Prayers to Ganga Mata are performed by Hindus to express their indebtedness and appreciation to GOD for giving mankind the all sustaining water without which existence will be impossible. While the Ganges River is the “Ganga” that is referred to here, “Ganga”, by inference includes all water that is made available to mankind.

In the absence of the Ganges in South Africa Hindus here still worship Mother Ganga at any convenient river, lake or even a pond. There are some institutions that have actually made special pools and water from the Ganges have been brought to fill these pools for the creation of an ideal place of worship of Ganga Mata.

Ganga is often referred to as the purifying waters from Heaven. The Ganges River has a continuous flow. Flowing water washes away all impurities. At the commencement of any prayer water is thus sprinkled on the prayer goods, the surrounds and the people around as a symbolic gesture of removing all impurities.

The Ganges descended to Earth from Heaven. There are several mythological stories which refer to the descent of the Ganges. One such story is that of King Sagar. He had lost his men through a curse pronounced by Kapil Muni because they had disturbed him while he was in meditation. Taking pity on the king, Kapil Muni said that when Ganga comes down from Heaven and washes over the ashes of the dead, normality will be restored to his family. King Sagar’s son, Bhagirathi was able to, through great penance, get a boon from Brahma that He would allow Ganga to flow down to Earth. However the force of the Ganga falling will be too strong for the Earth to withstand. Bhagirathi then, through great penance, was able to solicit the support of Lord Shiva who agreed to allow the river to fall on His hair and the flow onto the Earth. Thus Ganga came down from Heaven. With its source at Gangotri it flows through the plains of Haridwar, then through the holy city of Varanasi, meeting the Yamuna at Allabhad, then through the Sagara Island and into the Bay of Bengal.

Referred to as Ma Ganga, no one is denied Her blessings. Like a true Mother, Ma Ganga nourishes all nature and inhabitants it passes. Without any discrimination Ma Ganga purifies the viuous and the sinful.

Because of the greatness of Ma Ganga, prayers to Ganga Mata will be undertaken by the residents of Emona on Sunday the 08 June 2014. The special Murthi of Ganga Mata will be installed on the banks of the dam. This site will be a constant reminder of the importance of water in our lives, its purifying power and its indispensability , not only in Emona, but everywhere. May Ganga Mata preside over Emona and bring peace, unity and prosperity while blessing its inhabitants always.