Holy River Ganga

Patna, Lolín Menéndez rscj

Rising in the Himalayan foothills,
steadily she flows through the mountains and vast plains –
by the ancient cities of sacred places and temples,
watering the northern states of India.

In summer-water from the melting snow of the Himalayan mountains
 she carries her long winding course …
 gets swollen with fresh lively water from the north-east monsoons
    from the distant highlands as she descends …
    fresh flowing water creating and maintaining life
 changes her course to a turbulent journey
 this mighty river, the lifeline of many
   “ blessing the gift of survival, timeless, enduring” and sustaining
  a multitude of living beings dependent on her.

The waters of the Ganga possess a spiritual quality ;
   It is believed that gangaja l(waters of  the Ganga)
   have a power of purifying everything .
   life on the banks of Ganga begins at predawn darkness
   at Varnasi - the eternal city by the flowing Ganga.
   Thousands of Hindu pilgrims
   women, men and children come to this holiest spot
   to be purified by the waters of the Ganges
   to bathe in its waters is to be cleansed of all sins.

Lured by the mystery of the Ganges  
   People gather to have a dip in the water or squat
  on the numerous steps leading into the river
  spread their offerings in its smooth surface
  with their faces turned towards the rising sun …
  with folded hands they pray.
  The Ganga  needs to be worshipped
  many rituals and festivals revolve around it

The living come here to be purified
  by the waters of the Ganga;
  the dead are brought to attain release
  from the endless cycle of death and rebirth …

  To be cremated on its banks and have
  one’s ashes immersed in its waters
  is to obtain salvation of the soul.
  Dying in Varnasi is a privilege …
  many come here from far and near
  to breathe their last by the flowing Ganga.

From the southern side of the lofty Himalayas
her long journey ends into the Bay of Bengal
giving birth to a rich delta.


“Thy gifts to us mortals fulfil all our needs
  and yet run back to thee undiminished.
  The river has its every day work to do
  And hastens through fields and hamlets;
  yet its incessant stream winds towards washing of thy feet.
  The flower sweetens the air with its perfume;
Yet its last service is to offer itself to thee.”

(Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore)

Mary Varghese rscj
Province of India