From the Himalaya Mountains to the Indian Ocean, Winding 1,560 miles across...(More)

From the Himalaya Mountains to the Indian Ocean, Winding 1,560 miles across northern India, the Ganges River is a sacred entity. Known as Ganga Ma—Mother Ganges—the river is revered as a goddess whose purity cleanses the sins of the faithful and aids the dead on their path toward heaven. But while her spiritual purity has remained unchallenged for millennial, her physical purity has deteriorated as Indias booming population imposes an ever-growing burden upon her. There is a saying that the Ganges grants us salvation. This culture will end if the people stop going to the river, and if the culture dies the tradition dies, and the faith dies.(Less)