Ganges, the holy river.

“If only the bone of a person should touch the waters of Ganges, that person shall dwell – honored in heaven”. The Mahabharata.

Puranas, the Ramayana, and even the Vedas mention The River Ganges. This is considered the holiest river in India. From the time of the Vishnu Dharma Shastra in the third century AD, Ganges has played a vital role in Hindu ceremonies. As civilisation grew on its banks and cities rose, Ganga became more a part of Hindu ethos. For them it is more than a mere river. For them it is a mother, a goddess, a tradition, a culture and much more. Millions of Hindus venerate the Ganges as a "life-giving river". To them the Ganges is sacred. They call it Gangamai, meaning "Mother Ganges." They believe that bathing in its waters washes away all sin. To die on its banks assures eternal peace to the soul.

"Mother Ganga" is described by ancient Hindu scriptures as a gift from the gods; that is, the earthly incarnation of the deity Ganga. "Man becomes pure by the touch of the water, or by consuming it, or by expressing its name," Lord Vishnu, proclaimed in the Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic composed four centuries before Christ.

From Devprayag to the Bay of Bengal, the Ganges flows some 1,550 miles, passing and giving life to some of the most populous cities of India, including Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkatta.

Hindus regard the Ganges as the holiest of rivers. It was named after the goddess Ganga, the daughter of the mountain god Himalaya. Bathing in this river is believed to wash away one’s sins! Water from the Ganges is used to cleanse any place or object for ritual purposes by Hindus. To bathe in the Ganges is a lifelong ambition for a Hindu.

When I took a boat ride in the Ganges and went from north to south along the banks of the river I got a fantastic idea about the way Hindus worship this great river. For centuries this river has been nurturing the life of people who lived on its banks, in spite of the maximum abuse by them because of the explosion of population and indiscriminate disposal of waste!

It is a total dichotomy! On one side they keep the river Ganges in their highest esteem! They treat it as Goddess and worship it. Worship it, by offering everything they can and by an elaborate “Aarthi” ceremony every evening for centuries. Seeing the Aarthi ceremony is a breathtaking experience in the evening. So much of reverence with such strong faith!

          

But the same Ganges is being treated in every possible dirty way! Anything and everything is dumped in this river. Some are disposed in a much organised way and some in the most disorganised way. I am unable to understand the psychology of these people! Do they think that she is capable of taking any amount of abuse and still remain pure and holy? Probably yes! With this sentiment as the core theme Raj Kapoor made a movie, way back in 1985. Ironically Mandakini got better mileage than the river Ganges out of this film. Although, I agree, Ganges does not need a Raj Kapoor to project her, his great ability of storytelling notwithstanding!!!

Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsa, is said to have described the pure white stream of the Ganga, gradually narrowing in size in the far distant landscape which appears to him like a necklace of pearls close fitting to the earth’s damsel - Ganga. I am not sure if he will still maintain this view, if he sees Ganges today! (OK I am not going to crib about the negatives of Ganges anymore that’s it and no more!)

It is an irrefutable fact that even today there is life in this River. Vibrant as ever and perennial for centuries! Life is buzzing with activity on its banks right from Rishikesh to Calcutta. Everyone has a purpose of visiting Ganges. Many come here with unshakable faith some come here with utmost curiosity! Whatever it is, it has been having the power to draw millions of people over centuries. Great indeed!

I had the greatest opportunity of seeing Ganges in her purest form in Rishikesh. From Rishikesh the pollution level of Ganges increases till it reaches its peak in Calcutta after travelling nearly 1400 miles. I have seen her in Rishikesh, Haridwar, Allahabad, Varanasi, Kanpur, Patna and finally at Calcutta. It is amazing how this river manages to consume every dirty thing on its way and still maintain its sanctity and glory! Truly the Ganges is the holiest of rivers in India!!!

It is believed that any water that mixes with even the smallest amount of Ganges water becomes holy with healing powers. Hindus also cast the ashes of their dead in the river with the belief that this will guide the souls of the deceased straight to heaven breaking the cycle of birth and reincarnation.

Many have written about how Ganges maintains its purity. Some scientific and others mythological! I am not capable of judging which one is correct! Whatever it is, the fact is, that Ganges still has pride of place among Hindus. Today every river is judged by the standards of this supreme river believed to be the epitome of sanctity and purity.

Despite the enormous pollution the river has absorbed in the last few decades, Ganga River continues to attract millions for the intense experience she provides -- be it a photographic opportunity or the opportunity to cleanse one's sins. Ganges is truly a supreme River!