A y A n
~The Frequent Flyers~
Made it to Flickr Explore. Highest Rank #23
The Ganges (also pronounced Ganga) is a major river in the Indian subcontinent flowing east through the eponymous plains of northern India into Bangladesh. The 2,510 km (1,557 mi) long river begins at the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand in the central Himalayas and drains into the Bay of Bengal through its vast delta in the Sunderbans. It is held sacred by Hindus and is worshipped in its personified form as the goddess Ganga.
The Ganga and its tributaries drain a large and fertile basin with an area of about one million square kilometres that supports one of the world's highest density human populations.
According to Hindus the river Ganga (feminine) is sacred. Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river on certain occasions causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Many people believe that this will come from bathing in Ganga at any time. People travel from distant places to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of the Ganga; this immersion also is believed to send the ashes to heaven. Several places sacred to Hindus lie along the banks of the river Ganga, including Haridwar and Kashi. It is believed that drinking water from the Ganga with one's last breath will take the soul to heaven. Hindus also believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in their lifetime.
Hundreds of temples are there along the banks of the Ganga which often get flooded during the rains. One such temple is near Howrah bridge. Lots and lots of pigeons stay there, under Maa Ganga's protection. Food is not a problem for them. Whoever comes to touch the holy water, keeps food for them on the banks of the river. In the morning when you go there, you will see them flying in almost all directions, and if you look up, you will see the busy howrah bridge; people going to work. If you look back, you will see the city's busiest flower market. In all it was a lovely place to be. (source: wiki)
~The Frequent Flyers~
Made it to Flickr Explore. Highest Rank #23
The Ganges (also pronounced Ganga) is a major river in the Indian subcontinent flowing east through the eponymous plains of northern India into Bangladesh. The 2,510 km (1,557 mi) long river begins at the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand in the central Himalayas and drains into the Bay of Bengal through its vast delta in the Sunderbans. It is held sacred by Hindus and is worshipped in its personified form as the goddess Ganga.
The Ganga and its tributaries drain a large and fertile basin with an area of about one million square kilometres that supports one of the world's highest density human populations.
According to Hindus the river Ganga (feminine) is sacred. Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river on certain occasions causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Many people believe that this will come from bathing in Ganga at any time. People travel from distant places to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of the Ganga; this immersion also is believed to send the ashes to heaven. Several places sacred to Hindus lie along the banks of the river Ganga, including Haridwar and Kashi. It is believed that drinking water from the Ganga with one's last breath will take the soul to heaven. Hindus also believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in their lifetime.
Hundreds of temples are there along the banks of the Ganga which often get flooded during the rains. One such temple is near Howrah bridge. Lots and lots of pigeons stay there, under Maa Ganga's protection. Food is not a problem for them. Whoever comes to touch the holy water, keeps food for them on the banks of the river. In the morning when you go there, you will see them flying in almost all directions, and if you look up, you will see the busy howrah bridge; people going to work. If you look back, you will see the city's busiest flower market. In all it was a lovely place to be. (source: wiki)