Taking a Holy Bath in the Maa Ganga (River) at Har Ki Pauri
Now the time has come and we have reached the Har ki pauri Ghat.
I reached Har Ki Pauri Ghat around 6 PM on June 25, and the 7:30 PM time was for the daily Ganga Aarti. It was an amazing experience for me. I reached the ghat, and I was feeling as if Ganga Maa's water was calling me, and I could feel the energy of millions of people on the ghat. People, full of joy and devotion, were there to take a holy dip in the holy Ganga River.
Pushpender Yadav
My eyes were quite wet because I was getting emotional that, after a long time, I was able to reach the Ganga River, and now it was the final time for me to take a dip and feel enlightened.
Before taking the actual dip into Maa Ganga, I remembered all the deities and all my ancestors so that, along with me, they could also get enlightened and be freed from the burden of their worldly duties. In that moment, time just stopped, and I hardly remember that there were millions of people around.
I took the dip in the holy Ganga, and the freezing water took away all my tiredness. My mind was more stable than ever, and I felt like the burden on my shoulders had been lifted. I felt free from everything now and happy, too. I felt light and deeply free from inside.
All the experience filled me with joy inside, and now I understand why taking a dip in the holy Ganga River is important at least once in a lifetime. In Hindu culture, it holds significance for many reasons. Still, everyone should take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganga River to realize that one can feel free simply by immersing oneself in the water.
I took the Ganga Aarti and left for the market.
After taking a dip, the time was around 7:15 PM, and the Ganga Aarti was about to start, so I waited for the aarti. The aarti began, and the scene was quite impressive—how people gathered together and became silent to witness the Ganga Aarti. No one needed to tell them to be quiet; everyone, by their senses, became quiet and listened to the aarti. I participated in the aarti and then left for the market.
The market around the holy Ganga is also quite amazing, but due to extensive modernization, you can find many things that are also available in other markets.
We wandered through the market and ate food at some places. By around 10:00 PM, we took a tuk-tuk back to our room and reached our hotel.
After arriving at the room, I was reflecting on my entire experience—how I visited the holy Ganga, how I enjoyed everything, how my mind was connected to the moments, and what my overall experience of the trip had been.
Overall, my experience was amazing, but I noticed some things that need to be changed. I observed that people are selling food items on the ghats, which leads to a lot of garbage on the ghats of the holy Ganga. People are throwing plastic here and there, even though they know it’s not good to spoil the ghats, yet they still do it.
Tips to keep in mind when traveling to Haridwar and visiting India.
- Book a hotel away from the Ganga River, as nearby hotels can be expensive and may dispose of waste directly into the river.
- Stay mindful and aware of your trip.
- Note that there are hardly any locals around; most people you encounter will be from other places ".
- Be aware that most shop owners and food vendors come from different states and cities.
- Do not throw garbage on the ghats.
- Avoid eating on the ghats to help keep them clean.
- Contribute to the growth of the ghats and the cleanliness of the Ganga River.
- Avoid visiting risky places or talking to people who make you feel uneasy.
- Keep your phones and belongings safe while on the ghats.
- Inquire about things first and then make decisions.
Keep all these points in mind. This experience was amazing; I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and learned a great deal.
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