Lauren Achtemeier: Ganges River

Researching the significance of the Ganges River and its religious impact on Hindu pilgrims was a great topic, considering the environmental state of the water. To Hindu’s this river is sacred to ancient times by providing many sacred sites such as the bathing in the Ganges. These bathing ceremonies are thought provoking. They are intended for purification, to wash away the impurities on a person’s soul. Massive amounts of pilgrims travel to the Ganges each year, and bathe in masses. First of all, at these sites the Ganges is vastly polluted, carrying an array of harmful microorganisms, chemical contaminants, and human waste. Despite all of this, the waters are still considered to purify because of their ritualistic religious significance. Even as thousands add more grime to the water, each person bathing receives purification from these dangerously dirty waters. It is here that the separation between physical realities and metaphysical experience cease to merge. While the pilgrim may physically be worse off after such a bath, the spiritual purpose is overpowering. It is interesting what people will do in the sake of spirituality, when in any other circumstance they might take physical precaution first.