Ganga is the Goddess of the Holy Ganges By Subhamoy Das Updated November 28, 2016. The River Ganges or Ganga is perhaps the holiest river in any religion. Though equally polluted, it bears immense significance to the Hindus. Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh in the Indian Himalayas at 4,100 meters above sea level and flows 2,525 km across northern India before meeting the Bay of Bengal in the east India and Bangladesh. As a river, the Ganga contributes to more than 25 percent of India's total water resources. Besides being a sacred river, Ganga is also worshiped as a deity in Hinduism and respectfully referred to as 'Gangaji' or 'Ganga Maiya' (Mother Ganga). About Goddess Ganga The various myths associated with Ganga and staunch Hindu beliefs associated with the river sanctify it as a goddess. Hindus view goddess Ganga as a fair complexioned beautiful woman wearing a white crown with a water lily and a water pot in her hands, and riding her pet crocodile.

The Hallowed River Hindus believe that rituals performed by the river Ganga multiply in their blessedness. The water of Ganges, called 'Gangajal' (Ganga = Ganges; jal = water), is held so sacred that holding this water in hand no Hindu dares to lie or be deceitful. The 'Puranas' or ancient Hindu scriptures say that the sight, the name, and the touch of Ganga cleanses one of all sins and taking a dip in the holy Ganga bestows heavenly blessings. The 'Narada Purana,' prophesied pilgrimages in the present Kali Yuga to the Ganges will be of utmost importance. Dying By the Ganges The land over which Ganga flows is regarded as hallowed ground. It is believed that those who die around this river reach the heavenly abode with all their sins washed away. The cremation of a dead body at the banks of Ganga or even casting the ashes of the deceased in its water is thought auspicious and leads to the salvation of the departed. The famous Ganga Ghats of Varanasi and Hardwar are known for being the holiest funeral detestation of the Hindus.

Ganga in Mythology The name of Ganga appears only twice in the Rig Veda , and it was only later that Ganga assumed great importance as a goddess. According to the 'Vishnu Purana,' she was created from the sweat of Lord Vishnu 's feet. Hence, she is also called 'Vishmupadi' - the one flowing from the foot of Vishnu. Another mythological tale states that Ganga is Parvataraja's daughter, and the sister of Parvati, Lord Shiva 's consort. A popular legend cites that Ganga was devoted to Lord Krishna in heaven, which made his lover Radha jealous, who cursed Ganga to go down to earth and flow as a river. Sri Ganga Dusshera/Dashami Festival Every summer, the Ganga Dusshera or Ganga Dashami festival venerates the auspicious occasion of the descent of the sacred river on earth from heaven. On this day, a dip in the holy river invoking the Goddess is said to cleanse all sins. A devotee worships by lighting incense and lamp and offers sandalwood, flowers, and milk. Fishes and other aquatic animals are fed flour balls.

The 7 Most Sacred Rivers of India The 7 Most Sacred Rivers of India The 7 Most Sacred Rivers of India The rivers of India are the main source of living of the Indian people. There are some major Rivers in India like, Ganga,Yamuna, Narmada, Mahanadi and Brahmaputra. Punjab-The land of five great river’s Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Every river of Punjab has its own significance and symbolic importance. The Himalayan rivers are best for white water sports like rafting and other river sports. The seven rivers are counted as the holy rivers of India, one of the most holiest river in India is Ganga or The Gange. Rivers are India’s lifeline and enjoy a special place in prayers and its traditional practices. Most of the holy places in India like, Varanasi, Haridwar, Talakaveri, Nasik, Ujjain and Patna are situated along with the bank of seven holy rivers. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati river.

A place of religious importance and the site for historic Kumbh Mela held every 12 years and Sadhu the holy men of India are gather here for holy bath from all over India. It is said that by taking a bath in the holy rivers, man can be freed from all the sins of his life. Apart form the rivers we Hindu also worship trees,stones and animals,we believed they are the forms of different deities. Top 10 Longest and Major Rivers of India Ganga River The Ganges, originates in the Himalayas at Gaumukh flowing into the bay of Bay of Bengal is the most sacred river of India and the longest river in India. The river has been declared as India’s “National River” and the Gange dolphins are also declared as the national aquatic animal of India. There are so many tributary to the Ganga like Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa and one of the major is the Ghaghara, which meets it before Patna. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it has has hundreds of temples so called “City of Temples” is situated along the banks of the Ganges.

There are two major dams in gange river one is The Haridwar dam and another is Farakka. One of the longest road bridge in India named as Mahatma Gandhi Setu is build on river Gange at Patna. The mouth of River Ganga forms a vast delta, the Sundarban delta the largest delta in the world, Also these river’s create some of the beautiful valley’s in India . Yamuna River Yamuna River is a major river and most polluted river of the Indian subcontinent, rising form Yamunotri in the Himalaya Mountains and merges with the Ganges at Triveni Sangam, Allahabad, the site for the Kumbha Mela. This is one of the country’s most sacred rivers, Gokul and Mathura on the other bank of the river are holy places for hindu. The Tons, Chambal and Giri rivers are the important tributaries of Yamuna,River Mandakini is the last tributaries of river Yamuna before it joins The Gange in Allahabad. The famous Taj Mahal is situated on the bank of the holy Hindu river Yamuna in Agra. One of the famous Naini Bridge builds across the Yamuna river.

Sarasvati River Saraswati is an ancient river that flowed in northern India during the vedic era. Although the river does not have a physical existence today, the ancient river lost in the desert. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati,of these three The legendary Saraswati River is invisible and is said to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below and the point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus. Narmada River The Narmada is one of the most sacred of the seven holy rivers of India. Narmada River originates from the Maikala ranges at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges in a generally southwestern direction and emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat or Gulf of Cambay, an inlet of the Arabian Sea India. The Narmada valley has many waterfalls, Dhuandhar waterfall and deepest waterfall Kapiladhara are best of them. Sardar sarover dam one of the India’s most controversial dam projects was builds across the Narmada river.

Narmada Bridge is the Longest Road Bridge in Gujarat. Narmada River is one of only three major rivers in peninsular India that runs from east to west along with the Tapti River and Mahi River. The Hindu God Lord Shiva Omkareshwar temple on the banks of Narmada river situated in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh also this district host India’s largest water reservoir known as IndiraSagar . Kshipra River The Shipra, also known as the Kshipra rises in the Vindhya Range north of Dhar and flows south across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River. It is one of the sacred rivers in Hinduism. The holy city Ujjain is situated on its right bank. Ujjain is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India and famous for one of the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India known as Mahakaleshwar. In every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela festival takes place on the city and millions of people take holy dip and bath in the holy river Shipra.

Godavari River The river Godavari originates near Trimbak in Nashik flows towards the Eastern Ghats into the Bay of Bengal. This second largest river is considered to be one of the big river basins in India. Kumbh Mela at Nashik is well known as an important center of Pilgrimage in India because the holy river Godavari. Godavari, the largest and the longest river of South India is popularly referred as to as the Dakshina Ganga. Jayakwadi dam is one of the largest earthen dams in India build across Godavari River in Maharashtra. Kaveri River Kaveri or Cauvery River is considered to be a very sacred river of southern India. It originates from the Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats flow towards the Bay of Bengal. This sacred river travels across the heartland of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is one of the major rivers of the Peninsular flowing east and running into the Bay of Bengal. The Mettur Dam is a large dam build across the Kaveri River. The beautiful shivasamudram falls of Kaveri river is the second biggest water falls in India .

Though the River Gange and Yamuna are holiest rivers of India but they are also in the list of one of the highly polluted Indian rivers along with small rivers and water stream flows from major Indian cities. This is a great source of information about India, really great… Keep up the good work William Wiens Great article, Thanks for the helpful information! shreya I like it very much poercodet Useful blog website, keep me personally through searching it, I am seriously interested to find out another recommendation of it. Smit Hi, Anybody can tell me about how many days will it take if I wanted to visit a minimum of 3 of the Sacred Rivers. E.g. Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. Thanks in advance Hello Smit, Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati, it will take couple of day’s to visit. If you want to visit the origin of the these rivers it may take time. Thanks for your interest. Only one day once you reach to Allahabad (U.P.) sheetal Good job…..the information on primary basis is just perfect. For me it proved much helpful.

Thanks for the same……keep it up Prahallad Dear If possible try to give some correct data regarding rivers of India in each and every state in tabular manner or point wise. Very good, it must be help full to all for enhancement of knowledge. Hi Prahallad, Sure will do. dev sachdeva dear i belive u forget few river which flows in punjab who has theirown significance nd people have belief in them. Thank for pointing, i have added river’s of Punjab in first paragraph.

Nil hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Jerry Hood Septahindu-the craddle of India civilisation consists from Punjab(5)rivers and Doab(2)rivers,as the Septahindu,(of 7 rivers)but also the Maya calendrical cycle of 52…Maya Creator,Hunab Ku consists of 5+2 letters…In Christian Bible,Jacob(Israel)has 13 children with 4 women:13×4=52…Maya,as well as Yama has the hebrew gematria value of its name 52…Yama is not only the god of the dead,but also the supermassive Blach Hole in our cosmic ‘River of Life’-Milky Way,the Ganges and Yamuna copy on the ground…The mesoamerican/mexican predecessors of the Maya(of living god)known as the black “Olmecs”should be correctly called as the Yama people(since they had died out),hence as Benu Yamina-the biblical Benjaminites!

Doab,the conflunce of Ganges and Yamuna is thehindu local copy of Mesopotamia in Milky Way with its confluence in the Dark Rift,where is located the Black Hole(Yama)today known by the astronomers as CygnusX1=the Swan(which is a sacred bird for many cultures,including England,where is Swan the sacred bird of their queen).Sinai peninsula is also a copy of Mesopotamia in Milky Way,just as the Mesopotamia of Irak,between Tigris and Euphrates…The Incas(Acni in India,backwardly)are known as the children of Sun,and their Mesopotamia was located in Cuzco,in the confluence of Tullumayo and Huatanay rivers with its golden temple of Coricancha…Only look around and you will see many local copies of the cosmic Mesopotamia-confluence of two rivers…Manhattan island in New York City is local masonic and zionist copy of Mesopotamia as well,and WTC1+WTC2+US Stock market buildings usedto copy the 3 stars of the Belt of Orion,also known as Min or Tav…Yama is the Black Hole

,female yonic stargate,and Min or Tav in Orion is the male lingam cosmic stargate…The Hebrew Magen David are these stargates in CREATIVE/PROCREATIVE UNION (of 69=sex)…The Doab golden point is the golden city of Shiva,known as varan and nasi(dragon-serpent)Varanasi/Benares/Kashi…Ben Aries point of spring equinox,and Kashi as city of light…The ancient city of Olympia,in Greece is also located in the confluence(Mesopotamia)of Greek rivers Alpheios and Kladeios…The cosmic Mesopotamia has usually the form of female lap,but sometimes also as a male lap…See the Egyptian Valley of Kings and Queens…Such Valleys has also ancient India,China,Angkor Vat,Machu Picchu of Incas,and so on…In China it is Changling and Dingling Valley of Emperors and Empresses…The Ganges is about 2268 km long river.It is galactic number of wave lenght in Milky Way-just another point of union of your Ganga Ma (Ganges)with the cosmic river-Milky Way with her Golden Point

…Remember the main architect of the Twin Towers was Minoru Yamasaki from Seattle…Min & Yama…Seven(7) as sacred cosmic number is the Head number…Nine(9)is the Tail number…Your neighbour to the east,Myanmar(Burma)has 9 rivers,known as Iravati( with Vat/Tav),and in Yankoun(Rangoon)it is the famous Shwedagon as Shiva’s Dagon(Lingam)…In Bible is also the Fillistine god,Dagon(IISamuel-book).DGN has the gematria value of 43.50;D=4;G=3;N=50…Exactly this slope has the smallest,red granite pyramid of Minkaure in Giza,Egypt,but also the solar pyramid in Teotihuacan,Mexico…The christian Catholic and eastern Orthodox church has the phallic(lingam)shape…The Hebrew Synagogue is Greek name for lunar temple-Sin(hence also the Sinai peninsula in female lap shape),Hebrew name for Synagogue is Minge/Minha the female yoni…Now you know why do you have the lingam and yoni temples of India,but also on

 global scale… Jerry Hood All the Hindu people,remember,your spiritual purification shall occur in the cosmic river(Milky Way)in her cosmic womb-double centre,the place our spirits ascends,and not in the polluted earthly river of Ganges (Ganga Ma),or any other rivers on earth..

Enjoy the World Oh! Great truth revealed! Go search for your soul first and worry about others later. VINAY KUMAR I love my India, its everything to me The Ganga River, one of the Most Beautiful and sacred river of India and I LOVE MY COUNTRY. Rio Hi everybody i love this article #rio is awesome $$. Man. KjK. – abhishek The River Gange,Yamuna and Narmada. Robin Hood Chasing the Sacred: Down the Ganges From Snow to Sea – PROOF Eugene June 5, 2016 Interesting that just lately I found out about Colorado river that never reaches the gulf of California due to overusing it by people. I guess it could be a good example how humans can destroy a river. Even Ganges is much bigger it faces the same challenges. India and Bangladesh population is still growing fast. The River simply can’t keep up with it. Sad but besides much needed money people need to change their minds adding to pollution and knowingly destroying the river by their belief that it can handle damage easily Victoria Sibelu June 4, 2016 Very interesting article. I do find the paradox quite fascinating.

I have never thought about the idea that each step of the process, people are potentially killing the river from the source to the ocean. People believe so strongly that the river is God and yet each year spend several days throwing trash and debris into the waters that provide them life. Very fascinating and intriguing. Thank you for your article. Dr. Chandrika Sankaran April 27, 2016 I enjoyed reading the article. I was reminded of my trip to Haridwar and Rishikesh. Excellent photos. Thank you for sharing. Rakeshva Maharaj January 22, 2015 Perhaps representations ought to be made by National Geographic Magazine to Prime Minister Modi on the issue of cleaning up the River Ganga. Afterall he said he would allocate millions of dollars to begin work on a clean-up project for the river. sanjay rathi Suman Mundkur September 29, 2014 I loved this article and amazing photos.

This reminded me of the time when I was about 10 or 12 yrs old, somewhere between 1976-1979, we were staying in Allahabad or Prayag, where river Ganga and river Yamuna join. At that time my father who was in the Army, had met the great Edmund Hilary. Edmund Hilary was on an expedition from Bay of Bengal to Gangotri by boat, if I recollect correctly. It was a huge moment for all of us…we even have a small black and white photo of Edmund Hilary when he reached Allahabad. That expedition was not successfully completed. I think they abandoned it somewhere near Haridwar. leta rosetree September 24, 2014 Ma Ganga has been my teacher from 1999 – My capacity to love is bounded by limitations I create… arun kottur Peter McBride September 9, 2014 Again – thanks all for the thoughtful comments and stories. I hope to continue documenting the river and plan to finish a film about it by 2015.

If interested, you can find info about it soon on: Reeti Sarma Sweetman August 31, 2014 I had only just read a book that described the efforts of people who strove to find the origins of the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus (A mountain in Tibet – by Charles Allen) and then chanced to read your superbly written article and pictures that said it all. Reading the article and seeing your fascinating pictures, I too journeyd with you down the Ganges. Many many thanks for such a spiritual experience. A really well balanced view of fascinating article which underlines that for far too long we Indians have messed up our living Godess and what we need to do to clean up Ma Ganga. Thank you Mr Narendra Modi. May you be able to suceed where others have failed. To the brave and gifted team who enabled us to see the truth all I can say is Ma Ganga’s blessings be upon you for such an illuminating piece of truth.

Elizabeth Hott August 30, 2014 Having visited India in 2012 and actually been on the Ganges in Varanasi (placing marigolds on the water at dawn) I loved seeing all the pictures. India is a truly an amazing place, which stays with you – the people, the colors, the food, the aromas etc. In Jaipur within 100 yards I saw camels, elephants, monkeys, wedding horses, cows and wild pigs! India is unforgettable and it warms my heart to remember my visit. rajma August 28, 2014 The river has been a part of my formative years. It’s vast expanse was before me where I saw the numerous fishing boats and ships sail across. Sometimes I gazed in wonder at the small fishes darting across the water; the numerous crabs of all shapes and sizes amble along the muddy shores leaving behind small footprints; snakes that swam in its muddy grey waters; and the bottle nosed dolphins that just rolled over suddenly-one moment there, the next gone- as the waters closed up, calm and serene, and only the small eddy of a whirlpool remained.

The numerous fishing boats remained tethered haphazardly on her shores, their fishing nets adorning her seams like the trimmings of a lace, the huge ships leaving behind the small boats dancing on their wakes. I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets on the horizon , the sky filled with myriad colors, as if God had embarked on a painting project and the colors on the pallette changed with every stroke of the brush. I have watched the effluents from the industries muddy its waters, the stench overwhelming, pushing it towards its death slowly. Calm and serene mostly, dark , passionate and frothing in tumult, she has showered me with peace, tranquility, passion and above all, love. I keep going back to her in all my waking hours, she is like the Mother, the giver and the carer, forever with me. Thank you for the beautiful journey. Carlos Thanks for your words Rajma. Noel August 25, 2014 Your photos are amazing. They made me register for a tour. Thank you for fantastic visuals! Peter McBride August 25, 2014 Thank you all very much for you kind words and thoughtful comments.

Ann I would love to hear your students responses. To see more of our journey, see the following Proof blogs. It was an amazing journey—one that I feel very grateful to have experienced. BATMA COOPAMOOTOO THANKS. AMAZING JOURNEY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH. Chris August 23, 2014 a very.. interesting .. article to say the least.. though i’m not a Hindu we should ALL look to cleaning the Ganges River as one of the historic projects of our time .. if only to find a path to sustainable development and the preservation of the river for those who live there as well as those who call it holy Remi de Souza Commendable documentation! Thanks for sharing!! annie swann August 22, 2014 In 1989 I saw a dead body floating down the Ganges at Patna, Bihar, India, and realized what the sacred river means to the people there. It was distressing at first, but then comforting, as it was clear that the body was just a shell of a greater consciousness. Laura Plumb Thank you, Pedro. You are a gift to our world.

Rebecca August 21, 2014 Thanks for sharing your journey. I hope the sacred river can get the help it deserves. My prayer is that we wake up all over sacred mother earth to the destruction humans are doing. Namaste! Sreehari August 20, 2014 Simply great …no words …hope the government will take actions to clean the mighty Ganga …also need to work on nature awareness … ma. victoria t. calibara Simply awesome and beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. Carlos MacLean Carlos Prado: ¿Cambodia y Vietnam son “islas”?. Shure?. darimont jacques August 20, 2014 Très bon reportage qui soulève beaucoup de réflexions et questions…! J’en retiens que la majorité de la population n’est pas prête du tout pour la civilisation occidentale….Trop de religion ..! Il va falloir encore beaucoup de temps et d’éducation. Place aux jeunes !!! liliana Gracias! For sharing this journey! Beautifully done!!

Roy Masis August 19, 2014 Realmente excelente vídeo, las imágenes y descripción de lo que significa el río Ganges para los Indues, hace dos años tuve la oportunidad de conocer y compartir su cultura y su gastronomía y estar en Veranase observando os rituales que ellos hace en el río su río sagrado. carlos prado August 19, 2014 concuerdo con que sería interesante seguir los ríos que nacen en el Himalaya….. pero cambodia y Vietnam son islas y no tienen nada que ver con el Himalaya. Nishant August 19, 2014 The question that will Ganga die,and along with it the Hindu culture offers yet another chance to dig deeper in the Hindu scriptures. Sages explain that in height of kaliyug or dark ages it only river Narmada which will is blessed to survive and along with it the Indian civilization at seed scale. The contemporary question is how long human effort as expressed in Narendra Modi’s zeal can delay the prophetic fate of a devine river?

bhawana somaaya outstanding, you can feel the energy and the ambience Rakeshva Maharaj August 19, 2014 Thank you for your article and the pictures therein. Here’s a little story which I would like to share…. Whilst a student of Bangalore University in 1973, I was walking down Brigade Road, in Bangalore one day, when I bought a copy of a National Geographic (Reference Vol.140, No.4, October 1971) from a street vendor selling books, papers and magazines on the pavement. The main feature in the magazine was titled “India’s River of Faith, The Ganges” by John J Putman, photography by Raghubir Singh. I was especially moved by the beautiful photos, especially of a photo in the article of the late Swami Sharadananda, a Hindu asectic, who for 14 years had lived in a cave at Gangotri, a days walk from the source of Ma Ganga. Swamiji was photographed lifting water toward the sun in a Hindu ritual signifying “purity of body and soul”.

I immediately made up my mind that after completing my university studies and before I returned to my home in the Fiji Islands in the far South Pacific Ocean,I would make a pilgrimage to Gangotri as well as to try and meet Swamji if at all he was still there. To cut a long story short, I eventually did reach Gangotri..way back in 1973..and was blessed to finally meet Swami Shradananda at Gangotri. After a brief discourse he invited me to stay with him in his little ashram, which I did for almost two weeks. I also trekked all the way to the source of Ma Ganga at Gowmukh during my stay there. Swamji was a true Vedic Rishi. I learnt all that I could grasp from Swami Shradananda’s lectures and about his days living on the banks of the Ganga and the very important spiritual role Ma Ganga has in the life of not only every Hindu but also every human being! “Decrying materialism, he finds spiritual calm in meditation. He reveals his troubles to the river, he says, “like a child sitting in my mother’s lap..

Mother Ganges always answers” (Swami Sharadananda, NGM Vol.140,No.4 October 1971). Though today I am many thousands of miles away, and Swamiji, now departed, his teachings have never been forgotten and will forever remain within.. as does the ever-flowing sound of Ma Ganga. The photos that I had taken in the 1970’s during my trek to Gowmukh, Gangotri and of all the other places downstream are still very much treasured and revered today! So this little story was just a flash back, reminiscent of that time.. thanks to your recent article on the Ganga. Lets all hope and chant our mantras so that the powers that be clean Ma Ganga .. our sacred river. DEBASREE BANERJEE August 18, 2014 Kudos to the ‘westerner’ who came up with such an aesthetically, culturally, scientifically and environmentally significant topic. The Herculean efforts have indeed payed off, the set of photographs emerge as self-explanatory portraits of how blind faith, overuse, superstitions and little environmental concern can sully such a pure natural resource.

400 million lives, that’s it!! Human society has reaped off benefits from the womb of Mother Earth, but we still do not possess any steady plan for actual sustainable development. The decadence in overall human society is represented through the set of photographs. We hardly think of a tomorrow, let alone a better one. We have taken the plunge into calling ourselves civilized, but we have actually embarked upon an endless journey of depleting the planet of the last ounce of its resources. The picture documentary has once again inspired many people to be responsible citizens. Thank you! Khalid Ahmed August 18, 2014 I m from Pakistan we have the same land scap of gorges and ice but its so bad to see the level of polution here. Francisco de Leon August 18, 2014 Wonderful pictures, but we leave outside sannyasin’s meeting on Wesak’s night. Thank you for share this material I keep forever. Best wishes for you Carlos MacLean August 18, 2014 Muy buena nota periodistica. Excelentes fotos.

Siguiendo esa lìnea , una nota interesante sería ver el origen de los ríos que salen del Himalaya hacia varios países: China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, etc., y cómo ha afectado el cambio climático a los glaciares . B.P.Maiti August 18, 2014 A ritual done to portray a degenerated called Ganga-a holy river,an immortal name even to those breathing last.It an ethos to comprehend -not by scientific aids. Dave August 18, 2014 I would love to see and hear of community cleanups on the river; HOLY and otherwise. Nice story V. Balasubramanian August 18, 2014 What a treat. This piece will add o the educational resources for kids in schools. Education of children on our heritage and environment is the only hope to instill the environmental awareness to save our natural resources to save ourselves. Thanks. arun kottur August 18, 2014 Hon Narendra Modia in election manifesto assured clean Ganga.Supreme court is also interested in knowing GOVT plan.Common man like me continue to spectator. P. S.

Seshadri August 18, 2014 I will be following this journey very keenly since I have been to only Rishikesh and Hardwar when the river has already reached the plains Arjun Singh Chouhan August 18, 2014 Wonderful article… I’d like to comment upon a question that you’ve asked in your article, Ïf physical river dies what happens to the siritual river?… according to our scriptures the Ganga descended upon the earth for a limited period (about 5,000 years) ….

once that is over the Ganga would go back to her heavenly abode… which essentially means that the soul of the river will not be there anymore… what would remain probably be only its physical residue…it appears that has either happened or is about to happen … Like the Ganga in the north there is another mughty river that flows through the plains of central India… which is as revered and life line for as many lives around it as is the Ganga and that river is the Narmada… it is one of the very few rivers that flow from east to the west… the majority flow either from the north to south or west to east… the Narmada originates from Amarakantak in the east and meets the Arabian sea in the west Prof.AALN SARMA Neenu August 18, 2014 A very well written article. Yes, if the river dies it would be a huge blow to all Hindus. It is not merely a river but “mother” to us. Mohindra Chadha August 18, 2014 Very nice and expressive pictures. The new government under Mr. Modi as P.M. has launched upon a Herculean task of cleaning up the river Ganges.

Wish him success in this daunting task!! What is required is to respect cleanliness as a part of a cultural trait. Thigambaram Chinniah Don’t worry guys Lord Siva will clean the Ganga Ma very soon nana August 18, 2014 I liked these highly professional, beautiful pictures. It is a great ancient country and Indian people are generous and friendly . I visited India in the late 1990s I think that it is one of the most wonderful and interesting countries in the world! I would be delighted to see articles and photos of this kind again! Thank you! Dr.M. A. Haque August 18, 2014 Ganga is polluted day in and day out. There have been various schemes and projects to clean Ganga. But all of them failed on account of corruption. Entire money was ‘eaten’ by politicians, contractors, engineers, bureaucrats. Most of the time the politicians or their family members turned contractors to make money unlimited. On the one hand people say Ganga is sacred. They will fold their hands and say Namste to Ganga. On the other hand they loot the funds meant for Ganga. What a contradiction and hypocrisy.

Ravindra Rahulkar Wonderful journey and information,beautiful images,Great efforts,thanks for sharing… SURESH GOKHALE August 18, 2014 The extraordinary video & photos,appreciate the efforts of entire team for highlighting the present status of our Ma Ganga.We are ashamed of playing with environment for past so many decades.It also shows the toughest task ahead of Govt. NGOs & local administration to conduct awareness programs o the people & Pollution control boards along with local administration to take stern action against the industries /businesses who are polluting Ma Ganga, unfortunately in our country very rarely people bother about our National interest.I remember the story of a Hen laying gold egg in this regards.Let every one of us decide to keep our surroundings clean & environment friendly which will save crores of rupees in future.It is not correct to expect all corrective actions from govt. only otherwise our future is very bad. kate Moss Ros Lindley August 18, 2014 Having spent much time in India, and the longest of them at RamGhulam, Rishikesh – these series of photographs depict a true essence of Mother Ganga..

thank you for a wondrous trip down my personal spiritual lane. Ted Bowles August 18, 2014 nice river. The only problem is the people that treat it as a tip. Holy? don’t make me laugh. Religion poisons EVERYTHING. arun kottur August 18, 2014 In the past Hon Rajiv Gandhi tried to clean Ganga without success.Let us hope Hon Narendra Modi will make it Arvind An eternal journey from heavens to earth! Viswanathan Seshadri A very good article. Let us Indians start cleanse Ganga in earnest. Gauravmies August 17, 2014 Yes, it looks dirty as it is a live River where millions survive for their livelyhood; it needs regular maintenance just like our back yard pool.It is a matter of cleaning the two shores of the vibrant water flow…..regarding the sanctity & importance of this river, one has to be an Indian, a devout Hindu may be….. K. Nagu An amazing journey which can transform the innerself. Thanks for this.

Smriti August 17, 2014 Thank you for the beautiful pictures and amazing video…your experience and the recount have helped share and explain some of the problems this sacred river of India faces with my children in an educational and thought provoking manner. We look forward to reading about the entire journey. Ann Coletta Doyle August 17, 2014 Pete, I am teaching in Shanghai. My students find a particular fascination with the Ganges River when we study India in Western Asia. Words cannot express my admiration and gratitude for this exceptional picture story and commentary on the “whole” Ganges. I will send you feed back from my students. jay esprit August 17, 2014 Unless the leaders in the socio-economic, political, religious and cultural fabric of India and other third world countries whose major rivers are becoming more and more polluted, and pull in their resources in reviving ecologically their rivers, the life of million human beings and the planet earth is threatened and survival becomes the main preoccupation of the poor and powerless.

Mark Spiegel August 17, 2014 For all you oh so clever trolls who don’t believe a river can be sacred or holy and denigrate those who do, if you are not Hindu and have never been there shut up! You don’t know what you are talking about. Susana Carrillo Michele Hensley August 17, 2014 Obviously, many commenters who criticize the pollution of the Ganges didn’t read the entire article. They must have missed the statement that, since the Ganges is holy, it cannot be tarnished by pollution of any type. ELENA GONZALEZ August 17, 2014 deberían tratar de limpiar el rio ganges espero que el nuevo Ministro Narendra Modi cumpla con lo que ha prometido. limpiar el Ganges. Verity August 17, 2014 Having been to India I understand the importance of the Ganga to the people of India. However, for the river to be ” cleaned” the attitudes of the people will need to change. The level of pollution throughout India is extreme. Change will take time. Can the Ganga survive that long?

lesincanada August 17, 2014 How “sacred” can it be, if they’re only too willing to crap it up like that? Sort of equivalent to relieving oneself on a church altar. SATHEESCHADRANPANICKER VERY NICE PICTURES AND INFORMATIVE NARRATION Dr.sumita August 17, 2014 I hail from Allahabad the city of the “sangam” the confluence of the Ganga,Yamuna, and saraswathy. I don’t live there anymore , but I visit every year. Nothing else embodies the Indian ethos mor than the Ganges. While all over the worked rivers , lakes forests and parks have been converted to national monuments and heritage , the Ganges is struggling to stay alive and breathe among the people of this country . The state of the river reflects the land it courses through . The most populated, uneducated and politically corrupt regions of the country. How then can the river ave itself …?? Wishing the modi government all the best . Jim Buck August 17, 2014 What a tragedy that Hindus come to a polluted river to worship.

I pray that they will find salvation in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. JESUSJAY, the spiritual journalist August 17, 2014 Congratulations to the team and producers of this extraordinary article, the video is truly spectacular and the images wow!, well….It’s National Geographic! …..a comment about cleaning the earth and its waters, if the river is God, if the river is Holy, if we come from the water, why are we so unconscious that we are trashing the earth disrespecting GOD– the Greatest Omnipresent Divinity– who showered us with blessings and gave us a wonderful planet that we so blatantly have destroyed? “DO NOT throw trash on the Earth that gave you birth.”TSJ Arash August 17, 2014 به نظرم اين فقط يك رودخانه نيست در مسير اين رود رخدادهاي اجتماعي فرهنكي فراواني مثل تجمع مردم، دعا كردن و درخواست از خدا، قرباني كردن همه دارايي و …..

راشاهد هستيم كه به بركت وجود اين رودخانه است. از توجه خوب عكاس و عكس هاي خوبش متشكرم. Dick Hepworth August 17, 2014 The river is sacred, Ganga sits on the head of Shiva and the waters flow down his tangled hair to the sea. Three mighty river originate from the same area, Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. Many other rivers are sacred, although many of us that are not indigenous don’t realize it. Nice article want to see it all A. O’tayo Lalude, MD August 17, 2014 Excellent piece. In addition to educating me about Ma Ganga and its importance in Indian life, it gave me a thrill that therapeutically buoyed my mind. Thank you for knowledge transfer to all readers and me. Robert Evans August 17, 2014 Early in the picture set I was very impresses with the beauty and power of the Rivers flow.

Man has disrupted this for his own benefit causing the river to loose the natural protection to keep it healthy, Sacred or not man should be ashamed of themselves for not protecting the river more. I do not blame just the great peoples of India. All over the World Man has and continues doing the same thing to it’s rivers and Oceans. When are we going to smarten up and start caring about our World, it’s streams, rivers, lakes.oceans and all the creatures living in them. WE SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED AS SOON IT WILL BE TO LATE. MrsB August 17, 2014 Wow! What a story. It’s amazing what endurance other people are subjected to and it makes me so grateful to live where I do. Payers go out to the many displaced familes in that remote corner of the world. Francis Pereira August 17, 2014 A beautiful attempt to introduce the complexities of the relationship between a billion Indians and their most sacred river.

Aline Dobbie August 17, 2014 I grew up in India sometimes living very close to Ganga and I adore that sacred river; I have been high up at Rishikesh and Hardwar, then at Unchagaon, then Varanasi, Monghyr in my youth and down at Kolkata on the Hoogly. It is huge heartening that PM Modie is determined to clean up Ganga – the Ganges and not before time. This beautiful life giving river must return to her beauty and by doing that India will signal her maturity as a nation..also the Yamuna another sacred river. I also love the Narmada which is clean and beautiful. Victor Ramautar August 17, 2014 Your story is as refreshing as the first time I visited India years ago, sailed along the Holy Ganga in Varanasi and took my first mouthful of cold water from the river. Refreshing indeed. Beautifully documented. Thanks Rohan Das August 17, 2014 I learnd from a show on nat geo that scientist have found radon in ganga so water of ganga are free from many germs and microbes.

Even in older timer i.e. during the time of Rabindranath Tagore, people used to store Ganga water for drinking directly !! Its the only river in earth with radon in its water. And for this peculiar property of being free of germ, we Indians consider Ganga as our Ma – Mother. Jocelyne Aird-Bélanger What about the ST-Lawrence River- more and more polluted between 2 very advanced countries….??????? Shashi Kassen August 17, 2014 This journey is daunting but adventurous.Going on a Yatra (pilgrimage) to the Ganges is symbolic of going back to our source .Thanks for an insightful description of a (spiritual) sojourn. Shashi.Johannesburg,South Aftrica. Sujata August 17, 2014 Hindus are not vegetarian. Just the Hindu Brahmins in some parts of the country are. We, for example, are Bengali Hindus numbering several hundred millions and we adore eating fish !

Ana Flores August 17, 2014 Loved this story, and the photos .Didn’t know much about this Sacred beautiful river, hope it gets cleaned up, as well as other waterways in need of conservation! Syed Zafrul Hafiz August 17, 2014 The sacred Ganges is really becoming polluted because of our carelessness as well as the governments apathy.To clean it needs big budget as well as people’s awareness. ML Kristian August 17, 2014 Thank you–wonderful story. I have great hopes in restoration of the Ganges. I spent some time in Dharavi and if the massive recycling that they do, did not exist it would be horrific pollution all over Mumbai. They do it there…they will find the way for this.. Michael Grant August 17, 2014 I look forward to buying the book and/or video, and I hope a portion of the proceeds will go towards fighting the pollution. We’ve been to India and witnessed the astonishing contrasts between filth and beauty first-hand — this talented team captured it with clarity and eloquence. Let’s hope it makes an impact.

Suraj Prakash Singh August 17, 2014 Though I have visited Ganga several times at several points this photo article took me as if it is my newest and biggest journey along the holy river. Heartiest thank to Mr. Pete Mcbride and others who made it possible. Omer Zeki August 17, 2014 The Ganga may be polluted but it represents an enormous slice of the life around it. Beautiful story and images, irrespective of the content. I just wish that the video did not consist of 1-2 second snapshots. In a more relaxed shape and more relaxed editing, this video would be up there with Baraka in its beauty and splendor. Thanks for a great piece of art and story-telling. Omer. David Murton August 17, 2014 A timely gift. I am currently sharing with friends a story of the Ganges from The Teaching Company. This is a perfect supplement to the geologic story. Anna Grace Foster August 17, 2014 I do think that many (most?) westerners have trouble understanding India. I lived there with my young children and husband, teaching at the University of Rajasthan.

We loved it, even with all its uncomfortable life. The rivers are veins of the country. Difficult for clean-frantic Americans to understand. We were healthier that year than usual. Lynne Hazlip A beautiful pictorial essay. Thank you! Dr, M.A. Siddique August 17, 2014 While going through Peter McBride’s article on Down the Ganges From Snow to Sea, I was feeling like traveling from Haridwar to Sagar Island. The picture showing 3 ft of fresh snow above 16,000 ft, and the picture of Bhagarathi river – a source river of the Ganges are amazing. I invite the attention of Peter Mc Bride to cover the other down-stream of Ganges going through Bangladesh both during the rainy and winter seasons. Daniel What it’s so special with this river Holy is unacceptable. maziel August 17, 2014 If they can clean up NY Harbor enough for whales, dolphins and harbor seals to return – humanity can clean up the Ganges! Start w/a recycling program.

Jacques Lafortune August 17, 2014 I have seen this geat river as well as the thousands who live by its shores, bathe in it, pray to it. One of the many reasons why one would want to visit India, a fantastic country. This photo essay is beautiful and inspiring. Congratulations to all who have made it possible. Taher Yamani August 17, 2014 It is excellent and eyeopening,Sacred rever who cleanes our sins, what we have done to her? Dipanjan Mitra August 17, 2014 It is amazing how in the name of religion and religious beliefs, this amazing river is being polluted hopelessly. That is so clearly evident when one goes to the pilgrim sites through which the Ganges flows. These sites all are “religious business hubs”, now. Noel August 17, 2014 India’s people may learn ‘now is the time to heal the sins placed upon Ma Ganga’ with $ from international patrons. Average education 2nd grade reading level and rampant poverty hold back solutions. I love India and visit with some tourist company every year.

A wondrous place and I can’t get enough. Thank you for your intrepid PROOF odyssey – I can’t wait to read every entry! bharath natarajan that is very beautiful pic . Rashid Khan August 15, 2014 Beautiful pictures of magnificent and mighty river Ganga running across the breadth of India, covering more than 2500 km. Once the cleanest and fastest flowing river, has now turned into one of the most polluted rivers on the planet earth because of massive damming and diversion of its natural flow in upper reaches thereby reducing its flow drastically on one hand, and enormous discharge of wastewater and garbage at major urban center on the other hand. The river has enormous Hindu religious significance and important ritual are being carried out almost throughout the year, specially at Varanasi, which has further deteriorated its quality. All attempts over last three decades to clean it and restore its original physico-chemical and biological characteristics have miserably failed. Again now the new government has again embarked upon a massive plan to clean it but as long as its natural flow is not restored and sufficient amount of water round the year is not made available, the situation will remain grim.

Once sufficient water is made available, it will automatically take care of pollution load downstream as per well known principle of pollution science “solution of riverine pollution lies in dilution”. This appears to be remotest possibility, under the present socio-economic situation. Scientifically, there is not much hope of its ecological restoration. Let us pray for a miracle Soumen Ganguly August 15, 2014 India is the one of the oldest civilizations of millions and Ma Ganga as we call her is the core of Indians and is the lifeline. Naturally it cleanses so much of darts one can ever think living in a lessly populated European or in American countries.Ganges will flow with the spirit of the Indians. Jai Ho. Lim Shi Yee August 9, 2014 Absolutely wonderful pictures! Thanks for putting in so much effort in sharing with us all these interesting and educational experiences. Keep up the great job! Fawaz Ereksousi Very nice Pic , Thank You very much Sperello August 7, 2014 Nice enterprise!

It would have been even nicer, if it had cited the fact that most sacred rivers in the area, including Indus and Tsang-Po/Brahmaputra, originate from Mount Kailash (see the map in ~sperello/KailashRiversMap.jpg ). In fact, also the Karnali/Gogra, a main tributary of the Ganges, comes from Kailash. kaustav though ‘ganga ‘ river is unhealthy , the river is holy and it will remain so . RAMA KULKARNI August 6, 2014 It was a crystal clear understanding of river Ganga as the waters of Ganga at its source… Beautifully written and captured images of Ganges.. D Kelly August 5, 2014 Went on a Ganga river trip in the early 90’s with Snow Leopard Adventures, rafting the Baghi & the Ganga. By far the most terrifying part of the trip was the drive through the Himalyan foothills to the put in. Fabulously beautiful, peaceful, & serene trip. Unfortunately, was also sicker than a dog near the end of the trip and then again on the flight home.

Anti-amoeba meds took care of the first one, so thought I was home free and packed the antibiotics….mistake, big mistake! Keep both handy until you get home! Renae Yellowhorse August 5, 2014 After this river journey, would you consider a return to the Colorado, specifically to the Confluence of the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers in the Grand Canyon… there is a threat to this sacred area by a proposed gondala tram and tourist trap at the East Rim of the Grand Canyon on the ancestral lands of the Dine` (Navajo) ….. see more at Dawn Beasley August 5, 2014 What luck that I should find you on the first day of the journey! Wait a moment while I put on my boots to join you 🙂 Kalpagopal It definitely needs cleaning up! Life line of India! Azhar Panni August 5, 2014 Many water flows are just rivers but Ganges is much more. A history, religion, faith, life and death of course in its might . Great job done for educating all the rest. Thank you. valsa k p karunan Salute your dedication to this very challenging mission. Truly appreciate your effort.

Thank You! Haili Li August 5, 2014 The heavy pollution of the River Ma Ganga rings bell. It comes from so pure and so clean from the source and washes people’s sin, eases people’s needs and takes peoples’s desire all the way down. Maybe it will die. So it’s great to have it documented. Beautiful! Martha Campbell August 5, 2014 Beautiful imagery of the power this arterial watershed holds for such a poor yet vibrant country. I am curious to see the follow through this new administration has in restoring its health. It will take systemic infrastructure changes in India, which to date the country’s leadership has traditionally neglected. Chris Fletcher August 5, 2014 Absolutely beautiful images and words. It already feels like a great adventure as well as important undertaking. Can’t wait for see this story unfold. Sandhya Naik Beautiful. Hope to see Ganga clean and sacred again. Great effort on your part. charles larsen August 5, 2014 When in India I was surprised at the high level of pollution. It will take hundreds of millions and education/attitude to change.

Glenn Johnson August 5, 2014 It’s a great experience that people will not be able to view and feel for them selves. Thank You Ananda Malalatunga August 5, 2014 Greatest Sacred River in the Planet.Happy that many programes are on the card to clean the river down Kanpur and especially Varanasi .and to introduce a Boat Service for Tourism.Excellent idea if they do it early. Aditi Wadia August 4, 2014 Challenges and charisma.. what a paradox. Thanks for sharing beautiful photographs. All the best for such expeditions. J. Edwards August 4, 2014 What a nice educational piece and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing experiences many would never be able to see. Although it came with challenges it must have been a pleasure. Cinne Worthington Millions of Hindus plunge into Ganges River in India to wash away their sins - Telegraph India Millions of Hindus plunge into Ganges River in India to wash away their sins Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ascetics with ash smeared on their bodies plunged into the frigid waters of India's holy Ganges River on Monday in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins.

9:31AM GMT 14 Jan 2013 Comments The ceremony in the northern city of Allahabad took place on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days. The festival continues until March 10. Top festival official Mani Prasad Mishra said nearly 3 million people had bathed by late morning and 11 million were expected to enter the frigid water by the day's end. Indian Hindu holy men, or Sadhus, run into the water at the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (AP) Over 110 million people are expected to take a dip at the Sangam, the place where three rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – come together at the edge of this North Indian city. There are six auspicious bathing days, decided by the alignment of stars, when the Hindu devout bathe to wash away their sins and free themselves from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Related Articles Hindu piercing festival 21 Jan 2011 A sea of humanity assembled on the river bank as people waited patiently for their turn to step into the water. Men in underpants, women in saris and children – naked and clothed – chanted from Hindu scriptures as they walked into the icy-cold water. The bathing process was initiated by religious heads of different Hindu monasteries who reached the bathing points, called ghats, riding silver chariots. Some were carried on silver palanquins, accompanied by marching bands. Applause rose from tens of thousands of pilgrims waiting behind barricades as the religious heads set off the ceremony. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) The heads of the monasteries threw flowers on the devotees as they shouted "har har gangey," or Long Live Ganges. The biggest spectacle was that of the Naga sadhus, or ascetics, who raced to the river wearing only marigold garlands in a cacophony of religious chants. About 50,000 policemen have been deployed to keep order at the festival, fearing everything from terrorist attacks to the ever-present danger of stampedes of pilgrims.

Several squads policemen on horseback regulated the flow of pilgrims to and from the bathing ghats. (REUTERS/Ahmad Masood) According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns – Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela is organised four times every 12 years in those towns. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. If they bathe at Ganges on the most auspicious day of the festival, believers say they can rid themselves of their sins. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) Tens of thousands of pilgrims slept the night on the vast festival grounds in more than 1 million tents – green, blue, and brown – erected all over, while many huddled together under trees.

Some 20,000 makeshift lavatories have been have been erected, while 10,000 sweepers have been deployed to keep this makeshift tent town clean. Source: AP Rivers, Goddesses and Hindus on Pinterest Forward Map of Vedic India - The position of the Kuru Kingdom in Iron Age Vedic India - Kurukshetra War - (Details given are according to the epic Mahabharata) Date: Various dates (6000 BCE – 500 BCE) - fought for 18-days. Location Kurukshetra, in modern-day Haryana, India Result: Victory for Pandavas and allies; Fall of Kauravas. Dhritarashtra abdicated the throne of Hastinapura and Yudhisthira succeeded him. The center of power in the Gangetic basin shifted from Kurus to Panchalas. See More

Question: Home to the world's largest river delta, what river is sacred to those of the Hindu religion?
Answer: Ganges