Ganges Makeover to Turn the Entire River into a Hub of Spiritual Tourism

As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission to clean up the Ganges, four ministries of India promise to work hand in hand to cleanse the polluted holy river and make it a hub of spiritual tourism.

The Ganges is a sacred river for Hindus. Its water is believed to be purifying, but science suggests a different story. Untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste make it one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Much of the pollution is caused by the staggering amount of human ashes dumped into the water.

Locals Bathing in the Ganges River

About 32,000 people are cremated every year on the burning ghats in Varanasi. The traditional Hindu cremation attracts many tourists to the River Ganges, but it becomes a source of pollution.

As part of the clean-up project, the government is planning to build toilets in 14,050 houses in 202 villages situated along the Ganges. Polluted water from factories will be stopped to ensure a clean river. Tourism spots will be developed all along the banks of the Ganga, which starts in the Indian Himalayas and empties into the Bay of Bengal, over 1,500 miles long.

Despite the river's pollution, the Ganges River remains a holy spot in India. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims venture to three towns, in particular, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Allahabad to bathe in the river. The unique lifestyle also attracts numerous international travelers.