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No river has kindled Man's imagination like the Ganges. From its icy
origins high in the Himalayas, this sacred river flows through the holy cities
and the great plains of northern India to the Bay of Bengal. In a country where
the red heat of summer inspires prayer for the coming monsoon, the life-giving
waters of the Ganges have assumed legendary powers in the form of the Hindu
goddess Ganga, the source of creation and abundance. Pilgrims flock to her
shores to cleanse and purify themselves, to cure ailments, and to die that much
closer to paradise. Steven Darian writes of the human experience and the
legendary myths that surround the Ganges. While collecting material for this
book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to
the Ganga Sagar festival at Sagar Island off Calcutta where the sacred river and
the ocean merge.
"In a country where the red heat of summer inspires prayer for the coming monsoon, the life-giving waters of the Ganges have assumed legendary powers in the form of the Hindu Goddess Ganga, the source of creation and abundance. Pilgrims flock to her shores to cleanse and purify themselves, to cure ailments, and to die that much closer to paradise.
Steven Darian writes of the human experience and the legendary myths that surround the Ganges. The inspiration of poets and artists for centuries, the mysterious Ganga is the essence of the Divine Mother bringing increase and salvation, but also death and destruction.
"Nowhere are her powers felt more than in Bengal where Hindu and Moslem practices coalesce in worship of the capricious Ganga. Here the shifting riverbed of the great Ganges has built and plague as well as life and benediction to the people.
The inspiration of poets and artists for centuries, the mysterious Ganga is the essence of the Divine Mother bringing increase and salvation, but also death and destruction. While collecting material for this book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to the Ganga Sargar festival.
"While collecting material for this book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to the Ganga Sagar festival at Sagar Island of Calcutta where the sacred river and the ocean merge."
About the Author:
Steven G. Darian, professor of linguistics and comparative literature at Rutgers University, holds a doctorate in linguistics from New York University and degrees in applied linguistics, Asian studies, and creative writing. He taught at Columbia University.
Reviews:
"This book offers a wealth of information about the geography, history, and religious significance of the Ganga. It is important both as a scholarly study and as a work of interpretation that explores the hidden relationships between Indian art and religion. But thanks to his deep love for his subject and his excellent literary gifts, Dr. Darian has also conveyed something of the grandeur and poetry of the Ganga to his readers. And, indirectly, nearly all aspects of India's history and culture are touched on in these pages, reflected in the clear sunlit waters of the sacred river." - A.L. Basham
"Darian isn't just another chronicler. His book inspires awe and pride." - The Tribune
"This is the fruit of Prof. Steven G.Darian's hard labour and study of Indian history and mythology. He is successful to bring a sound study of the most sacred river to the Hindus." - Kalyan Bharati
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