People travel to these places especially for this auspicious time to perform prayers and pay their respects at the bank of the river Ganges.

The devotees take a customary dip in the river Ganga as it is believed that the river washes of all the sins and makes one pure. Ganga Dussehra is considered very auspicious and it is believed that taking a dip in the river also heals ailments.