Pilgrims bathing, puja on the ghats, cremation on the banks, high-rise temples, sadhus performing austerities—this scene repeats itself across the entire 1,560 miles of the Ganga from Gangotri to Gangasagar.
Millions of Hindus bathe in the Ganga’s holy waters to redeem themselves of all sins and be purified. Sri Ramakrishna called the Ganga’ Brahmavari,’ i.e., Brahman in the form of water.
He said, ‘Any person living on either bank of the Ganga has his heart changed into one like that of the gods, and virtues manifest therein of themselves.’ Shri Shankaracharya, too, praises the glory and redeeming power of the Ganga in his famous Gangashtakam.
Ganga Puja marks the descent of Goddess Ganga from heaven to earth. King Bhagiratha performed severe penances to bring Mother Ganga down to earth so that she could redeem his ancestors who were cursed to ashes by a sage.
When she descended from heaven, Lord Shiva received her in His matted locks, thus subduing her force. Then, Bhagiratha led her to his ancestors and to the ocean. On this sacred day, millions of devotees bathe in her sacred waters and perform worship with offerings of flowers and fruits.
River Ganga is the lifeline of India. Ganga has suffered from industrial effluents, sewage, and other pollutants that flow into her throughout her life for many decades.
In a landmark judgment by the Uttarakhand High Court dated 20 March 2017, Ganga and Yamuna are declared as juristic/legal persons/living entities. Both the rivers now have legal rights.