Hindu Temple Site

This video clip depicts the devotion and sanctity of Hindus performing Aarti for Sacred River Ganga which has been accorded the status of a mother and Goddess. This Aarti is performed every evening at the "Har ki Paudi" means the stairs that takes away your sins and purifies you. Anyone who does not believes this has a test to do this. You can keep Ganges Water in any plastic bottle or pot and you shall be amazed to see that it not only smells but also tastes good even after several years besides the fact that many people take bath, throw dead bodies or ashes in it. According to myths this sacred river was brought to earth by Bhagirath from heaven. Bhagiratha was the king who was pious and benevolent ruler of Kosala, a kingdom (now in UP) in ancient India. He was one of the forefathers of Lord Rama, of the Ramayana, the epic in which Bhagiratha's tale is primarily recounted. From the learned men Bhagirath came to know that only the Sacred river Ganga, that flows in the heavens can wash away the sins of his ancestors. Unless he bring her down to the earth to wet the ashes of his ancestors, they will be eternally cursed". Accordingly Bhagirath started to perform a terrible penance. He underwent many agonizing trials and set-backs, but he persevered. At last he obtained the boon that Ganga would flow on earth. However, the earth could not stand the force of her flow, so he sought the help of Lord Shiva to control the river's flow. Shiva arrested major portion of the river in his matted locks and let only a small portion flow to the earth, thereby making it possible for the earth to bear the burden. Ganga washed away the sins, and helped the ancestors of Bhagirath to ascend to heaven. Since she was brought to earth by the efforts of Bhagirath, she is also called Bhagirathi. Indian Mythology states that Ganga, daughter of Himavan, King of the Mountains, had the power to purify anything that touched her. Hindu belief holds that bathing in the river causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation People travel from distant places to immerse the Cremation and ashes collection ashes of their family / kin in the waters of the Ganga; this immersion also is believed to send the departed soul to heaven. People carry sacred water from the Ganges that is sealed in copper pots after making the pilgrimage to Varanasi. It is believed that drinking water from the Ganga with one's last breath will take the soul to heaven.