Among the slopes of the Himalayas, where the great Ganges River originates, its waters are as pure as the tears of a baby. But the further the stream moves away from the source, the more it resembles a gutter. A billion Hindus consider the river sacred, but this does not prevent them from clogging it day after day. Industrial enterprises also contribute, of course.
We propose to trace how the water turns from transparent to cloudy brown as the Ganges approaches the mouth near the city of Calcutta.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges The confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, tributaries of the Ganges. Here, in fact, the third largest river of the planet begins. As you can see, the water is very clean.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges The Ganges in Hindu mythology is a heavenly river that descended to earth. Therefore, on its shores, churchmen conduct many sacred ceremonies.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges At the source of the Ganges is the city of Devaprayag — a place of pilgrimage for Hinduism and one of the five "sacred mergers". The photo shows 19-year-old Lokesh Sharma, a fourth-generation priest.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges Evening prayer in Haridwar. The water is not so clean anymore. Thousands of Hindus plunge into the river every day, believing that it frees them from their sins.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges Statues of gods are also dipped into the water. Some of them, for some reason, remain there.
All colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river GangesAll colors of dirt: how Indians are killing the sacred river Ganges