Ganges River

The Ganges is one of the deep rivers of India, 2700 km long. Translated from Sanskrit, Ganges means river.

Facts and legends about the Ganges

For more than 2 thousand years, the Ganges Valley has been the cradle of Indian civilization; the waters of the river nourish fertile soils, making it possible to feed a large population.
Since the very beginning of Indian civilization, the Ganges has been considered a sacred river and is mentioned in Indian literature. There are many interesting facts, myths and legends associated with the Ganges. One of the myths says that the Ganges was created as a result of washing the feet of the god Vishnu, who is one of the most revered gods of the Indian pantheon.

A bath in the Ganges washes away human sins

Since ancient times, the Ganges has been considered the holiest of all rivers. The river is personified as the goddess Ganga, who is depicted with four arms riding on a crocodile or dolphin. It is believed that bathing in the river brings absolution, good luck, and liberation from the cycle of life and death.

To achieve this, Hindus perform Kumbh Mela - rituals of mass pilgrimage to Hindu shrines located on the banks of the Ganges River. These are the cities of Gangotri, Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain and others. The entire embankment is like a kind of temple. Mass bathing in the waters of the Ganges becomes the culmination of the holiday; it symbolizes the cleansing of soul and body. The number of pilgrims from all parts of the world is such that there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the banks of the river. It is said that in Allahabad, over 30 million people took bath in just one day. Everything that happens makes an indelible impression on tourists who want to get here to see an unforgettable ceremony.

Ganges as an honorary cemetery

Many people know that Hindus do not bury, but cremate their dead. Ashes flutter over the water. The waters of the holy Ganges are the most desirable refuge for any Hindu. Since the population of India is very large - almost 1.4 billion people, each of whom dreams of finding a last refuge in the waters of the Ganges, the crematoriums do not stop working even for an hour. At the holy place in Varanasi, waiting for their turn at the bonfire, the corpses of the dead lie in rows, just like many centuries ago. Representatives of other religions are shocked by such a sight. And Hindus are simply fulfilling their duty, performing traditions and rituals that must be observed in relation to their ancestors.

The Hindu religion does not allow the corpses of cows, monks, pregnant women and children to be burned at the stake. Their “burial” occurs in a different way: a heavy stone is tied to the body, and it is lowered into sacred water. Some of the dead are not completely burned due to the high cost of firewood. After a purely symbolic burning procedure, the deceased is also sent to the river, because the Ganges accepts the dead in any form.

When you are on the banks of the sacred Ganges, you need to be prepared to see a body floating by. The most amazing thing is that local residents use water from the Ganges for household needs: washing, cooking, and even drink unboiled.