Importance of a bath in the Gangas

India is a country with a lot of holy rivers. Rivers have been given special importance in India. Ganga river is worshipped all around the country. This is the reason why Ganga river is considered to be a mother. Taking a bath in the Ganges is extremely important for Hindus. Ganga river is associated with both life and death. A person taking a bath in the Ganges is free from all kinds of problems. The origination point of river Ganga is known as Gangotri.

A story is famous about how river Ganga came to this Earth. According to this story, King Bhagirath wanted river Ganga to visit the planet. He wanted prosperity for his subjects. The King offered his prayers and austerities to Goddess Ganga. She was impressed and came to this Earth eventually. She came to this Earth in the form of seven streams which were named Hradini, Pawini, Nalini, Suchakshu, Sita, Mahanadi and Sindhu. The story of Ganga’s birth has been mentioned in Skanda Purana, Valmiki Ramayana etc.

Ganga - Path to salvation

A person is blessed and gets auspicious results when he takes a bath in the Ganges. Ganga river has been believed to be a Goddess in Hindu religion. A lot of holy places are situated on the banks of river Ganga. Ganga river is believed to be the holiest river in India. According to beliefs, taking a bath in Ganges frees a person from all sorts of problems. People feel that being born or dying near the banks of river Ganga lets them attain salvation. Even the ashes of a dead body are poured in the Ganges. People usually meditate and worship on the banks of river Ganga.

Ganga is considered to be important in all kinds of religious activities. The water of river Ganga is considered to be holy. Ganga can be associated with a lot of different festivals and rituals. These include, Ganga Dusshera, Makar Sankranti and Kumbh. A lot of different fairs are also organized on the banks of river Ganga. River Ganges unites the whole country culturally. A lot of different scriptures have been written which praise river Ganga. These include Sri Ganga Sahasranama Stotram.

Taking a bath in the Ganges provides a person with prosperity and success. It is believed that people with a Mangalik dosha receive auspicious results when they take a bath in the Ganges. Following the right principles of Ganga worship gives auspicious results. Taking a bath in river Ganga also minimizes the effects of inauspicious results. On the day of Amavasya, people visit the banks of river Ganga to offer prayers to the dead people and other religious activities.

According to another legend, river Ganga originated from Lord Vishnu’s thumb. She visited the Earth due to the efforts of King Bhagirath, whose ancestors were turned to ashes due to the curse of Saint Kapil. Ganga came to be known as Bhagirathi due to the same reason.