The Ganges, the lifeline of the Indian subcontinent has been widely worshipped in her personified form as the divine goddess for ages. It is believed that the living water of the holy river possesses curative properties and purifying characteristics. In the present scenario, there are several problems that challenge the very existence of the holy river and the great Himalayas. The Holy Ganga shelds light on the spiritual, religious, social, economic, cultural and environmental importance of the Ganga along with the problems of livelihood, uncontrolled pollution, dreaded floods, indiscriminate mining, politics of faiths, and corporate manoeuvering of water resources.

The Ganga is described as a very beautiful woman—voluptuous and fecund—carrying a water pot in her hand and travels on a Makara, a creature with the tail of a fish and the head of an elephant. Does the Ganga flow from Shiva’s hair? Does she rise from Vishnu’s feet? Is she the wife of Shiva or of Vishnu? As the daughter of water, can a river ever have a lord, and be controlled? Devdutt dips into the world of the Goddess Ganga, bringing to life the reasons why we revere this river and depend on her for the cycle of rebirth and freedom. Dive into the nuanced humanity of this delightful goddess in this short, sweet read from Devlok.

Tells how the Hindu goddess Ganga came to Earth as the Ganges River • Introduces children to one of the most beloved characters of Hindu mythology • Illustrated throughout with full-color paintings in traditional Indian style The Ganges River, which flows from the high reaches of the Himalayas all the way down to the Bay of Bengal, is sacred to the Hindu people, who consider it to be the earthly form of the goddess Ganga. The story of how Ganga was born, and how she became a river, tells of a journey from a place even higher than the Himalayan mountaintops--a journey from Heaven itself. Born in a pot of sacred water, the baby Ganga grows into a beautiful and lighthearted girl, the darling of Heaven. But one day her sense of humor gets her in trouble. When grumpy Sage Durvasa is caught in a whirlwind that blows his clothes right off him, Ganga makes the mistake of laughing at him. In a rage, the sage puts a curse on her: “You must go to Earth as a river!” Ganga is heartbroken and begs the sage to forgive her. He can’t take back the curse, but seeing that she is truly sorry, he gives her a blessing as well: her water will purify the souls of men, releasing them from sin. When Sage Baghirath prays to the gods to help him release the souls of his ancestors, Ganga comes tumbling from the sky and follows the sage across India, the river unfurling behind her. To this day millions of people take comfort in her healing waters, and Ganga, too, takes comfort in relieving their suffering.

India is killing the Ganges, and the Ganges in turn is killing India. Victor Mallet traces the holy river from source to mouth, and from ancient times to the present day, to find that the battle to rescue what is arguably the world's most important river is far from lost.

A sweeping, interdisciplinary history of the world's third-largest river, a potent symbol across South Asia and the Hindu diaspora Originating in the Himalayas and flowing into the Bay of Bengal, the Ganges is India's most important and sacred river. In this unprecedented work, historian Sudipta Sen tells the story of the Ganges, from the communities that arose on its banks to the merchants that navigated its waters, and the way it came to occupy center stage in the history and culture of the subcontinent. Sen begins his chronicle in prehistoric India, tracing the river's first settlers, its myths of origin in the Hindu tradition, and its significance during the ascendancy of popular Buddhism. In the following centuries, Indian empires, Central Asian regimes, European merchants, the British Empire, and the Indian nation-state all shaped the identity and ecology of the river. Weaving together geography, environmental politics, and religious history, Sen offers in this lavishly illustrated volume a remarkable portrait of one of the world's largest and most densely populated river basins.

Welcome to the spiritual journey along the sacred waters of the Ganga, where the divine meets the earthly and the profound intertwines with the practical. "Holy Ganga," authored by Rishi Rohit Sharma, is a captivating exploration into the mystical realms of the Ganges River, known as Gangaji or Ganga Maiya in Hindu tradition. The Ganga holds a significant place in the hearts of millions, flowing majestically through the landscapes of India and Bangladesh before embracing the Bay of Bengal. More than just a river, the Ganga is personified and revered as the goddess Ganga, embodying purity, spirituality, and the potential for profound transformation. In "Holy Ganga," Rishi Rohit Sharma delves into the cultural, spiritual, and metaphysical dimensions of this sacred river, weaving a tapestry of insights drawn from Hindu beliefs and practices. Hindus believe that a dip in the Ganga not only cleanses the body but also purifies the soul, washing away sins and paving the way towards moksha – the ultimate liberation from the cycle of life and death. The Ganga is more than a geographical entity; it symbolizes the spiritual knowledge enshrined in the ancient "Vedas" and possesses the transformative power to purify one's being. "Holy Ganga" invites readers to embark on a journey that transcends the physical realm, exploring the profound teachings embedded in the river's flow. In the rich tapestry of Hinduism, the Ganga is a source of inspiration for seekers and yogis alike. The book sheds light on the significance of pilgrimage to the Ganga and the transformative impact of meditating upon its divine energies. For yoga practitioners, understanding the Ganga's spiritual essence can deepen their practice, guiding them toward enlightenment and a harmonious union with the cosmic consciousness. Rishi Rohit Sharma's "Holy Ganga" is not just a book; it's an invitation to explore the depths of spiritual wisdom, to connect with the sacred currents that have flowed through the hearts of countless seekers for centuries. Whether you are a devout follower of Hinduism or a curious soul seeking spiritual insights, this book promises a transformative journey along the holy waters of the Ganga. Welcome to a world where the river becomes a guide, a healer, and a conduit to the divine – welcome to "Holy Ganga."

No river has kindled Man`s imagination like the Ganges. From its icy origins high in the Himalayas, this sacred river flows through the holy cities and the great plains of northern India to the Bay of Bengal. In a country where the red heat of summer inspires prayer for the coming monsoon, the life-giving waters of the Ganges have assumed legendary powers in the form of the Hindu goddess Ganga, the source of creation and abundance. Pilgrims flock to her shores to cleanse and purify themselves, to cure ailments, and to die that much closer to paradise. Steven Darian writes of the human experience and the legendary myths that surround the Ganges. While collecting material for this book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to the Ganga Sagar festival at Sagar Island off Calcutta where the sacred river and the ocean merge.