 he most sacred river of India is the Ganges, which Hindus literally believe flows from heaven to earth for the purification of all whom its waters touch. To the Hindu the Ganges is divinity in the form of a river.
Originating high in the Himalayan mountain range, the Ganges emerges on the Indian plains at the holy city of Hardwar (also called Gangadwar–the Gateway of the Ganges). The Kumbha-mela is held here every twelve years.
Any bathing in the Ganges is considered supremely purifying and meritorious, but the most auspicious place in Hardwar for the sacred bath is known as the Brahma Kund (also known as Hari-ki-Pairi).
Every night at about 6:00 p.m. there is worship (arati) of the Ganga at the Brahma Kund. The arati-worship consists of an elaborate ritual of offering large lamps to the Ganges accompanied by the loud banging of ceremonial gongs, the playing of musical instruments and the singing of hymns in praise of the Ganges.
In February of 2003, pilgrim-monks from the Atma Jyoti Ashram participated in the Ganges worship, which they also videotaped, as well as the shrines and religious goods shops located around the Brahma Kund.
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