Water+and+Hinduism

The Ganges River is the most sacred body of water to Hindus and it is a central part of their religion. Its waters are used most often to purify, but also to aid the dead on their path to heaven. The waters are also life-giving.

•Holy places are usually located along a river or on the coast •Daily bathing rituals are done to purify. When in the water all distinctions of caste do not matter and “all sins fall away.” •Bodies are cremated and the ashes are sprinkled in the river. This is to help to soul reach heaven. (See Water and Buddhism to understand another way that water is used in funerals.) •The hair from a baby’s first haircut is put in the river to help remove the impurities. •A sip of water from the Ganges River is given to the weak and dying to fill them with life.



Bibliography: Costecalde, Dr. Claude-Bernard. The Illustrated Family Bible. New York, New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1997. Encyclopedia: Cavendish, Richard. "Water." Man, Myth & Magic. 1970. http://www.bbc.com http://www.sacredland.org/world_sites_pages/Ganges.html