{"id":3414,"date":"2023-03-20T01:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T00:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=3414"},"modified":"2023-03-20T01:21:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T00:21:03","slug":"why-do-people-bathe-in-the-ganges-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/why-do-people-bathe-in-the-ganges-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do people bathe in the ganges river?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, millions of Hindus travel to the Ganges River to perform religious ceremonies and to bathe in the river’s sacred waters. For Hindus, the Ganges is much more than a body of water; it is a living goddess that is both the source of life and the destroyer of sin. The river is also seen as a place of pilgrimage, where people can go to cleanse themselves of their sins and to attain salvation.<\/p>\n

One reason people bathe in the Ganges River is because it is considered holy by Hindus. The river is believed to be the home of multiple deities, including Ganga, the goddess of the river, and bathing in it is seen as a way to connect with those deities. The Ganges is also thought to have purifying properties, and bathing in it is seen as a way to cleanse oneself both physically and spiritually.<\/p>\n

Is bathing in Ganga good? <\/h2>\n

However, a new study has found that bathing in the river can expose people to high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, which can cause diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and other gastrointestinal diseases.<\/p>\n

The study, conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), found that the level of faecal coliform bacteria was higher near the ghats (steps leading to the river) where people bathe, as compared to other parts of the river.<\/p>\n

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The study also found that the level of bacteria increased during the peak bathing season from October to March.<\/p>\n

The ICMR has advised people to avoid bathing in the river during the peak season and to take necessary precautions if they do so.<\/p>\n

The Ganges is a sacred river to Hindus, and its pollution is a major issue for the religious community. Illnesses and deaths have become common due to the river’s toxic waters, and many Hindus will not drink or bathe in the river due to the health risks. Hindus have called for serious efforts to clean the Ganges, and it is hoped that the river can be restored to its former glory.<\/p>\n

What happens after bathing in Ganga <\/h3>\n

The Ganges is a sacred river to Hindus and is believed to be the holiest river in India. Taking a bath in the Ganges is thought to cleanse a person of all their problems and sins. People feel that being born or dying near the banks of the Ganges will allow them to attain salvation. Even the ashes of a dead body are poured into the Ganges as a sign of respect.<\/p>\n

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The scientific reason why the water of the river Ganga is bacteriophage-free is that the viruses that eat bacteria, known as bacteriophages, don’t allow bacterial growth. These bacteriophages are found in the waters of Ganga and destroy any bacteria that attempt to grow there. This prevents the water from becoming contaminated with bacteria, and keeps it clean and safe to drink.<\/p>\n

Why doesn’t the water of Ganga get dirty? <\/h2>\n

The scientific reason for why the water of the river Ganga is naturally bacteriophage-free is that the bacteriophages present in the water do not allow for bacterial growth. This is because the bacteriophages bind to and lyse bacteria, preventing them from growing and multiplying.<\/p>\n

The Ganges is one of the most polluted waterways in the world due to the large amount of untreated sewage that is emptied into the river every day. This pollution is a major environmental and health concern, as it can lead to the spread of disease and contamination of drinking water.<\/p>\n

How dirty is the Ganges River? <\/h2>\n

The Ganges River is one of the most important rivers in India. It is considered to be the fifth-most polluted river in the world. An Indian photographer has noted that no one in India spoke of the Ganges as being polluted until the late 1970s. However, pollution had been an old and continuous process in the river by the time people were finally acknowledging it.<\/p>\n

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The river and its tributaries are a vital water source for hundreds of millions of people. It is estimated that over 1.1 billion people rely on the river for their daily water needs. The river provides water for drinking, bathing, and irrigation. It is also a major source of food and energy for many people. The river and its tributaries are an important part of the global water cycle, and their health is essential to the well-being of the planet.<\/p>\n

What was the curse on Ganga <\/h3>\n

The Ganga and the Saraswati are two of the most holy rivers in Hinduism. The Ganga is believed to be the incarnation of the goddess Ganga, while the Saraswati is believed to be the incarnation of the goddess Saraswati. These two rivers are often considered to be sisters, and their rivalry is well-known.<\/p>\n

The story of their rivalry begins with a curse. Saraswati was cursed by Ganga, now enraged that Lakshmi had been cursed because she had defended her. Saraswati issued the same curse against Ganga, informing her that sinful men would cleanse themselves of their sins with her water.<\/p>\n

Since then, the two rivers have been enemies. However, they are also considered to be two of the most important and holy rivers in Hinduism. Hindus believe that bathing in the waters of the Ganga can cleanse one of their sins, and bathing in the waters of the Saraswati can bring knowledge and wisdom.<\/p>\n

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Hindu beliefs about the healing power of Ganga water are based on ancient texts and traditions. These beliefs hold that the water can remove skin diseases and elongate life. Even during the British Rule, when the British East India Company controlled much of India, Hindus continued to believe in the healing power of Ganga water.