Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (Source: CSE Photo Archives).
Aarav and his family was visiting the city of Nawabs – Hyderabad during the winter break. Aarav was always attracted towards waterbodies, the greeneries around them and lovely birds which flock around waterbodies during winters. Once he arrived at Hyderabad – Aarav was excited to visit the river side of Musi. But when he reached there, the site was far from reality. The river which is mentioned as city’s life line in the text book – was panting for breath. Aarav turned to his mother.
Aarav: “Mamma, the water is stinking and I cannot spot any bird or turtle here!”
Maya: “Yes my boy – I brought you here to show – how careless can human beings be. Do you know this is the same story for Chennai’s Cooum, Kolkata’s Hooghly and Delhi’s Yamuna?” Maya continued – “every city was once named after its waterbody. Civilization grew along big rivers. Do you know we have special festivals around rivers?
State-wise representation of festivals in India related to rivers. (Source: Compiled by CSE)
Aarav thought for a moment. “Like during Chhath Puja, when we offer prayers to the Sun near rivers?”
Maya nodded. “Exactly! From the Ganga to the Yamuna, and all the way to Nile, rivers have always been considered sacred. In mythology, rivers are considered as Gods who brought life. That’s why during festivals, we pray and thank them for their water, which sustains us.”
Maya: “But you can see how people are throwing plastics, flowers, food into the rivers. The pharmaceutical industries around Musi also release harmful chemicals into it. Do you know Musi receives 2,000 million litres of sewage every day which is almost equal to 250 water days for Delhi?”
Aarav: “Is this the reason we do not see any bird, fish, or turtle inside this river?”
Maya: “Yes. During Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja, idols of Plaster of Paris (POP) are immersed in different rivers and waterbodies. POP idols can contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and poisonous oil paints. These can pollute water bodies and harm aquatic life”.
Durga Puja idol immersion in the Yamuna River. (Source: CSE Photo Archives)
Aarav: How do we save these rivers, Mamma? They need our help.
Maya: Yes, we all need to work together. Do you know most of our cities get water from surface-based sources, like springs, lakes, and rivers? Surface water even helps in recharging our groundwater sources. It is our duty to keep them clean. Hundreds of people bathe in these rivers every day and there are special occasions when millions come together and take a holy dip. So, the rivers need to be clean enough so that people do not fall ill after taking the dip.
Aarav: How do you know that a certain river is safe to take an open bath?
Maya: The Central Pollution Control Board of Government of India has come up with some standards so that the citizens know which river is safe for bathing and which is not. The Board comes up with regular reports on their portal. Or you may get the reports from the State Pollution Control Board’s website.
Aarav: So, can I search the river near me on the portal of Pollution Control Boards to know whether the river is safe for bathing on not?
Maya: Yes, of course. The report will tell you whether the water is acidic, contains any biodegradable plant, or animal waste in the water. If the water is acidic – it may affect your skin, eyes, ears, or any exposed part of your body. The human faeces if dumped into the river may get into your guts and cause intestinal problems.
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Faecal Coliform (Desirable 500 MPN/100 ml): Indicates low sewage contamination
pH 6.5 to 8.5: Protects skin and delicate organs (eyes, nose, ears) during outdoor bathing
Dissolved Oxygen (Minimum 5 mg/l): Ensures reasonable freedom from oxygen-consuming organic pollution (animal/human waste, industrial pollution, pesticides)
Biological Oxygen Demand (Less than 3 mg/l): Ensures reasonable freedom from oxygen-demanding pollutants and prevents production of obnoxious gases
Source: Notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India (2000)
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Maya: Do you know a big festival is happening in this January-February – where millions have gathered in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to take a holy dip? This is Maha Kumbh Mela – a 45 days event – that started on January 13th and is closing on the February 26th.
The event is happening after 144 years. Pilgrims include ascetics, saints, sadhus, sadhvis, kalpvasis from Himalayas and different parts of India. They all take bath (snan) at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati river. During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place: the traditional procession of Akharas called 'Peshwai' on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during 'Shahi Snaan', and many other cultural activities. The ‘Shahi Snaan’ starts with the Paush Purnima and ends with Mahashivratri (Final Snaaan). During such holy dip occasions, almost 6.5 million people assemble at Prayagraj.
We also have Kumbh every twelve years and Ardh Kumbh between two Kumbhs. “Kumbh is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and our Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. It speaks of a divine event called the Sagar Manthan or churning of the cosmic ocean, which is considered the genesis of the Kumbh. Pilgrims believe that they can cleanse themselves of sins, break the cycle of rebirth, and achieve spiritual liberation after such holy dips. Kumbh mela happens in Prayagraj, Hardwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. And this time it is "Maha Kumbh" at Prayagraj and is much special. Hence, the scale is huge!
Aarav: Asked out of concern, “Is it safe for pilgrims?”
Maya: Looking at the curiosity of little Aarav, she beamed and replied, “Yes. Our government is taking steps to keep the River Ganga clean. The drains that end up in the Ganga are directed to the sewage treatment plant (where all dirty water goes for treatment). Toilets are built ecologicalically safe. A dedicated team called as “Ganga Praharis” are formed who ensure the cleanliness of rivers and ghats while conserving aquatic life, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute. They also do round-the-clock cleanliness drives and use nets to remove waste from rivers and ghats. Further, they urge devotees to maintain cleanliness by refraining from throwing waste and garlands into rivers.”
Aarav: Thinking deeply, he asked, "If we can clean up during the Kumbh, why can we not clean it otherwise?”
Maya: “Of course, we can, Aarav. Rivers have a self-cleaning capacity but it only gets polluted when we add pollutants (chemicals that spoil the river’s water quality) more than the water can take. The initiatives like in Maha Kumbh help us learn that right implementation, planning and good will of all, can help us achieve the goal of healthy river.”
Aarav: “Mom, can you share with me some useful tips that I can tell everyone how to celebrate festivals and still keep rivers clean.”
Maya: Her face lit up. “Absolutely! Here are a few steps:
Aarav nodded. “We should follow these ideas too!”
Maya: She added, “You know, this isn’t just an Indian issue. The Amazon in South America, the Mississippi in the USA, and the Yangtze in China also face pollution from human activities. In Brazil, people celebrate Lemanjá Day by offering flowers to the sea. Some communities are now encouraging biodegradable offerings to protect the water.”
Aarav was thoughtful and pledged to keep rivers clean and share the tips with his friends.
Maya hugged him. “That’s the spirit! If we all work together, our rivers can stay beautiful and healthy for generations.”
Tamil Nadu: Theppa Thirunal and Madha Kulam
Theppa Thirunal is a festival whose locus is centred around the tank, on which the processional deity is taken out in a float. The festival involves ceremonial boat rides on rivers, lakes, or temple tanks and holds deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance.
Lady’s Tank or Madha Kulam, part of the 16thcentury Velankanni Church and the Shahul Hamid Dargah tank at Nagore are not just reservoirs of water but also hold profound religious, cultural, and environmental significance, particularly in relation to rivers and water conservation. Their roles are deeply interlinked with the spiritual and ecological fabric of the region.
Delhi: Nizamuddin Baoli
The 14th-century Nizamuddin Baoli in Delhi is a remarkable example of India's traditional water management systems and holds unique secular, cultural, and ecological significance. Its connection with natural underground springs and its historical association with rivers underscore its importance as a symbol of sustainable water practices and communal harmony.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Baoli, a deep stepwell built in AD 1321-22 at the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, New Delhi
Gujarat: Kunds
Surya Kund at Modhera, built during the Solanki dynasty, is one of the most spectacular examples. Temples to the sun typically have a tank reflecting the Sun because it is believed that the Sun God emerged from its cosmic waters. One of the most ornate stepped tanks, Surya Kund was used to store clean water and devotees would stop there for ceremonial ablutions before proceeding to worship.
Famous Ramkund Stepwell at the Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat.
Karnataka: Pushkarnis
The sacred and historic city of Hampi, built by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century, is renowned for its architectural brilliance, including structures designed for ritual bathing and cleansing, deeply intertwined with the Tungabhadra River. These water structures, including stepped tanks, sacred baths, and canals hold immense spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance related to the river.
Santhebennur Pushkarini Stepwell, Davangere, Karnataka, India – Built in the 16th century by Hanumantappa Nayaka, a local Palegar.
Punjab: Sarovars
The sarovar (lake) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, constructed in the 16th century, is not just a sacred water body but also a profound symbol of spirituality, inclusivity, and ecological harmony. Its association with rivers and its cultural importance transcend religious boundaries, making it a vital element of the region's spiritual and environmental heritage.
Senior Research Associate, Water Programme, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi