Ganga is the divine personification of the sacred Ganges River. In Hinduism, she and the river are worshipped as one. It is believed that the waters of the Ganges river are a channel for liberation and purification, both supporting life and fertile agriculture, and purifying and cleansing pollution of the body and the spirit. It can be understood that Ganga’s divine body is the Ganges River, and that the Ganges’ spirit takes up the mantle of Ganga. She is commonly interpreted as Mother Ganges.
She has the powers of compassion and comfort in the form of blessings to her many earthly children. Her motherly care can lead to a place that is free from sorrow, fear, old age, and death. The goddess is also said to be aware of everyone’s deepest fears and desires. Ganga takes these feelings upon herself, leaving the individual purified and strengthened. Everyday, millions bathe in and drink from the river, and pray on its banks. Using the water for washing, bathing, and cooking is a way to make sure one can receive Ganga’s blessings and grace. Ganga’s waters are understood to be the life giving, immortal liquid (amrta) of mother’s milk.
Ganga’s heavenly descent to earth (avatarana) is described in various ways in Hindu mythology. Many ways are associated with the three most important male gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. In one account, Ganga descends to Earth and uses Shiva to break hear fall. As she falls through his hair, she becomes divided into many streams, each flowing to a different part of the earth. This splitting had the spiritual purpose of cleaning and purifying the souls of the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara; the splitting of Ganga physically manifests as the rivers. She and the Ganges River continue to be understood and worshiped as a sacred place to honor the ashes of the dead and to guarantee a safe journey to the ancestral realm.
The cup that is nested within the folds of the garment is understood to bring good fortune to those that place a quarter inside of it.
