page_title: Holy water
section_title: Hinduism
hierarchical_section_title: Holy water / Other religions / Hinduism
caption_attribution_description: A public prayer in the River Ganges in the Indian holy city of Haridwar.
context_page_description: Holy water is water that has been blessed by a member of the clergy or a religious figure. The use for cleansing prior to a baptism and spiritual cleansing is common in several religions, from Christianity to Sikhism. The use of holy water as a sacramental for protection against evil is common among Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Christians.
context_section_description: In Hinduism, water represents God in a spiritual sense which is the central theme in Mantra Pushpam from Taithreeya Aranyakam of Yajur Veda. Bathing in holy water is, thus, a key element in Hinduism, and the Ganges is considered the holiest Hindu river.
caption: A Hindu public prayer in the River Ganges
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