The Ganges holidays

Beginning its journey at the Himalayan glacier Gangotri, the Ganges is one of the holiest rivers in the world and an essential lifeline to the millions who live along its course. For Hindus, the Ganges is believed to be a divine river that flows from heaven to purify humans. They believe the Ganges is an elixir of life – purifying one’s sins and bringing salvation to the dead. The Ganges is even more sacred in the holy city of Varanasi (formerly known as Benares) where millions come every year to take a dip and perform rituals - the perfect place to experience India's famous spirituality and culture. At dusk every evening, a beautiful ceremony takes place along the Ganges River, known as the Ganga Aarti. This is an ancient Hindu ritual that involves lighting candles and using fire as an offering to Goddess Ganga (the goddess of this holy river), which is an uplifting and gratifying event to witness. For thousands of years, the Ganges has been the lifeblood of Indian civilization and culture, so you can discover this sacred waterway on a river cruise and learn why millions come to bathe in its waters each year. Read more