The Ganga is the most sacred river to the Hindus. Along its length and breadth, Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, pray to their gods and cleanse their souls by taking a dip in the river and cupping the water in their hands. They even carry a small amount of water, known as Gangajal on their way back to be used in rituals. Devdutt Pattanaik traces the history of the Ganga in Hindu mythology. He discusses the importance of Ganga as a deity, her corelation with the other deities, especially Shiva, her prominence in different sects and her descent from heaven to earth.
