Weve been four times over the years for 1 or 2 or 3 months at a time so we know what to expect. More than a touch I do have to remind myself, even after all the time Ive spent in your wonderful country, that for you it is all quite normal. Millions of Hindus perform religious rituals, such as purification rites and the disposal of the deceased, in the river. We will take to the river before sunset, the cool and gently breezy evening providing the perfect conditions for experiencing Varanasis movement into the night. I think it would be amazing if we could all acknowledge rivers, and all of nature as sacred. Members prey upon a youth culture that has very little to no family structure at home. Then you understand India and understand yourself. Dharam is clearly warming to a well-rehearsed theme and with it he casts on to the slim and aged shoulders of Chandar the boatman the responsibility of not only conveying the true sense of the river and this sacred city on her banks, but also an insight into the vagaries of my own existence. Mr Max, this is Chandar, says Dharam, introducing the boatman, the three of us now standing on the edge of a truly chaotic scene: traders and buyers barter over the price of fruits, vegetables and other essentials, as well as a vast array of cards and framed images depicting the great gods of the Hindu faith. Curt. Rishikesh too. And every time we go back we fall in love with it all over again. Im still completely captivated by it. Alison. I dont know much about Hinduism either, just what I witnessed from my time in India. The river is considered to be sacred and spiritually pure, though it is also one of the most polluted rivers on earth. In America and Asia, violence is also prominent and generally involves guns. Glad you enjoyed the photographs. From Rishikesh it flows onto the plains of northern India just a little downstream at Haridwar, gathering speed and depth as it flows southeast towards the sea. Alison. Why Is The River Ganges So Important To India? For Hindus, the Ganges River is sacred. Other gangs are racist ways for radical Americans to keep white supremacy alive. they believed the rivers brings life to people. The Ganges River is a bit of a conundrum. I know theres a big mission to clean it up, but not that much actually happening. I must admit, Mike had a good chuckle when I showed him the mouth mask bit. Research identifies. Thanks so much Joanne. I do love to share the stories of the people in the places I visit. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing. they believe the river is a goddess and the water has healing powers. Apart from the 84 concrete river banks, the greenish water can be seen on the other side as well. But despite the monumental health hazards that come with wading into the Ganges' infested waters, some cultures practice centuries-old religious rituals to honor it. Ive learnt much, yet so much more awaits. Salient(ritual, be performed in ganges dangerous) Similarity expansion. As we climb the stairs away from Mother Ganga, the celebrations and ceremonies continue in full swing back at Dasaswamedh Ghat. Trade is developed Despite coming from vastly different lands, weve shared common tales and both tried unsuccessfully to contain our laughter when one unfortunate worshipper bent too far forward while scooping water from the Ganges, toppling forward into the sacred river. Behind this scene is perched the high-walled cityscape with windows aloft, affording commanding views of the river and surrounding lands. With notorious leader El Chapo at the helm the Sinaloa Cartel, they have been at the head of countless massacres that show a brutal disregard for human life. Im also drawn to water. It is great though how travel exposes us to all these weird, wonderful, and at times disturbing things. Make man-made dams What happened after the European arrived in India? While my own knowledge of Hinduism is basic, its not hard to recognise Lord Shiva the destroyer, Hanuman the monkey god, and the great Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. There are some somewhat random official requirements of those who want to be prospects for the Hells Angels. Thank you so much Angie. Our results suggest that engaging in rituals mitigates grief caused by both life-changing losses (such as the . Surprisingly, securing the top spot for the cleanest river in the world, one of Londons pride and joy is the neat elegance of the Thames River. Born Of All The Sacred Waters - rituals and devotions to the Ganges But myths are always fascinating. Seeing the Jains was almost like wed stumbled into some alternate reality, though given all the different activities along the river we had no reason to be surprised anything could happen! In 1977 another prominent Wah Ching assassination attempt devastated The Golden Dragon, a Chinatown restaurant in San Francisco. The offering is made to the Goddess Ganga, also affectionately referred to as Maa Ganga, goddess of the holiest river in India. Alison xo. This is all a test to prove that the prisoner is actually a member of the Numbers Gang, everything hinges on the prisoners knowledge of the right language and you better not get it wrong! Ganga does turn light green during the rainy season due to the heavy inflow of mosses and lichens from ponds and lakes. Science News Why do humans embrace rituals? Each does their rituals according to their wishes. Of course the biggest ritual is Ganga Aarti, an hour or more of singing, chanting, praising, and giving thanks to the Goddess every evening at sunset. The act of bathing in the Ganges' waters is the culmination of the ceremony. One myth, according to the Vishnu Purana, an ancient Hindu text, illustrates how the Lord Vishnu pierced a hole in the universe with his toe, allowing goddess Ganga to flow over his feet into heaven and down to earth as the waters of the Ganges. Oh the ecstatic man was such a beautiful moment! I would not have missed India for anything. Escape to Barefoot Luxury: Discover Wellness at Elements of Byron, Escape to Healing Waters: Hepburn Springs Bathhouse & Spa Retreat, Start your healthier life at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Time to take a trip to destination Wellness, The meaning of a headless body in a dream. While we were living in Rishikesh for a month in 2019, and again in 2020, we walked along the river every day. This list compiles the most physically and mentally violent things that the most dangerous gangs in the world ritualize. So many places and people on this earth matter. And the same with your brother scattering his ashes in places he loved so his essence could rest there symbolizing a setting free for both of you. A touch of mystique to what for us, Indians, is part of everyday living. As Death Approaches. Prokshana. Alison. why does the region receive increased rainfall from June through September. Alison, A river combined with a culture dating back to ancient times. Varanasi is accessible by air from all major cities in India and flight time from New Delhi is about 80 minutes. It is 34th longest river in the world by length. After flowing through a narrow Himalayan valley the river emerges from the mountains at Rishikeshwide and blue and deep. Above the riverbank, the ceremonial steps or ghats play host to a great sea of heads and vividly coloured shoulders that move as if they belong to one body. Six years after a promised cleanup, Ganga and those who live beside her continue to await results. The Ganges is a deity come to earth that can help them in many ways, and this belief is so deeply entrenched in the culture and belief system of the people that it is their lived reality. The Hindu believe that if a deceased's ashes are . On the way, we weave between a succession of other watercraft and I witness my own sense of awe at this place reflected in the faces of hundreds of other visitors and pilgrims. I bless you for that. But of course it must flow from somewhere, and in this case none other than the Himalayas. Like the Hindus they believe in the cycle of reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation from it. INDIA: Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga It is not just a river giving life in the form of water, but a whole culture of the river as a deity: to the Indian Hindu people she is not merely water, but holy water, the very source of salvation, drenching hearts and souls with sustenance and grace even as she irrigates their farms, giving freely to all and purifying all who bathe in her or drink from her. So rich in expression and heart. Yes pure joy! This philosophy is well maintained and is one reason why The Latin Kings have lasted this long. Alison, Symbolism and myths are important Alison for the messages they carry, whether we are believers or not. For hundreds of years the people have offered the remains of their dead expecting liberation for them. The name of Ganga appears only twice in the Rig Veda, an early sacred Hindu text, and it was only later that Ganga assumed great importance as the goddess Ganga. A Brahmin priest and his assistant pray beside the Ganges River. Your email address will not be published. The Ganges Basin has fertile soil that largely influences the agricultural economies of India and its neighboring country of Bangladesh. It is the best way to witness the spectacle of the old age rituals in the river and on the ghats along the Ganges. Glad for you, and your chance They drink the water, they bathe in it, they throw the ashes of their dead in it, they even drop weighted bodies into it, and yet they don't get sick from it. She features either two or four arms, holding a variety of objects ranging from water lilies to a water pot to a rosary. Love the photo of the single man on the rock, the women clustered in their bright orange tones and the women with the basket. According to Hindu mythology, while transporting Amrit(the drink of immortality), the mythical bird Garuda dropped some of the mystical liquid in each of the four places where the KumbhMela occurs. Due to rain, these algae flow to the river from fertile lands. The joy was palpable. The images are stunning and the text compliments them perfectly. Back on the river, after sitting in silence watching the timeless display of the Ganga Aarti unfold, Chandar senses its time to move along and we make our way toward the upper end of the river, toward the burning ghats where hundreds of cremation ceremonies are held each day and night. He was jumped into the gang meaning he was beaten mercilessly by his future family members, the only condition was that he defend himself. Alison. Because of these strong beliefs, it is common for Hindus to spread cremated ashes of dead loved ones, allowing the sacred water to direct the soul of the departed. Unlike the Hindus, and indeed most religions, they have no gods; it is a spiritual practice of self-help. the area is low lying and prone to flooding. Toxic substances from sewage and animal carcasses have contaminated the water. The City of Varanasi: India's Religious Capital, The Most Popular Stories of Shiva, the Destroyer, Full and New Moon Hindu Rituals and Dates, Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 20202025, History and Significance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal. Ganga the holy river has utmost importance among all the rivers in India. And everywhere I went I saw fascinating and remarkable things, but nothing, in my opinion, quite beats the spectacle and reverence I saw on the banks of the beloved Maa Ganga.A 23 minute National Geographic video about the Ganges: All words and images by Alison Louise Armstrong unless otherwise noted I agree the world is full of amazing and incredible interactions between people and nature. Traditionally . Wah Ching founder Danny Ah Pai Wong was assassinated by a Wo Hop To assassin. Such a rich and vibrant culture. The air is ripe with the smells from street food stalls but also with the odour of good food gone bad and the inevitable effluent that comes with a marketplace densely populated by both humans and cattle. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? There are a couple of brutal rituals that various sets of Crips gangs across the country take part in. monsoons carry moist air from the indian ocean. Your research bore fruit; the photos are great story-tellers, and youve given Maa Ganga a fine tribute. Originating from the Gangotri Glacier, high in the Himalayas of northern India, the river flows southeast through India, into Bangladesh, before spilling into the Bay of Bengal. What an interesting culture and beautiful people! If he survives then he is welcomed into the gang as a fellow homeboy. For Hindus, the River Ganges is sacred and revered, embodied by the goddess Ganga. Thanks Alison; I learned so much from your post. "The Ganges: Hinduism's Holy River." We would see pilgrimsarriving by the busload like this group from Rajasthanwho have come for holy rituals both in the river, and on the banks. Alison. they believe the river is a goddess and the water has healing powers. Why are rituals performed in the Ganges dangerous? The average depth of the Ganges River is 52 feet. And your comment prompted me to just now have a look at the date of the video I linked. 5th six weeks review for Cobb's Flashcards | Quizlet The Ganges Riveris a bit of a conundrum. This one polluted body of water means so many different things to so many different people - read on to learn about some beautiful Ganges traditions. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What? No photographs for now please, advises Chandar as we drift closer. Since the Hells Angels have connections to the white supremacist organization Aryan Brotherhood it is an unofficial rule that Hells Angels be caucasian. I dont know about Varanasi, but according to the video I linked (which is 5 years old now) its so polluted that the river is dead near Agra I think it is where there are tanneries that leach great volumes of chrome into the river. If the cleaner is a 28 he says "I am a son of Nongoloza, that he works by night." The Ganges Basin has fertile soil that largely influences the agricultural economies of India and its neighboring country of . The ultimate goal for many Hindus is to become free from desire, thereby escaping rebirth and attaining moksha, the transcendent state of salvation. In the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges River, a lone Hindu priest now recites a truncated daily prayer as a symbolic gesture to the Hindu goddess Ganga, whom faithful . The Ganges River is the 35th longest river in the world. Thanks so much Julie. It took a while for me to get it but they really do worship the river as a deity. On one hand, this 1,500-mile stretch of water is one of the most polluted rivers in the entire world. Oops. 15 Most Brutal Modern Day Gang Rituals | TheRichest How Gaul 'Barbarians' Influenced Ancient Roman Religion The Ganges and its tributaries provide a perennial source of irrigation to a large area, in addition to recharging the groundwater table all along their course. by Cameron Fergus June 7, 2016. . No. Torrential rains that accompany the monsoon season normally arrive from late June until late August. Informants told authorities about some exceptionally disturbing initiation rites that went down in 2014 with the dangerous Mexican gang. Alison this must be one of my favorite of all your blog posts on India. Why are rituals performed in the Ganges dangerous? The waters of the Ganges are called Gangaajal, meaning literally "water of the Ganges". Theres such a depth to it that Ill almost certainly never understand, but definitely can feel. Then finally, you get patched into the gang. Finally, with the ashes swirling in the flow, family members gather and launch small paper plates laden with coloured flowers and a central candle, purchased from the vendors high above the ghats to farewell the beloved and light their eternal journey. So this has prompted me to think about that river also the Nile and the Ganges couldnt be more different in so many ways. When the body and fuel are reduced to ashes by the fire, they are all swept into the Ganges the river that gave and sustained this life now carries the departed into the next. Beautiful post. The rituals are a means of praying to the Great Spirit, and sacrificing oneself while retaining a direct contact with the . A ritual is defined by psychologists as "a predefined sequence of symbolic actions often characterised by formality and repetition that lacks direct instrumental purpose". It seems such a strange connection, though in saying that Im not questioning it, just astonished by it. (CNN) Every year, tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims wade into the Ganges River, seeking salvation from the eternal cycle of life and death. Since Wo Hop To were a bigger gang the Wah Ching went on their first migration to Los Angeles. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a42429777a743035eeb709db8e408d84" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Only after enduringthe beating was he then assigned the task of shooting a rival gang member with a pump shotgun. Their brutal power plays rank high on the disturbing rituals that gangs have been known to carry out. Believing that all living beings contain souls they are strict vegetarians and wear mouth masks so as not to inadvertently swallow insects. This is also the reason that members of the Hells Angels are fond of Nazi symbolism. "The Ganges: Hinduism's Holy River." The timber is logged from forests further up the Ganges and brought down the river by these boats each day, fuelling the fires, the boatmen playing a small but vital role in the cycle of life, death and rebirth that is at the centre of the Hindu faith.
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