The Ganges River: India

“The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India’s age long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga” ~First Prime Minister of India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges

Features Major river of India and Bangladesh Major river of India and Bangladesh Flows southeastward from the Himalayas for 1,550 miles to the Bay of Bengal Flows southeastward from the Himalayas for 1,550 miles to the Bay of Bengal Floods occur frequently during summer Floods occur frequently during summer

Features Hindus consider the Ganges a sacred river Hindus consider the Ganges a sacred river –Waters are believed to be holy and capable of washing away sins –Banks have templed cities –Holiest of the cities is Varanasi

The Ganges Plain One of the most productive regions in Asia One of the most productive regions in Asia –Deep, rich soils Main Crops: Grains, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds Main Crops: Grains, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds River provides irrigation water during dry season River provides irrigation water during dry season One of the world’s most densely populated regions One of the world’s most densely populated regions Main cities of India are located on or near Ganges Main cities of India are located on or near Ganges

Pollution on the Ganges Major Pollution Industries: Major Pollution Industries: –Leather industries Use large amounts of chemicals which then find their way into the river Use large amounts of chemicals which then find their way into the river Waste being dumped Waste being dumped –Nearly 1 billion liters per day –Untreated raw sewage Inadequate cremation procedures Inadequate cremation procedures –Partially burnt or unburnt bodies –Livestock

Imagine you are a Hindu sitting overlooking the Ganges river, what kinds of things might you see, what does the river mean to you as a Hindu Write a 1 page story describing what you would see if you were sitting on the edge of the river and what you might be doing if you made the pilgrimage to the river