LIFE AND DEATH ON THE RIVER GANGES; Amazon Prime Streaming (documentary; pollution)
Goddess River(03:23)
The holiest river in India, the Ganges (Ganga)emerges from the ice of the Himalayas at Gaumukh, meaning "mouth of the cow." Indians believe that the purity of the Ganges cannot be polluted, even though the river is in grave danger.
Disappearing Glacier(02:20)
The glacier from which the Ganges flows continues to recede, giving rise to the concern that the flow will end. Pilgrims travel for two days to reach Gaumukh, the source of the Ganges. Sewage, garbage, and other pollutants enter the river.
Indian Mystics(04:26)
Hindu pilgrims come to Gangotri, where the Ganges originally flowed from the glacier, to send prayers to the river goddess Ganga. High in the mountains, sadhus and babas live and meditate in isolation.
Villages on the Ganges(03:06)
Gangnani, a Himalayan village near the source of the Ganges, celebrates Durga Puja. The river is used for many things, including waste removal. At Rishikesh, the Ganges is still relatively clean, but the city produces a great deal of pollutants and garbage.
Rishikesh: Yoga Capital of the World(04:16)
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts travel to Rishikesh to learn from the yoga master, Swami Vivekananda. The "cult" of the Ganges is an appreciation of nature and the river as the source of life.
Rishikesh and the Beatles(02:20)
Rishikesh made the headlines when the Beatles visited. The ashram where they stayed is now abandoned, but George Harrison's wife is building a music school and Hare Krishna temple there.
Haridwar, India(05:57)
The Ganges leaves the Himalayas at Haridwar where a portion of it is diverted into a canal to accommodate all the religious worshippers. An ostentatious wedding lights up the night and worshippers offer gifts to the river.
Hinduism and Allahabad(03:23)
Hinduism is unique among the world's religions because it recognizes a multitude of gods and goddesses. Used for ritual bathing, Sangam Bath, situated at the confluence of three holy rivers, is one of India's holiest sites.
Varanasi(02:42)
Varanasi has been India's religious and cultural center for thousands of years. Toward the ends of their lives, pilgrims come to Varanasi to purify themselves in the river. Most activity on the river takes place on the ghats, or steps to the river.
Cremations at Varanasi(04:29)
Some of the ghats of Varanasi are sacred, and 60,000 people per day take a "holy dip" in the Ganges from these ghats. Two special ghats are reserved for elaborate cremation ceremonies.
Strange Rituals of an Agori Baba(04:00)
Boom Boom Baba, an agori baba, lives at the cremation ghat and eats the remains of cremated bodies, believing that the purified flesh is his holy sacrament. Agori babas are highly respected in Indian culture.
Contaminated Ganges(04:55)
Cremation burning is the only way for a Hindu soul to attain peace. Not all bodies are completely burned when they enter the river that is polluted with the bodies of dead children and animals. Many cultural practices are damaging the Ganges.
Varanasi: Evening Puja(03:21)
As pilgrims crowd the ghats, Brahmins lead the ceremony devoted to Brahma and Shiva. Throughout the night, cremation fires blaze. From 180-250 bodies are burned on the riverbanks every 24 hours. Can the sacred Ganges be saved?
LIFE AND DEATH ON THE RIVER GANGES
1. What do Indians believe about the purity of the Ganges?
2. Where does the Ganges receive it’s water from? How is this source endangered?
3. What are the various ways the Ganges is used to support life in India?
4. What are the challenges in cleaning up the Ganges for long term use?
5. Describe some of the cultural beliefs and customs that contaminate the Ganges River.
6. How do we balance environmental concerns with spiritual/religious belief and custom?
Documentary: LIFE AND DEATH ON THE RIVER GANGES
1. What do Indians believe about the purity of the Ganges?
2. Where does the Ganges receive its water ? How is this source endangered?
3. What are the various ways the Ganges is used to support life in India?
4. What are the challenges in cleaning up the Ganges for long term use?
5. Describe some of the cultural beliefs and customs that contaminate the Ganges River.
6. How do we balance environmental concerns with spiritual/religious belief and custom?