How rivers gather beauty all the way!
Around their cradles mountains gloom and gleam;
Old mills beside their middle courses dream.

From the day one in Uttranchal, I had noticed a peculiar thing in Uttranchal, the significance of Ganga in Indian household. The holiest riverin India runs in 1,560 miles from Himalayas all the way to Bay of Bengal.

As I was strolling on the banks of Ganga, one priest in orange dress took a water in his hand and drank pronouncing “ Jai Ganga Maa”. The very evening I discussed the entire scene with my guide. He told me that in India Ma is referred to mother and our holy river is given this status.

The Holy River!
So much is the extent of belief that people think that a mere dip in the river washes away all the sins. I was astonished to see that people took water in their bottles to their homes as it is considered sacred. My guide, Pinku, told me that when a person dies, some drops of Ganga water is poured in his mouth so that he could attain sanctity.

As I went through the English version of the Vedas (Sacred book of Hindus), I came to know the real importance of the river in the Indian world of spiritualism.

I also experienced the action packed white water thrill in the river Ganges. It was indeed a wild water experience guaranteed to pull me out of the everyday existence and throwed me into the world of thrills, chills and pills. River rafting was divided into six classes from easiest to toughest for brave hearted. The magic of white water was such that I was easily able to sense the rush of adrenaline in my body.