Welcome to Ganga Utsav: Each drop of Ganga bears a tale in it- a tale that portrays the spirituality of India, its culture and its ability to bounce back and its green responsibility. Ganga is not a river but a soul of India. It is a festivity of this soul. It is not a festival alone, it is a national movement which remembers and honors this holy river and we should keep in our mind that our rivers are the lifeline of our life.
What are Ganga Utsav?
Ganga is not only a big river of India but it is the source of faith, culture and even a source of livelihood of crores of people. In Puranas, the river Ganga has been praised as mother. It is saving life-giving.
But nowadays Ganga is suffering lots of issues, such as drinking water pollution, plastic use, dirty sewages, and waste materials. The festival of Ganga Utsav is meant to sensitize people about this crisis and get them to revive this sacred river.
Where is Ganga Utsav and what takes place?
The festival is normally festivaled in sacred locations such as Chandi Ghat in Haridwar though the effects of the occurrences are felt in over 139 districts in the Ganga basin or the river, such as Varanasi, Patna, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Ranchi, Bhagalpur, and Kolkata.
Main attractions:
- Devotional music and traditional dance – including classical vocals, Kathak, folk songs, and flute melodies.
- Local handicraft fairs – “Haat on the Ghats” where local artisans sell their handmade products.
- Environmental sessions – discussions with scientists and experts on how we can keep the river clean and protected.
- Activities for children – painting, essay writing, puppet shows, street plays, etc.
Why celebrate Ganga Utsav?
Ganga is not just a major river of India but is the basis of faith, culture, and livelihood of crores of people. Ganga has been worshipped as a mother in the Puranas. It is life-giving, salvation-giving.
Today however, Ganga is encountering numerous issues such as e.g., pollution, utilization of plastic, filthy drains and industrial waste. The cause of Ganga Utsav is to sensitize the people about this crisis and also encourage people to revive this sacred river.
How is Ganga Utsav celebrated?
1. Cultural Performances:
Ganga Utsav celebrates the diversity of India. Here are some of the performances you get to see:
- Bharatnatyam performance at the ghats of Kashi
- Bhojpuri folk song from Bihar
- Jhora dance from Uttarakhand
- Dramas on Ganga by children
All these performances connect people emotionally and explain the importance of the river in simple ways.
2. Environmental Activism:
- Ghat cleaning: Local youth, NGOs and elders together clean the ghats.
- Tree Planting: Greenery is increased by planting trees on the banks of the river.
- Plastic Free Campaign: Public awareness is spread against plastic bags and bottles.
- Water conservation exhibition: People are made aware about water conservation through posters and models.
3. Informative discussions and workshops:
Leading scientists, environmentalists, educationists and policy makers of the country participate in these. Some of the topics discussed are:
- New technologies for cleaning Ganga
- Climate change and its impact on rivers
- Role of rural communities
- Participation of women and youth
Participation of children and youth:
Special focus is given to children and students in Ganga Utsav so that they become aware of the environment from a young age. For this:
- Rangoli, painting and poetry competitions are held.
- Stories and plays based on the river are shown.
- River-related adventure sports like river rafting are conducted (with safety).
- Essay competitions and quizzes are organized in schools.
Beyond Ganga – Connecting other rivers of the country:
The objective of Ganga Utsav is not limited to Ganga only. Other rivers like Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Brahmaputra etc. are also being included in this.
States are being encouraged to respect their local rivers, clean them and connect people with them. This is creating a pan-India river-awareness movement.
Some memorable highlights of the past years:
- Women-led rafting campaign:
In this campaign, rural and urban women together did river rafting and shared their views on river conservation. It became a unique example of the combination of women empowerment and environment. - Haat on the Ghat:
This is a small market which is set up on the banks of the river. Organic products, handicrafts, herbal goods and traditional food items are sold here. It provides financial support to local artisans and self-help groups. - River dialogue:
Local youth, saints, village elders and environmentalists sit on one platform and share their stories, experiences and views related to Ganga. It is also performed in local languages so that more and more people can connect with it.
Spirituality and environment—together:
The Ganga is worshipped as a mother. But if we pollute it and dump garbage in it, is it true devotion?
Ganga Utsav teaches that:
- Puja materials like flowers and garlands should not be thrown into the river but should be dumped in pits or composted.
- Puja with biodegradable items.
- Carry out mass ghat cleaning drives after festivals.
- True virtue is attained only when devotion is combined with understanding and responsibility.
Who can participate?
Ganga Utsav is for everyone:
- If you are a student and want to learn something new.
- If you are an artist and want to perform.
- If you are a volunteer and want to clean the ghats.
- If you are a scientist and want to share your ideas.
- If you are from an NGO or CSR organization and want to work for the society.
- Then Ganga Utsav has a special place for you.
Digital Ganga Utsav – Connecting with technology:
Now Ganga Utsav is not only on the ground but also on mobile and laptop. Through virtual programs, it has reached every corner of the country and even abroad.
- Some digital activities:
- Online River Quiz – with prizes
- Virtual Art Gallery
- 3-D River Journey Experience
- E-Pledge Campaign in which people take a pledge digitally that they will keep the rivers clean.
Ganga Utsav and Namami Gange Mission:
Ganga Utsav is an emotional and cultural part of the Namami Gange program, a flagship scheme of the Government of India. The programme works towards reviving the Ganga through technical and scientific methods, such as:
- Building sewage treatment plants
- Controlling industrial waste
- Monitoring the river water level
- Protecting biodiversity
- Ganga Utsav connects this scheme to the common man.
Saving Ganga – It is everyone’s responsibility
If we want our future generations to also bathe in the holy waters of Ganga, we have to take these steps from now onwards:
- Stay away from plastic
- Adopt organic farming
- Do not throw garbage near rivers
- Do not misuse water
- Harvest rainwater in both villages and cities
Conclusion:
Ganga Utsav is another feature that gets us closer to our roots, makes us feel the need to take care of the environment and offers an opportunity to collaborate with each other.
Not only Ganga is a river, but the flow of our religion, our culture and even our posterity.
This time when Ganga Utsav is going to take place, Let us not be mere spectators but participants. Since life can only survive when Ganga survives,If You Are an artist and you want to show your works