01/7The holy rivers of India
India is home to many different rivers. From the ones that originate in the glaciers up high, to the ones that find their birth in the Western ghats, and make the soil around fertile, these rivers are no less than Goddesses who give life to the people, sometimes in the form of water and others in the form of fertile land and food.
And with their life-giving properties also come the spiritual and religious benefits. The holy rivers of India are packed with positive energies and divine powers. Here we mention 6 holy rivers with positivity flowing all around them.
02/7Ganga
The Ganga river, or as the westerners call it, the Ganges, is one of the most holy, respected, pure, and pious rivers in India. Another thing to note is that Ganga is not just a river, she is a Goddess and a mother and is respectfully said Maa Ganga or Ganga maiya. The river Ganga flows from the Himalayas, covers Northern India and then blends into the Bay of Bengal.
It is believed that bathing in the Ganga can cleanse one’s sins and purify the soul. The positive energies near Ganga ghats in Haridwar, Varanasi, and Rishikesh are unmatched. Be it a calm morning of meditation, or immersing the ashes of the dead, people do it all near the Ganga ghats wanting to seek peace and calmness in their lives.
03/7Yamuna
After Ganga, the second most holy river is the Yamuna. Yamuna starts from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas, and flows through the plains of Northern India, passing through several states before merging with Ganga at Triveni Sangam.
As for its holy stature, bathing in the Yamuna is believed to rid one of negative energies and purify the soul. The river’s positive energy is celebrated through festivals like Yamuna chhath, which marks the day when Goddess Yamuna came down to Earth.
04/7Kaveri
The Kaveri river, flowing through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is one of the most respected rivers in Southern India. It emerges from the Brahmagiri hills in the Western Ghats and is literally a ‘life-giving’ river as it makes the region fertile which is important for agriculture and sustenance in the area. The river is thus worshipped as a goddess, for it gives the people both water and makes their fields fertile for food, and is known for its purifying qualities.
05/7Godavari
The Godavari river is often called the ‘Ganga of the Southern states’ or ‘Dakshina Ganga’. Just like the Kumbh Mela of Northern India, there is also on in Nashik, Maharashtra. And the Godavari river is the focal point of the Kumbh Mela held in Nashik. Devotees believe that bathing in the Godavari during this festival washes away their sins and grants them spiritual liberation. The river’s positive energy is also celebrated through various local festivals and rituals.
06/7Narmada
The Narmada river is also among one of the holiest rivers in India. In fact, geologically, it is also believed that Narmada river is older than the Ganga and thus holds a special place in Hindu tradition.
The river is worshipped as a goddess, and it is believed that a parikrama around the Narmada (Narmada yatra, or Narmada Parikrama) which takes 4-5 months, can lead to spiritual enlightenment and liberation of the soul. This pilgrimage involves walking along the river’s banks, a journey that can take several months.
07/7Kshipra river
The Kshipra river is another sacred river which is filled with positivity and spiritual energies owing to its location. It flows through Ujjain, one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism.
And Ujjain is not just famous for its temples but also the Simhastha fair, or the Ujjain Kumbh Mela that is held once in 12 years to celebrate the powers of Kshipra.
The Kshipra river is considered to be one of the purest in India and devotees from all over India attend the Simhastha fair as it is said that bathing in the Kshipra during it will cleanse one’s sins and bring spiritual merit.
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