Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Today more than a billion people in the world are Hindus. DUA: The Ganges River. Death is the last samsara (cycle of life) referred to as the 'last sacrifice'. It is made up of a variety of different religious beliefs and practices. Corrections? West Bengal is the last Indian state that the Ganges enters, and, after it flows into Bangladesh, the Mahananda River joins it from the north. The Ganga created a vast Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and good fortune). Take a minute to check out all the enhancements! While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Followers of Hinduism believe that dying on the banks of the Ganges River and having ones ashes cast on its waters is the way to a happy afterlife. 'The river keeps changing every year. It is preferable for a Hindu to die at home. We have fun and learn. Are they burning dead bodies? The Ganges many tributaries originate from the nearby countries of Nepal, Bangladesh, and China (in an autonomous region called Tibet). Corrections? The river then skirts the Rajmahal Hills to the south and flows southeast to Farakka in central West Bengal state, at the apex of the delta. People are growing food to Please read our, Win a copy of A Little Monster's Guide to Positivity and A Little Monster's Guide to Mindfulness from Summersdale, make some traditional Diwali sweets and snacks, Holi crafts and print Holi colouring pages, video in which a Hindu explains her belief system to aliens, Bhaktivedanta Festival is the largest Hindu festival outside of India, video to understand more about Hindu worship, Lakshmi and the Clever Washerwoman on BBC Schools Radio, Win copies of A Little Monster's Guide to Positivity and Mindfulness. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Such changes have occurred in comparatively recent times, especially since 1750. Hindus believe the river is holy and taking a dip in it will cleanse them of their sins and bring salvation. What are some of the other important holy texts of Hinduism? Somemandirseven have a school inside where children can learn all about the Hindu faith, hear Hindu stories and talk about Hindu festivals. Hindus believe life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. (Literacy links are easy to make here). They also come together to sing in a special way; this is called a chant. It can be achieved both in this life and after death. 'As the Ganges flows across the plains of northern India, it slows and starts to meander, changing its direction. It originated near the Indus . In India the river is called the Ganga. Known as the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) River Basin, it is one of the largest river systems in the world. In 1970 a catastrophic cyclone killed at least 200,000 and possibly as many as 500,000 people; another, in 1991, killed some 140,000 people. Traditional Hindu clothes include a robe (dhoti) and shawl (chaddar) for men. Melting Himalayan snows in the hot season, from April to June, also contribute to the water supply. It is one of the most fertile of all agricultural regions. It then flows into Bangladesh,where it is joined by the mighty Brahmaputra River. Britannica does not review the converted text. This is done by accepting flaming kusha twigs from the Doms' who are part of the Untouchable Hindu caste responsible for tending to funeral pyres. Sisters tie a Rakhi to their brothers wrists to celebrate their love for their family. Some practices and beliefs may not be common to all Hindus as regional differences occur. In Bangladesh the Ganges is joined by the mighty Brahmaputra (which is called the Jamuna in Bangladesh) near Goalundo Ghat. Many of the words may end up in the shared area after discussion. The body is now an offering to Agni, the god of fire. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. It is composed of repeated alternations of clays, sands, and marls, with recurring layers of peat, lignite, and beds of what were once forests. Hindus cast the ashes of their dead into the river, believing that this gives the deceased direct passage to heaven, and cremation temples have been built in many places on the banks of the Ganges. NAYAN: This KS2 RE collection includes PowerPoints, worksheets, activities and games based on the Hindu Mandir, the Hindu Creation Story, Diwali, the main values of Hinduism, Hindu Gods and Hindu vocabulary. SUBTITLE: Firstly because it provides India with an important and much needed water. This short film explains why Hindu children throw paint and have bonfires at Holi, which is a spring festival, and explains what the celebrations are like in Leicester. Brahman shows himself through other lesser gods and it is often these that most ordinary Hindus worship. March 21, 2023 by Carolyn Johnston The Ganges is not only important to Hinduism, but also to Buddhism and Jainism. This River Ganges Fact File explains the importance of this sacred place to followers of the Hindu Dharma way of life. Lord Shiva realised the world would be destroyed from the floods, so stood on the earth and took the mighty force of the waterfall, changing the water into 7 streams of water. In a lifetime people build up karma, both good and bad, based on their actions within that lifetime. They believe that bathing in its waters washes away sin. Her brother Vraj is 11. The untreated sewage dumped into the river, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, remnants of partially burned or unburned bodies from funeral pyres, and animal carcasses all contribute to polluting the Ganges. Report this resourceto let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Hindus show their love for God by bringing a gift to offer to their favourite picture or statue; it might be food (known as prasad), incense or water. Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards. And it's right near the banks and that's where the most polluted area is. The main left-bank tributaries in Uttar Pradesh are the Ramganga, the Gomati, and the Ghaghara. Bangladesh and some Indian states rely on the Ganges to transport jute, tea, grain, and other agricultural products to markets where they can be sold. The Ganges River is a vital resource to Asia, but it faces many threats. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Tutorials are available to TheSchoolRun subscribers only but you can try for free: Learning the 4 times table, Long multiplication and Finding multiples. There is no industry so They meet a local scientist as they travel along the river, and discuss how the river is deemed sacred to Hindus and a lifeline to local people who use the river to irrigate their crops, to wash and to travel, yet it is heavily polluted. NARRATOR: For most of its course it is a wide and sluggish stream, flowing through one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world. Prashad - food that has been offered to God and shared with everyone visiting the mandir, usually sweets, nuts or fruit. There are an estimated 140 fish species and 90 amphibian species in the Ganges River. More from the series: My Life, My Religion - Hinduism. If there is a specific area of learning your child needs support with, our packs offer information, advice and plenty of engaging practical activities. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Cows are sacred to Hindus, who don't eat beef. Weve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. Oi look there's a lady there washing her clothes I think. Many of the stories from Hindu scripture occurred along the. Vishnu - God seen as a man who helps when things go wrong. It is important to remember that Hinduism is not only a religion but also a cultural way of life. 'Today we're going this way, tomorrow we may have to go a different route so it keeps changing.'. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. The three most important Hindu gods are Brahma (the Creator), Shiva (the Destroyer) and Vishnu (the Protector); together they make up a trinity (Trimurti). The water supply of the Ganges system depends partly on the rains brought by the monsoon winds from July to October. All rights reserved. KS2 Simran contrasts being a pilgrim with being a tourist. Karma - the idea that all actions have consequences which affect how people will be reborn in their next life. This is from the series: My Life, My Religion - Hinduism. Read more. Hindus believe that the Ganges River was created by Lord Shiva and is blessed by him. 'During the monsoon rainy season, flooding can stretch the river to 15km wide, depositing rich sediments, known as silt, which have been picked up along the way. Hinduism is over 4,000 years old, making it one of the world's oldest religions. The Hugli (Hooghly) River, an old channel of the Ganges, flows through the delta on the west. There are many different places for Hindus to go on pilgrimage. Kumbh Mela A Hindu festival celebrating the victory of gods over demons. We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. They believe that bathing in its waters washes away sin. Starting in the Himalayas and flowing into the Bay of Bengal, it drains one-fourth of the territory of India, and its basin supports hundreds of millions of people. pilgrimage Making a journey to a holy place in order to feel closer to God. paradox, that on the one hand we 'Im not on social media but just wanted to reach out and say I have been recommending you to everyone I know, with kids of course! Gangotri itself is a sacred place for Hindu pilgrimage. In each mandir there are murtis, statues and pictures which show Hindus different ways to think about God. Vedas - the earliest sacred books of the Hindus, a collection of hymns and poems. Its not only teaching my little one things, its showing me how things shouldve been done when I was younger. Each Hindu god is said to be a different part of the supreme God Brahman. SUBTITLE: Ganga is one of them. Look at how much sewage water is coming out into the river Ganges. Britannica does not review the converted text. The Ganges-Brahmaputra river system has the largest delta in the world. Simran, aged 14, introduces herself and her Hindu religion. Attainment Targets I can explain why water is important. The oldest hymns in Hinduism, the Rig Vega, begin to be composed. Mostmandirshave a statue of the god Ganesh, who has an elephants head and a mans body. When Hindus visit a mandir, they always leave their shoes outside. River Hindus try to make a visit to the River Ganges at least once in their lifetime so they can bathe in the waters. This karma affects their future lives and existences. The Ganges. Grades 5 - 8 Subjects After emerging from the mountains, the river flows onto the plains. Rivers Display Photos 4.4 (11 reviews) Rivers Display Banner 4.2 (6 reviews) Raging Rivers Display Banner. Why is the river Ganges important to Hinduism ks2? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Another sacred text is the Mahabharata, an epic poem which has over 100,00 verses! Why is the river Ganges important to Hinduism ks2? The surrounding river basin has a population of more than four hundred million people. I particularly loved your handwriting sections and the Learning Journey links that you have created. Hindus enjoy many festivals as part of their religion. It is largely a tangled swampland. 'It's gradually eroding and the silt is constantly moving around. The Ganges River Basin is sometimes considered part of a larger river basin consisting of the nearby Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. The body is then carried to the funeral pyre by the male relatives and prayers are said to Yama, the god of death. The source of the Ganges is located in the Himalayas. They believe that bathing in its waters washes away sin. Why is the ganges river important to hinduism? Moksha - a Hindus ultimate goal, to become one with God. this will be a great resource for telling the story of the creation of the river Ganges with my 3/4 class. Three 13 year old pupils from London, Dua, Amalia and Nayan, are on a trip of a lifetime to explore the river Ganges in India. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. The Ganges is the holiest river in Hinduism. Hindus cast the ashes of their dead into the river, believing that this gives the deceased direct passage to heaven, and cremation temples have been built in many places on the banks of the Ganges. 5. Hindus Vraj and Simran explain how they celebrate the festival of Diwali. What are the main causes of pollution in the Ganges River? After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. Religious songs and music are an important part of Hindu worship, as is dancing. SUBTITLE: At home many families have a shrine decorated withstatues or pictures called murtis. Each has different powers and Hindus choose specific gods to worship in specific situations and areas of the world. Why is the river Ganga considered as a holy river? By continuing to use this site, you consent to the terms of our cookie policy, which can be found in our. Omissions? Hindu people go on pilgrimages, religious journeys, to vist places that are sacred to the Hindu faith. River Ganges The most sacred river in India. and barrages, SUBTITLE: Traditionally it is the chief mourner who sets light to the pyre. The building where Hindus worship is called a mandir. Many gods are worshipped in Hinduism. NARRATOR: SUBTTILE: Conditions. They are in Patna, which is located on the middle course of the river where the Ganges is over 4km wide. The river is very important in Hinduism they see the river as a goddess . For Hindus, the Ganges is a symbol of purity and is considered to be the most sacred river in India. Lesson . The rivers explain so much about India like, just the size of the river explains how big India is and just the way India uses the rivers explains how they are as a country. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. The Ganges River and its surrounding watershed supports one of the most fertile and densely populated regions on the planet, and its intricate web of waterways offered a stunning view to the crew of the Space ShuttleColumbia on mission STS-87. The Ganges is one of the worlds biggest rivers, and seven times the size of the river Severn, Britains longest river. Tes Global Ltd is Explore the traditions, stories and beliefs of Hinduism, one of the world's oldest surviving religions, using the teacher-made resources below. The Ganges is one of the worlds largest rivers and comparative discharge, length and drainage area could be investigated. Your site has been fantastic. The region, called the Sundarbans, is protected by India and Bangladesh for conservation purposes. A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar. This glacier is the source of the river Bhagirathi, which joins with the river Alaknanda to form the might river Ganga at the rocky canyon-carved town of Devprayag. People are poor but they In India the river is called the Ganga. This makes the land extremely fertile.'. A popular one is a long poem called the Ramayana, the story of Lord Rama, an Indian prince, and his wife Sita. People prepare for Diwali by cleaning their house before they decorate it. As we have seen, this river holds a special significance in the hearts of Hindus. Many gods are worshipped in Hinduism. Krishna (worshipped as a god but also considered to be an avatar of Vishnu, one of the forms that the god took when visiting Earth). There are not many services I would pay to subscribe to, and even less I would recommend, but yours is one which I did!'. The river flows through northern India and Bangladesh. The Ganges River is the 35th longest river in the world. Rivers IKEA Tolsby/Fiestad Frame. This means that surface water and rainwater in the basin area flow into the nearby rivers. The Ganges River carries nutrient rich sediment as it flows, depositing fertile soil along its shores. Hindus believe that certain rivers are sacred and have the power to wash away sins (actions that arewrong in the eyes of God). The exploration of the river Ganges is an opportunity to see how humans depend on rivers but also pollute them. When the ice of this glacier melts, it forms the clear waters of the Bhagirathi River. Lesson . This makes the land. River Ganges - The Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus as it is considered to be an extension of Lord Shiva. These clips will be relevant for teaching Religious Education at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and First and Second Level in Scotland. St Pauls Place, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JE. After cutting through the Himalayas, the Ganges breaks out of the foothills at Haridwar and flows across the vast Gangetic Plain, receiving the waters of many tributaries along the way. The Mythology of the Ganges . The oldest are called the Vedas and are written in Sanskrit. Holiday / travel / journey / prayer / spiritual / swimming / worship / happy / food / once in a lifetime / ambition / hope / change / relax / challenge / fun / deep thoughts / River Ganges / Hindus / mountains. At some of the ghats the dead are cremated, and their ashes are scattered on the Ganges. Hinduism. Use of the Ganges water for irrigation, either when the river floods or by means of gravity canals, has been common since early times. Everyone sings and dances together as well as squirting each other with coloured water or powder! What is the story of Shiva and the Ganges? Her brother Vraj is 11. Ganga in Patna is mainly the domestic Varanasi and Allahabad are holy cities in Hinduism, and temples crowd their riverbanks. It is auspicious to drink from the Ganga in the hour before death, and many Hindus ask to be cremated along the Ganga and to have their ashes immersed in the river. Dua, Amalia and Nayan, are on a trip of a lifetime to discover the geography and scale of India. SUBTITLE: Thank you. Watch an animation of the Diwali story and then make your own Diwali lantern, Do some Diwali colouringor try some Diwali crafts, including some beautiful origami lotus flowers, Diwali cards and glitter-decorated tealights, At Diwali Hindus draw rangoli patterns (colourful designs, usually created on the floor near the entrance to a house) to encourage the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, to enter their homes. Death is the last samsara (cycle of life) referred to as the 'last sacrifice'. It then flows onto the plain at Haridwar, another place held sacred by Hindus. Thanks to authorstream for some of the information on Lord Shiva. They discover that the source of the Ganges is in the Himalayas and the deltas of the Ganges, as it reaches the Indian Ocean, are in Bangladesh. Their combined delta is the largest in the world. The Hugli itself is joined by two tributaries flowing in from the west, the Damodar and the Rupnarayan. The true source of the Ganges, however, is considered to be at Gaumukh, about 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Gangotri. NARRATOR: 'During the monsoon rainy season, flooding can stretch the river to 15km wide, depositing rich sediments, known as silt, which have been picked up along the way. drainage network of the Brahmaputra and Ganges river Ganges River, Hindi Ganga, great river of the plains of the northern Indian subcontinent. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is held in the Hindu month of Ashwin in September or October and marks the Hindu new year. What is the Ganges River? It is mentioned in the Vedas, the Purans, the Ramayan and the Mahabharata. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the terms of our cookie policy, which can be found in our. Lord Shiva realised the world would be destroyed from the floods, so stood on the earth and took the mighty force of the waterfall, changing the water into 7 streams of water. paradox. The rivers in the West Bengal area are sluggish; little water passes down them to the sea. It is built on the banks of the River Ganges and. The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers unite at Devaprayag to form the main stream known as the Ganga, which cuts southwestward through the Siwalik Range (Outer Himalayas) at the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain to emerge from the mountains at Rishikesh.