Page 41 - MANN KI BAAT (English)

Rituals like cremation on towards their conservation.
the ghats of Varanasi and Many spiritual leaders and
offering prayers at the banks environmentalists advocate
demonstrate the integral role for the protection of rivers from
rivers play in religious practices. pollution and degradation.
Numerous festivals in India, Campaigns such as the
for example, the Chhath Puja, Namami Gange project aim to
dedicated to the Sun God, the
restore the purity of the Ganges,
Pushkar Mela, held on the banks
emphasising that taking care
of the Pushkar Lake, and many
of these rivers is both a spiritual
more, are organised around
and ecological responsibility.
and in rivers, reflecting their
The belief that harming rivers
significance in Indian traditions.
equates to disrespecting divinity
These festivals enhance social
reinforces efforts to preserve
coalescence, harmony, and unity
by bringing people together in these vital water bodies, as the
collective celebrations of faith rivers in India are much more
and tradition. than physical entities; they are
The reverence for rivers also bridges connecting spirituality,
brings with it a sense of duty culture, and human life.

37
37