In India, there are numerous holy rivers. Hindus adore these rivers and think they can atone for sins and bring good fortune. The Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Kaveri, and Krishna are India’s seven holiest rivers.
History
In India, sacred rivers have a long history that extends back to the Vedic era. The Vedas, the earliest Hindu writings, have numerous references to India’s holy rivers. The significance of rivers in Hindu culture and religion is also discussed in the Vedas. For instance, the Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sutlej, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers are mentioned in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas. The Vedas refer to these rivers as “heavenly” and “divine.” The Puranas and Epics, later Hindu scriptures, emphasize India’s sacred rivers much more. These texts claim that the rivers are the homes of the gods and goddesses. They claim that the rivers can wash away sins and bring good fortune.
Significance
India’s sacred rivers are important for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, they provide water for drinking, irrigation, and transportation. Second, they support many aquatic species that feed and sustain millions of people. Third, holy rivers are significant Hindu pilgrimage places. Hindus think bathing in a holy river can atone for sins and bring good fortune. Many Hindus also think that passing away by a holy river is fortunate.
Seven Sacred Rivers of India
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Ganges
India’s most revered river is the Ganges. Before draining into the Bay of Bengal, it travels from the Himalayas via Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh are just a few of the significant Hindu pilgrimage centres that may be found along the Ganges.
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Yamuna
The Yamuna is India’s second holiest river. It flows through Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan and is a tributary of the Ganges. Numerous Hindu pilgrimage centres like Mathura and Vrindavan are located along the Yamuna.
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Saraswati
The Vedas refer to the ancient river Saraswati. The Saraswati is thought to have formerly flowed through India’s northwest before drying up thousands of years ago. Hindus continue to revere the Saraswati as a holy river.
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Narmada
The longest river in Central India is the Narmada. It passes through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Numerous significant Hindu pilgrimage sites, such as Omkareshwar and Maheshwar, are located along the Narmada.
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Godavari
The longest river in South India is the Godavari. It passes through Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Numerous significant Hindu pilgrimage sites, including Nasik and Basara, are located along the Godavari.
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Kaveri
A significant river in South India is the Kaveri. The states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are traversed by it. Numerous important Hindu pilgrimage centres, notably Srirangam and Kumbakonam, are located along the Kaveri River.
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Krishna
A significant river in South India is the Krishna. It passes through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Numerous significant Hindu pilgrimage centres, including Tirupati and Srisailam, are in Krishna.
