The true essence of our motherland "India" becomes evident when we are visiting some other country. Our cultural values, our rituals, our scriptures, our methods of prayers, and lastly our customs make more sense, when we see somebody not doing it or just hush hush them. Anyways here I am comparing Mississippi' river with its Asian sister river "GANGES".
I have mentioned Ganges in my first post "New Orleans" that how one river lures people to have full carefree life and satiate their senses. And on the other hand, one flowing in north India encourages them to go beyond sensual pleasure and seek higher goal in life. As we know that India, is the land of spirituality, and our culture encourages us to look beyond sensual pleasure, as it is only short lived. And look for higher goal, which gives us bliss.
Passage of Ganges in Himalayas
There are innumerable videos on you tube and endless data on net about this lifeline of India.
Ma Ganges riding on crocodile
There are a few very commendable BBC documentaries on this "Great River Ganges". For Indians Ganges is a sacred river. I will not elaborate on its merits and its place in our religion, but must mention here, as there was a life being celebrated on the banks of Mississippi river. On the other side of globe, here in India, again there is an elaborate celebrations. They are celebrating Ganges, paying homage and respect to this sacred river, and asking it to forgive their misdeeds. As it is widely understood that only this river is capable to save you from the bondage of "karmic cycle" and can liberate your soul. Both are right and well fitted in their perspectives.
Lord Shiva taking river Ganges on his head
for the welfare of humankind
Goddess Ganges accepting offerings from devotes
Rishekesh
There is morning and evening "Arti" ritual on the banks of Ganges. Which is worth taking part in. Only historian can say how and when it started but till this day, innumerable people feel proud to attend this Arti.
floating lamps offered Ganges river
The Great Ganges, which starts from Gomukh (Utterkashi) in upper Himalayas and runs deep into many cities, and in the end gets submerged into Indian Ocean in the bay of Bengal on west coast. The Arti ritual is performed along the river coast of Ganges, but two are very popular. One that is performed in Har KI Phuri, Rishikesh (Haridwar) and then at the holy city of Varanasi. These are an absolutely out of
evening Arti in Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri Haridwar
River bank in Varanasi
world experience for partakers. I could attend only two, one in Haridwar and another one in Rishekesh. I was totally mesmerized by the whole scenario.
If you are visiting these places, I would suggest you to participate in it, You are bound to believe that as if all the Gods, Demigods and Goddess are here, and taking offerings made in their names. The whole scenario, huge Ganges, ringings of temple bells, chanting of Vedic mantras and vast mass of devotees and deep faith overflowing in their eyes always filled me with awe.
As if this river Ganges is their only hope of salvation.
I can not say much on this, as I always get choked with emotions. I truthfully believe that the Ganges has to be saved and cleaned, as this is the only river which cleanses our soul.
This whole scene creates a different world for the believers to have faith that everything is good and sacred and we must pay obeisance to it, and be grateful.
video courtesy youtube.
thanks for uploading such a nice video.
pic. from web.
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