Discover the Ganges: Top 9 Fascinating Fun Facts About India's Sacred River

1. Amphibian party at the Ganges!

Whoever said variety is the spice of life must have surely been hopping along the banks of the Ganges River: this bustling waterway boasts a mind-boggling roster of over 90 species of amphibians! Amidst the croaks and splashes, you'll find rare gems like the South Asian river dolphin and the gharial, who are critically endangered and claim the river as their exclusive aquatic playground.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Holy water with a heavenly shortcut

Hold onto your holy water, Batman, because the Ganges River holds more than just H2O in its sacred flow: The venerated river is believed by Hindus to possess healing powers, with many keeping a vial of Ganges water at home, and it's also said that drinking it during one's final moments grants a golden ticket to heaven, all thanks to blessings from Lord Vishnu's feet.
Source => webpages.uidaho.edu

Discover the secrets behind the Nile River's ancient origins! A recent study has uncovered geological evidence revealing that the iconic river is a staggering 30 million years old, thanks to the slow movement of Earth's mantle. Dive into the fascinating tale!

=> Fun Facts about The-Nile-River

3. Varanasi's riverbank marketplace

It turns out that the Ganges River isn't just a favorite spa destination for Hindu deities and their entourage, it's also the lifeblood of Varanasi's vibrant marketplace: From silk weaving to crafting carpets with more intricate patterns than your grandma's doilies, the bustling economy along the riverbanks keeps the locals busy in industry and innovation. Oh, and don't forget the heavyweights - Banaras Locomotive Works and Bharat Heavy Electricals – keeping India's locomotive and heavy equipment game strong.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Ganga Mata's pollution problem

They say "cleanliness is next to godliness," but Ganga Mata seems to have missed the memo: The Ganges River, worshipped as a goddess and essential to over 40% of India's population, is also one of the top 10 most polluted rivers in the world with a staggering 1.2 billion pounds of plastic dumped into it every year, putting millions of people's health at risk.
Source => oceansplasticleanup.com

5. Snorkel-nosed softshell turtles

Who needs a snorkel when you've got a built-in one? The Indian softshell turtle is nature's underwater innovator: With its lengthy neck and tube-like snout, this unique creature – native to the Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi river systems – stealthily extends its nose above water to breathe while its compressed shell makes it a swift and agile swimmer.
Source => wii.gov.in

6. Life-sustaining yet bacteria-filled waves

Move over, Miley Cyrus - the Ganges River has been making waves for centuries while providing for millions: This sacred river is a lifeline to over 500 million people living along its banks, and despite pollution, efforts to improve water quality have shown pH, BOD, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity levels to fall within desired limits, though high levels of fecal coliform bacteria still remain in some areas.
Source => ndtv.com

7. Bacteriophages: Ganges' clean-up crew

Who needs hazmat suits when you've got the Ganges: This astonishing river houses a myriad of bacteriophages, taking the term "clean up crew" to a cellular level. Their mission? To eradicate harmful bacteria found in polluted sites and maintain the Ganges' healing powers in the face of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, proving that even the most sacred rivers have a viral sense of immunity.
Source => link.springer.com

8. Ganges River: Heaven, Earth, and Hell's celebrity

If the Ganges River were a triple-threat Broadway star, it would be belting out tunes in Heaven as goddess Ganga, tearing it up on Earth with its lifeline stature, and spooking folks in Hell with its boundary-crossing abilities: The Ganges River holds immense religious significance in Hinduism, flowing through Heaven, Earth, and Hell, while providing water to over 40% of India's population and supporting unique ceremonies like Ganga Aarti.
Source => sodhatravel.com

9. Aquaman's envious of Ganges River

Move over, Aquaman - there's a holier, fishier body of water that even you might envy: The Ganges River spans over 2,500 km, flowing through India and Bangladesh, while offering a sacred soul-cleansing experience to Hindus and being home to over 140 different species of fish.
Source => media.greenpeace.org