Collect Holy Water from Ganges River

DB1st

A colleague of ours asked us to collect Ganges water for him when we visit Varanasi in October. He is originally from India. I assume he is Hindi as he wears a 9-gem Navaratna necklace. I am too afraid to ask him too many personal questions for fear of being politically incorrect. So here are my questions to this forum:

1. Which ghat is best to get the water from?
2. How much Ganges River water should I collect?
3. Any particular kind of bottle I should put it in and can I buy the container in Varanasi? I don't want to be disrespectful.

Thanks!

Nick-H

I think you mean Hindu, which is a religion. Hindi is a language.

Don't worry about asking questions? How can it be politically incorrect to be interested in someone's religion. Even if you don't feel that it is something you can broach with a stranger, he has already given the opening by asking you for the favour --- so take all these questions to him; you might get all sorts of other interesting information too!

It might be a little untactful to mention how polluted the Ganges is. If I ever go anywhere near it, I'll wash my hands with soap, hot water and disinfectant afterwards . Something for you to bear in mind.

hfot2

In Haridwar, another very holy site on the Ganges, all the river front shops carry a wide variety of sturdy blue plastic bottles for collecting Ganges water. The bottles are about as ordinary – homely, even, in the old and good sense – as you can imagine. But it's the water inside that counts. I remember seeing the bottles in sizes from about a cup up to a gallon.

Try as we might, my wife and I can't remember seeing the same bottles in Varanasi, but we can't imagine that they aren't there. You might want to get something nicer, and that will surely be available. But it will also be more fragile.

I believe you'll find that flights leaving India follow carry-on regs even stricter than USA's. We can't get through airport security at home with more than 3 oz bottles, though you can carry a quart-size ziplock bag full of them. I disremember whether you can carry any liquids at all onto the planes in India. So if you want to bring back a bottle of any size for your friend, you'll have to check it through. That makes the plastic bottles even more desirable, as they might survive rough handling better. I'd think of sealing them into a couple of ziplock bags against leakage, too, and keeping them out of the suitcase that has your electricals.

As to what ghat, I'd suggest Asi Ghat, which is the most upstream (which, in Varanasi, means most southerly) ghat that's easily accessible. There are holier ghats (Dasashvamedah is said to be holiest, and it's central), but they're downstream and afflicted with even more of the secular pollution that compromises the holy Ganges.

edwardseco

You can get collapsible plastic jugs, say 2 1/2 gallons, for what is decidedly a one time only use (you'll see). That much water is only 20 pounds and should satisfy even a dying relation (been there...)..

n kumar

Which ghat is best to get the water from?
Any ghats in varanasi except manikarnika,harishchandra ghat or naradh ghat.How much Ganges River water should I collect?
It depends how much water you can afford to take.
Any particular kind of bottle I should put it in and can I buy the container in Varanasi? I don't want to be disrespectful.
The best way to carry is take 500 ml,1litre or 2 litre empty mineral water bottles as the lit can be closed properly, please dont use those cans or bottle sold on ghats as the lits cannot be closed properly and it might start leaking.
The most respectfull way to carry is in copper containers sold in the shops.

Shaktipalooza

I'd add a fair bit of chlorine to whatever you end up collecting. By the time it gets back to the US it'll be pretty ripe

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Eastern Mind

Here are a couple of possibilities for your friend's use. Ganges water is used most often to bless stuff. At the opening of temples, it is often poured on the deities (murthis) or on the peak of the outside garbagriham (central tower) itself. If your friend is purchasing a new house, he may also want to have some for that ritual called (most obviously) a house blessing. Some devout Hindus wouldn't even move in until this is done. As far as putting chlorine in, he would most likely NOT want that, as it would be seen as a corruption of the water's holiness.

I recall using it here when we installed a Siva lingam at our temple. (One of the times I made sure to avoid the teertham completely)

I'm with Nick on the shy bit. Just ask him what its for. I'm sure he'll gladly explain. But for sure, he will consider it very holy (expensive?) stuff, the way you might consider a rare bottle of 100 year old cognac.

brishti

will you be allowed to carry the 'holy water' through customs DB1st ?
i thought the US had strict regulations regarding foodstuff / liquids coming into the county.

you can carry the water in a 500ml empty coke/7Up plastic bottle... [i doubt its disrespectful]
them bottles dont usually 'drip'... besides, no point in presenting him with the 'correct' bottle sans water inside.



:brishti

fsg

They sell Ganga water in small copper tubs sealed just for travellers. about 40ml, just search for it.

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edwardseco

There is no provision against water that I know of & it isn't a foodstuff so... However, make very sure against leaks & even slow evaporation over time..

Boston123

Yes, you can buy samples ( 20 to 500 mls, is what I recall)in copper containers that are welded shut... avoiding any possibility of leaks. In some cases you may get water collected at a cleaner spot, upriver, closer to the Himalayas.

If it is to be used at a 'planned' time, say blessing a building etc.. you can break it open right before the event. The bigger problem is when people ask for this water,on their death bed. An opened container can perhaps be kept for a few days.

genesis

Bottled ganges water in varanasi is a fairly common commodity. You should be able to buy plastic cans (which for lack of a better description look like mini versions of the jerrycans at the back of jeeps).
Alternatively filling an empty bottle of mineral water would do. Assi Ghat would be the cleanest and most convenient (being upstream). I kept 2 bottles for over a year without any issues. (almost ending up drinking one but remembered just in time )

Your colleague will be happy to get the ganges water in any packaging. It is the source which matters not the packaging. It is usually used for sprinkling (signifying purification) in religious ceremonies.

Dont worry too much and enjoy your trip!

Darmabum

Yes, by all means, ask questions; it might help you answer one of your own questions - How much to bring back? And your colleague might also have a ghat-preference, knowing that they all will available to you. My choice would be Asi Ghat, in the neighborhood where I live each time there. It is perhaps easiest to access. Dasashawamedh can be a circus, walking the gauntlet of touts, massage-givers, palm readers and general salesmen can be daunting, but if it's your first time to Varanasi, it is a Must

If the colleague needs the water only as a icon, I'd also suggest the copper containers sold all over Varanasi. They are/can be, small (I've seen many sizes for sale in Varanasi) and the one friends brought back for me in '83, only recently leaked.

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cityMONK

1. any ghat where people seem to be filling there drinking bottels.
if mud is no problem to your friend then o.k but if it is
just fill a litre bottle from muncipality TAP.these taps are spread all over on streets and near or outside eateries.these provide free running filtered and purified water.


2.one litre is enough

3.plastic or pearlpet bottels are in fashion now.previously or traditionly there is metal container called GANGAJALI.this metal is alloy of some 5 metals and normally keeps the gangajal crystal clear clean for years.it is i hope around less then 500ml volume flask as only few drops are used.it was/is normally kept near bedside of body of departuring soul and few drops inserted (shaped in that style) straight in mouth by relatives attending, just before death of person.
these drops would ensure safe passege of departed soul to haven after death.i think you will get GANGAJALI very easily in market or shops around ghats.

DB1st

Thanks to all for the good advice and information.

We'll be staying near Assi Ghat so we'll collect water there.

And I'll over come my fear and ask my collegue today for specifics.

Thanks again!