Does The Ganges River have any healing properties? What exactly?

Answer 1

Ok after searching on Google search and Google Scholar search for a while and seeing all those piles of holy 'n sacred this and holy 'n sacred that... I gave up the hope of finding a scientific explanation on the healing properties of the river Ganges (Ganga in hindi) on the internet.

I, therefore, shall endeavour to explain the supposedly magical curing and purifying effects of the the playgrounds of one of the oldest civilizations in the world- the river Ganges with two distinct perspectives. Perspective- one is the religious and faith-based type where I shall explain the "healing effects of Ganga" based on its mythological and religious importance. Perspective two is more like my own and I shall try to find a scientific cause of the healing effects, if any, of the Ganga water under this one.

Let's talk a little bit about Ganga's importance in the Hindu religion. Ganga, originating from the chilly mountain summits of the Himalayan range as a snowy glacier, descends down meeting its tributaries on its way to the Northern Plains where it is welcomed by stinking toxic waste and industrial pollution- carrying which, it meets the Bay of Bengal in the east.

In ancient hindu mythology literature i.e. Vedas and Puranas, Ganga is personified as a motherly Goddess who has "incarnated" here on this land of saints to purify her sons' sins and to engulf the worse of what mankind has to offer and to churn out goodness in return. The reason and stories behind her arrival on earth are associated with many a different epics and religious texts. You may refer to Wikipedia or Google search for the detailed stories of mythological origins of Ganga.

The religiously exalted status of Ganga is thus a result of its mention in so many ancient hindu spiritual texts. Over time, some popular beliefs related to Ganga with no reasonable explanations have developed. Here are a few examples;-

* Everyone should at least once in a lifetime bathe in Ganga to seek forgiveness for his/her sins.
* Sprinking a few drops of Ganga-water purifies the impurest of souls.
* Putting a few drops of Ganga water in the mouth of a dying person ensures his stay in heaven and deliverance from hell.

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Now, let's try to find out whether these beliefs have a logical basis or not-
It is highly likely that the ancient Indian scientists had unveiled the healing effects of Ganga in a manner in which most discoveries happen i.e. serendipity!

It is observed that Ganga's water is more bacteria-resistant than normal ground-table water and can stay fresh for a longer period than other rivers' waters.

People visit Ganga in the earlier part of its course in the religious cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh and take its water with themselves in bottles. Surprisingly, it is found that Ganga's water doesn't rot or stink even after being kept bottled for years!

Researchers have attributed this Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal and Anti-septic property of Ganges' water to its high sulphur content which it gains from the rocks it washes through AND from the presense of anti-bacterial microbes like bacteriophage in its water.

So, all in all, Ganga's effects, although dependent on sulphur-content and presence of microbes, still remain a topic of discussion between the skeptics (like me) and true believers.

Fact is, Ganga water does heal by slowing down bacterial growth but should we believe the stories of it being a loving Goddess for this very fact?

Answer 2

Yes! The Ganges actually have healing properties. The river itself has a larger amount of dissolved oxygen than any other river. The river breaks down human and animal waste 25 x’s faster than any other river. The water itself contains a natural disinfectant that kills pathogens that cause widespread disease. Scientist have studied the river and have discovered that the water contains bacteriophages, which are microorganisms that feed on bacteria. That is why some consider the water to have healing properties.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Does The Ganges River have any healing properties? What exactly?

Answer 4

Of course not............ Only in the minds of misguided Hindu believers. What it does have is a lot of rotting carcasses floating in it! Oh boy! Wanna take a dip?

Answer 5

No way.

Answer 6

Don't know but i p1ssed in it once.