National Symbols Of India

National River

Ganges River- National River of India

India has largest ever river in the form of the Ganga or Ganges river which crosses the plains, valleys and mountains while flowing to fulfill more than 2,510 kilometer distance. As Bhagirathi River in its inception the Ganga has its origination from the Himalayan Gangotri Glacier snowfields. Several other rivers like Alaknanda, Yamuna, Son, Gumti, Kosi & Ghagra join the Ganga in its way to flowing further. Two dams have been built on this river which are at the locations Haridwar and Farakka in course of its flowing.

Hindus consider the Ganges River most sacred on the earth and respects accordingly. Prominent Indian cities Varansi, Haridwar & Allahabad are located on the banks of the Ganges River where many religious activities and ceremonies are organized on the regular intervals.

History

Both Indian civilization and Ganga River share history since time immemorial. This river remained one of the major spectators to observe the dramatic changes occurring in the Indian history, inhabitants and culture for centuries. Equally has this river observed the ups and downs which several empires would have faced in the Indian history. In fact this river is the one that witnessed spreading of religions in India and it remained the major propagator while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Jainism spread.

Different stories prevail in Indian societies about Ganges River arriving on earth from the heaven. Such mythological stories explain with reference to textbooks from ancient era that sixty thousand sons of the then King Sagar were killed and were burnt to ashes while Saint Kapil Muni showed anger. This story says further that King Sagar’s ritual yagna horse had missed and it was perhaps stolen by the saint. Several saints were consulted by King Sagar to find a way out for salvation of liquidated sons. Collective opinion from those saints were that best efforts could be made to bring Holy Ganga from heaven to earth and then ashes of King’s sons should be dipped into it for complete moksha or nirvana achievement of souls. King ordered his son Bhagirath to start worshipping Lord Brahma thereafter to make it possible which he did for many years to please Brahma. It was so pleasing for Brahma that he asked for any desire so he was told to release Ganga from his Kamandal to smoothen its flow on earth which King desired. Brahma cautioned that there won’t be any issue in flowing Ganges River on earth but there was doubt that earth won’t be able to bear swiftness of this river. It was a major reason that Lord Shiva preferred receiving Ganges River on his head to avoid unforeseen scenario but somehow Ganges trapped on his hair. By that time King constantly worshipped for releasing Ganges from Lord Shiva’s hair which was granted and it finally came on the earth. Billions of worshippers still worship Ganges River since then.

Religious Importance of Ganga River

Origin of Ganges River indicates its religious significance. This river has its origin from a place famously named Gangotri. Several Hindu pilgrimage places are located on various locations in the country from where it passes and locations on the banks of Ganges River. Believers of Hindu religion worship this river religiously. City of Varansi located on the banks of this river remains most notable holy city for believers of Hinduism. One of the most respected earliest Hindu scriptures, Rig-Veda mentions name of the Ganga River several times. The Rig Veda 10.75 uses name of Ganges River as a reference for it flowing from east to western side. The word Ganga is also available in Rig Veda’s rest references.

Considered feminine river, Ganges River is equally sacred as per Hindu belief. As personified a Devi Goddess, this river has thousands of worshippers from believers of Hinduism. It is a major reason that this river has ample relevance in Hindu religion and is worshiped as well. According to the Hindu faith if anybody baths in Ganges River with faith and especially during certain time period of year then it turns best means for forgiveness of sins as salvation is attained by doing so. Good number of believers assume that such benefits can be obtained at any stage so there shouldn’t be wait for specific time to bath in Ganges. Often people arrive in Ganges River banks from distant locations for submerging cremation or collecting ashes of near and dear ones. It is believed that such act ensures that deceased soul would find a path to heaven. Locations having greater value for Hinduism are located on the banks of Ganges River including famous Varanasi and Haridwar cities. It is usual practice that Hindu pilgrims carry Ganges holy water preserved in copper pots especially while they visit Varanasi to repose faith. One belief is also that when a dying person is given few drops of Ganges water during last breaths soul of that individual would definitely reach to heaven.
Another Hindu belief is that one would have incomplete life if don’t bath in Ganges River at least once in a whole life. It is a common scene to see water vessels in Hindu families in India which usually preserve water brought from Ganges River. Piousness of this water makes it relevant that keeping Holy Ganges water would prove helpful to give a few drops to a dying relative whose taking it while taking last breath would result into salvation and entry into heaven. Good number of Hindus believe that Ganges water has power to cleanse body from various illnesses and so is it impactful to purify soul. Scriptures from ancient era explain about Ganges River water especially about Lord Vishnu blessings it carries. That is why Ganges is equally denoted with Vishnupadi which indicates its release from Lord Vishnu’s lotus feet.

Several festivals and worships related to Hindu religious ceremonies are organized on Ganges River bank. Prominent festivals and occasions are Kumbh Mela celebration happening after every 12 years at its bank in Allahabad, so is Chhat Puja organized annually on its banks. Banks of Ganges river in Varanasi city houses many temples coming into the trap of rains and floods during rainy seasons. It is a popular city on the Ganges River bank where worshippers from various parts of the country arrive for it being important worshipping place so is it famous cremation ground for Hindus. According to mythologies from India, Ganges River as Mountains King Himavan’s daughter remains impactful with supremacy for purification of each and everything coming in her contact. Mythologies also explain that Ganges River purifies Indians after its coming out from heavens. With an intention to purify from sins most Indians submerge the dead bodies of their near and dear ones into Ganges River upon completion of funeral formalities.

Economy

Millions of Indians get benefitted from Ganges River since time immemorial. The soil nearby this river flowing remains highly fertile and makes best occasion for the agriculture activities. In fact this river is an ultimate source of irrigation to huge areas nearby it. Usually rice, sesame, sugarcane, potatoes, millets, wheat, seeds and jute are cultivated in areas nearby it. This river is important source for the baptism, drinking water and of course bathing opportunities.

Adventure

As an important rafting site of the country, Ganges River remains in limelight for one more reason. It is usually beyond anyone’s imagination seeing the white water rafting magic at Ganges River bank in the Rishikesh city. Several other watersports are also common practices besides rafting on Ganges River and its banks. There is ample wildlife around Ganges River where sports activities are common. This river is in the notice for being home to countless migratory and resident birds from around the world.