The first experience at Ganga is filled with innocence and an inimitable rawness. It can never be felt in any of the subsequent ones. Therefore, it is indeed special. When you see the river Ganga at Haridwar, Uttarakhand, for the very first time, it is bound to fill your mind with peace. A serenity and refreshing feeling that is at once unique and profound. We may have heard about the greatness of Goddess Ganga, who descends through the Himalayas. It runs a course of 2,525 km through the Indian hinterland, giving life to its people and cleansing their Karmas. This great river ranks among the longest ones in the world.
At the very first encounter, however, when you feel the oneness with this great moving water body – one is just over-whelmed by its vastness and a blend of gratitude and reverence fills your mind.
What has river Ganga brought for generations of Indians? It’s the giver of life. It brings a sense of serenity, divinity, and purity to the human mind. Purity is what each one of us yearns for. The human soul is considered to be most pure. The mind and body may become impure as the conscience fights many battles each day, exhausting the entire human form. A dip into these holy waters refreshes the body and mind alike. Faith in the cleansing properties of Mother Ganga allows for that feeling to soak deep within – where, for at least for a brief moment, one experiences the purity of one’s soul and the universal soul merging and dancing to the tune of the holy water. It is a unique experience – deeply moving and transcending all human understanding.
Despite the cacophony at the banks, the serenity of the river is irresistible, drawing visitors to its cool, refreshing waters that soothe the body and mind, dissolving all stress and anxiety.
Haridwar is an ancient town mentioned in the scriptures as the Gateway to Heaven – in simple words, it is located at the foothills of the Himalayas and is a starting point for various pilgrimages: Badri-Kedar, Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Vaishno Devi.
The Ganga Basin is one of India’s most fertile and densely populated regions. The river supports agriculture, provides drinking water, and fuels industrial growth. The Ganga is central to ongoing conservation efforts due to its immense ecological and cultural significance.
The recent implementation of the Namami Gange (River Ganga clean-up project) by the central government has brought the river closer to the pristine state envisioned by generations of devotees. This initiative has not only cleansed the river but also spiritually reinstated the faith of millions who revere Mother Ganga.
Come one, come all – it is here that you will find solace from your worldly worries. Allow your mind and body to soak in its eternal freshness while you take home memories to last a lifetime.
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Photo Credit of Ganga in Haridwar: Unsplash
