THE MIRACLE OF THE GANGES

I just came back from two and one half weeks in the heart of India. As someone pointed out India is an acronym for I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN! Wrong, it is a country and culture that one trip just won’t cut it. It is a very large country (with just one time zone) allowing for many religions and varied cultures all in one large place. All are welcome. (Deal with that Trump!)

One of my fellow travelerseloquently journalizied what we learned and experienced over the 17 days we were there. This blog is about just one aspect of the adventure – the waters of the Ganges River.

Here are some “facts” related to the Ganges that were told to me by people who either did not know, never been there, never read anything about the river or wanted to let me know that based on their knowledge, I was crazy to go there. I am so glad that I did not listen to them.

Yes, the Ganges is quite crowded during the day as Indians bathe in the Ganges. Others are washer people doing laundry in the Ganges. No, I did not inquire as to whether that is where my hotel got their laundry done. Others are steeped in prayer, kids are diving in and women are bathing in their saris.

In the spring, the Ganges water level is quite low. When the monsoon season hits the Ganges will rise up to 30 feet above the current level of the water. The Ganges is actually wider than what it appears because of the sandbar that the low water level exposes that makes the opposite shore look closer.

The water Is not a pretty color. However, the water comes from the Himalayas and some say it is clean. I saw the people who bathed in it also drank it. Not for me. BUT, I had to put my feet in the water just to report that I did get some experience in the Ganges.

The night before we visited the Ganges and saw funeral pyres along the Ganges River. I did not see any bodies floating by as I was told I would by some back home. I did see bones that did not incinerate in the funeral fire being thrown into the Ganges. In one crematorium I counted 11 pyres going and more being built. It is  a three hour burn. The families attend the cremations.

Further down (or up) river there were daily religious ceremonies being performed with 30 to 40 thousand people in attendance. About half of the people were in boats as we were. The boats were jammed in together – most full to capacity and many were way over capacity. It was a beautiful ceremony with fire, lights, bells and chanting. It was enchanting.

As we sailed back to our departure point, the sky was dark and the river was dark save for the lights on shore which went out as we were approaching our “docking” point. We navigated by the lights in our smart phone. Imagine Holland America announcing all hand on deck and light your iPhones, we are at the next port of call!

We safely navigated our way off the boat, up the stairs and down the crowded dark streets to our coach.  Everyone made it back safely and when we took a count, we found a cow also joined our group. Not really, but it was possible.

The next day it was back to the Ganges for a ride back to where we experienced the pyres and the religious ceremonies to experience the Ganges in the daylight. I had just spoken with a lady friend back home. She is a Registered Nurse and asked about the Ganges experience. When I told here we would be back to Ganges she instructed me to obtain Ganges water to bring home. I said,”OK!” When I mentioned this to our trip leader he said some people think that Ganges water can cure you of ailments. Hmmm. How would Gina know that? He also told me that they sell containers to take Ganges water back. (Not in my carry on bag!)

As you float in your man powered boat other boats , like floating souvenir shops come by and they sell everything including little brass containers which they will fill with about an ounce of Ganges water for you. Problem solved. I will carry it on.

If the water will cure ailments I figured I will dip my legs in it. My knee has been hurting, so why not? The water did feel good, but my knee still hurt. Along the shore area there were Hindi priests painting faces, chanting prayers, tying strings on your wrist.  Once again, why not? I did all that and my knee still hurt! But, I had my Ganges water to take home.

A few days later and a 13500 mile flight, I was home. I actually forgeot about the two little Ganges brass bottles until I got to the bottom of my tchochke bag. When Gina came by I gave her the bracelet, the necklace and the blouse I got for her and one of the brass containers. With the Ganges water.

After dinner last night she said, “I have something to tell you.” Hmmm. She is too old to have a baby,  or she might have won the lottery, I was curious. When she said it had something to do with the Ganges water I was nervous as I told her it could give you severe Delhi Belly. No, she said. If you recall, she is a registered nurse who works in an assisted living facility. It is an expensive facility, apartments can run up to $7000 per month or more.

Gina’s friend, also a nurse with a patient in the same facility . She asked Gina to rub some of the Ganges water, our Ganges water, on her patient with Pancreatic cancer. What could it hurt? Gina took her finger and dipped into the brass container, rubbed the liquid on her hand and then rubbed her hands on the lady with the cancer.

Later that day, her friend said the lady wants to talk to you. The cancer patient reported that she did not need any pain medication for more than six hours. She felt good for the first time in a long time. Gina, a devout Catholic, saw it as matter of faith and a miracle for the lady who has limited time on earth as her cancer has spread. But the six hours were wonderful for the patient. Gina felt so uplifted as I did because I was able to bring the water home with me and have it do some good. 

India, I know I will Do It Again.


July 15, 2016 - the lady succumbed to her cancer.

 

That is my experience, you decide.