The River Ganges: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site

Hello, I'm Miss Ramalli, and welcome to today's lesson, which forms part of our unit on "Pilgrimage: why are people still drawn to ancient places?" Into today's lesson, we're going to focus on the River Ganges, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. Okay, let's begin. The lesson outcome for today's lesson is: "I can describe how many Hindus see the Ganges as sacred and explain why they may go on pilgrimage to Varanasi." To help guide us through our lesson today, there are four key words. Our key words are "dharma," "pilgrim," "sacred," and "moksha." "Dharma" is acting with compassion for the good of humans and all living beings. "Pilgrim" is a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons. "Sacred" is something that is considered holy, divine, or deserving of great respect. And "moksha" is freedom from samsara, the cycle of life. In our lesson today on "The River Ganges: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site," it's going to take two parts. First of all, we're going to explore what is the story of Mother Ganga. Then we're gonna move on to consider why is the River Ganges a place of pilgrimage. Okay, let's begin. The River Ganges, also known as the Ganga, is one of the most famous and sacred rivers in the world. The river flows from the mountains of the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal, passing through many cities and villages. Priya has a Hindu worldview. Priya says, "Many Hindus call the river 'Ganga Ma,' which means 'Mother Ganga. ' The River Ganga flows through India, and 40% of Indians, millions of people, live on her banks and rely on her for cooking and cleaning. She's like a mother because she provides people with their daily needs. There is an ancient story about how the River Ganga came to Earth that helps explain why she's so special to Hindus." Let's complete a check for understanding. True or false? The River Ganges is known as "Mother Ganga" in Hinduism. Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer. Well done to everybody that said that statement is true. Why is that statement true? Well, Hindus speak of the Ganges as a "mother," as the river provides people with their basic needs and is seen as sacred. The story of Mother Ganga explains why the River Ganges is sacred to many Hindus. Brahma is the form of God who brings new things to earth. A long time ago, when Lord Brahma looked down upon the earth, he saw a terrible fire sweeping across the lands. Alarmed, he watched as the flames ravaged everything in their path. The pure and powerful goddess, Ganga, immediately sprang into action. "Send me to the Earth, Lord Brahma. I will extinguish the fire," she offered. With her immense strength and fiery passion, Ganga appeared like a radiant vision. Her hair and clothes flowing around her in a dazzling display of water. Let's complete a check for understanding. Which Hindu deity wanted to be sent to Earth to extinguish the fire? A, Brahma; B, Shiva; C, Ganga? Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer. Well done to everybody that selected C, Ganga, as the correct answer. Lord Brahma instructed her to take the form of a powerful torrent of water, for water is the best at putting out fire. Without hesitation, Ganga transforms into a rushing river, cascading with force and descended to Earth. Unfortunately, because she was so powerful, coming in a form of water that strong as she raced towards the flames, Lord Shiva saw what was happening. He realized that Ganga's strength was so overwhelming that her flood of water would not only extinguish the fire but also destroy the Earth itself. Lord Shiva is the form of God known for calmness, based on thousands of years of yoga and meditation practice. Shiva sat in the Himalayas. He sat crossed-legged and eyes closed, deep in yoga practice. His hair grew around him until it covered all the surrounding ground. Ganga's powerful waters struck him full force. The water landed amongst Shiva's hair. The thick hair held the water, and then it parted in seven fast-flowing streams. Rather than destroying the Earth, Ganga's waters flowed off Shiva's tangled hair, soothing the flames and bringing life back to the scorched land. Wherever Ganga's waters touched, new life flourished. Rivers teemed with fish and the plains became lush with plants. Animals arrived to drink, and people came to bathe. Ganga became the life-giving river, respected as a mother to many in India. The Ganges became a symbol of purity, strength, and compassion. And Hindus believe that by bathing in its waters, they can cleanse their sins and connect with the divine. This story explains why the river is seen as sacred and how it holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people. Priya reflects on the deeper meaning of the story. "As a Hindu, this story teaches me that the natural world is divine. All rivers, trees, and mountains are forms of God. The River Ganga is sacred like a mother because she sustains life and provides people with what they need. The story reminds me that we need to protect the Earth in the same way Shiva protected the Earth by slowing the flow of Ganga as she descended to Earth. Let's complete a check for understanding. What are some of the deeper meanings of the story of Mother Ganga for Priya? A, The River Ganga is sacred like a mother. B, It is dangerous if water flows too quickly. C, All living things are divine. So for this answer, you are looking for two correct meanings. Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers. Welcome back, everybody, and well done if you selected A and C as the correct answers. The deeper meanings of the story of Mother Ganga for Priya are that the River Ganga is sacred like a mother, and all living things are divine. So now we're going to pause, and we're gonna complete a practice task. I would like you to give a reason why the story of Mother Ganga might help Hindus understand why the River Ganges is believed to be sacred. I would like you to use the following words in your answer. "Ganga," "mother," "sacred," "divine," "strength," and "Shiva." Pause the video to complete the practice task and then press play when you're ready to check your answers. Welcome back, everybody. Time to check your answers for the practice task. I ask you to give a reason why the story of Mother Ganga might help Hindus understand why the River Ganges is believed to be sacred. You may have included the following points. "In the story, the goddess Ganga descended to Earth using her strength. Lord Shiva spread out his hair to spread the water and slow it down. The story teaches many Hindus to see the river as a sacred mother who protects them and gives them their daily needs. It also teaches Hindus to see all of the natural world as divine." Fantastic, everybody. Well done on completing your first practice task. So that moves us on to the second part of our lesson: "Why is the River Ganges a place of pilgrimage?" In this lesson, we will be trying to better understand why the River Ganges is important to Hindu pilgrims today. We will look at photographs and interviews with Hindus who have visited the sacred River Ganges. Looking at photographs and interviews can allow us to examine places that are important to many people and to hear the impact of pilgrimage. Millions of Hindu pilgrims visit the ancient city of Varanasi each year. Varanasi is located in northern India, on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Pilgrims visit the Ganges every year to take part in religious rituals, prayers, and celebrations. True or false? Millions of Hindu pilgrims visit the ancient city of Varanasi each year. You have five seconds to pick your answer. And well done to everybody that's selected true. Why is that statement true? Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred River Ganges and is also believed to be the home of the Hindu deity, Shiva. Priya has a Hindu worldview. Priya says, "Many Hindu pilgrims travel hundreds or thousands of miles to visit the holy city of Varanasi. I traveled with my family from the UK. I remember it was a colorful, busy, and noisy city." And here on the screen you can see an image of the ancient and holy city of Varanasi. Let's complete a check for understanding. Which two things might pilgrims notice about the holy city of Varanasi? A, it is quiet; B, it is busy; C, it is colorful. Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers. Well done to everybody that's selected B and C. The holy city of Varanasi, it is busy, and it is colorful. Many Hindus make the pilgrimage to Varanasi to bathe in the River Ganges. Many pilgrims visit at sunrise. Many believe the water will wash away and purify them, and wash away their sins or bad karma. Here on the screen, you can see two photographs taken on the River Ganges. There is a Hindu pilgrim bathing in the River Ganges, and the pilgrims on the riverbank in Varanasi. True or false? Most Hindus believe the River Ganges is sacred. Well done if you selected true as the correct answer. Many Hindus believe the water from the River Ganges will wash away their sins. What can you see in this photograph? Pause the video, have a discussion with your partner or in a small group, and identify what you can see in this photograph. Okay. Welcome back, everybody. Fantastic discussions. One of the features of Varanasi are the cremation ghats. Ghats in Varanasi are steps leading to the riverbank. The sacred waters of the Ganges are seen as central to samsara; the cycle of birth and death. Some Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi can help them achieve moksha. This would release them from the cycle of rebirth. Some Hindus choose to go to Varanasi when they are nearing the end of their life. Others have their ashes scattered in the Ganges by family members. Priya explains why she traveled with her family to visit the sacred River Ganges. Priya tells us, "My family and I traveled to Varanasi when my Granddad died. We scattered his ashes in the sacred River Ganges. We hope that his atman or spirit will achieve moksha and be reunited with the ultimate reality, a Brahman." Priya says, "This ritual is part of our dharma to show compassion for my granddad. Although I felt sad, I was comforted by the belief that his spirit may achieve moksha. Achieving moksha is the goal for most Hindus." Let's complete a check for understanding. Which two sights are you likely to see at the bank of the River Ganges? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers. Well done if you selected A and B. Fantastic. Hari has a Hindu worldview. He explains one of the many problems causing pollution in the River Ganges. Hari tells us, "I volunteer for a nonprofit organization that works to clear pollution in the river. People make daily offerings of flowers which are put into the river in small cardboard or plastic boxes. I help clear away old flowers and boxes. Dharma teaches me to act with compassion towards the sacred river for present and future generations." True or false? The sacred River Ganges is currently very polluted. Well done if you selected true. The River Ganges is currently very polluted, and some Hindus are helping to clean it up. Okay, so now we're gonna complete our second practice task. You need to complete the following task or answer the following questions. One, give three words to describe the holy city of Varanasi. Two, name three things that a Hindu pilgrim may see at the River Ganges. Three, explain why some Hindus bathe in the river. Four, what does "moksha" mean? Five, explain why a belief in moksha influences many Hindus to scatter the ashes of family members in the River Ganges. Good luck completing the practice task. Pause the video here and then press play when you're ready to check your answers. Okay. Welcome back, everybody. Your answers may look like this: One, "Three words that can be used to describe the city of Varanasi are busy, noisy, and colorful." Two, "Three things that the Hindu pilgrim may see at the River Ganges are pilgrims immersing themselves in the river, the cremation ghats, and offerings of flowers." Three, "Many Hindus bathe in the River Ganges because they believe the water is sacred and will wash away their sins." Four, "'Moksha' means freedom from the cycle of samsara, the Hindu belief in the cycle of life and death. Achieving moksha is the goal for most Hindus." And five, "Many Hindus scatter the ashes of family members in the River Ganges because they believe the spirit or atman will go to moksha. This action is also fulfilling dharma." Fantastic. Well done on all your hard work completing the practice task. So that brings us to the end of our lesson on "The River Ganges: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage." So let's consider what key points we've covered into today's lesson. The story of Mother Ganga illustrates how the Ganges is regarded as sacred by most Hindus. Hindus may make pilgrimage to the holy city of Varanasi by the River Ganges, as they believe that bathing in the River Ganges will purify and rid them of sin. The River Ganges is an important site for death rituals. Many Hindu pilgrims scatter the ashes of family members in the River Ganges because they believe that this may help the spirit or atman to achieve moksha. And the River Ganges is currently very polluted, and some Hindus are working to clean it up. Acting in this way is acting out dharma. Well done on all your hard work into today's lesson. Thank you for joining me. Goodbye.