Ganga is odious in the plains. It is not like that when she begins her journey from the Gangotri glacier. She is pristine, pure and ecstatic as she traverses through deep valleys before reaching the holy town of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. It comes as a shock to see the emerald colour of the river (see pic). It is stunningly beautiful. It's enchanting and inviting.
You realise why seers and mendicants head to the banks of the river Ganga in the mountains to seek peace and solitude.
Ganga in Shivpuri, a few kilometres ahead of Rishikesh, is fast flowing and energetic. Clean fast river is a sight for sore eyes. It is said that the river washes away your sins!! Frothing and crashing on rocks, the Ganga is ideal for rafting and having an adventure. There are over a dozen rapids between Shivpuri and Rishikesh. When the water is placid, the boat masters encourage you to jump overboard.
The crisp, clean water of the Ganga will leave you feeling melancholic. For you will realise that she is going to get really, really dirty in no time.
It is high time we quickly clean up the rest of the river to match the state she is in when she starts her journey.
A happy, gurgling Ganga and that sinking feeling
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