The Ganga River, which flows from the sacred peaks of the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, holds deep mythological importance in Hindu culture. Millions consider it a goddess that possesses the divine ability to purify souls and cleanse sins. 

For centuries, Hindus have relied on the waters of the Ganga, or Gangajal, for sacred rituals, ceremonies, and pilgrimages. But while the river is worshipped, its waters are increasingly polluted with industrial waste, untreated sewage, and plastic debris, making many large water bodies, including the Ganga, unsuitable for consumption or bathing.

Even while the water of Ganga remains polluted, some believe it is self-cleaning, a belief that has been recently challenged. The Uttar Pradesh Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported to the Allahabad Court that Ganga water is not fit for drinking. However, a fresh study by IIT-Kanpur suggests otherwise, at least for certain stretches of the river.

IIT-Kanpur study: Is Ganga water drinkable?

In this study, water samples taken from Gangotri to Rishikesh, across 28 parameters laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards, were analyzed by IIT-Kanpur. According to the report, the water is potable.

This study has created controversy as a video recently went viral on social media claiming that the Ganga water is potable.

In the video shared by Ashu Ghai, where he conducted several experiments upon the Gangajal - the water of the river Ganga, which Ashu had fetched from Haridwar. The video portrays that first, Ashu makes an observation under the microscope, to his astonishment no microorganism was present in it nor it contain any impurity. To find more accuracy Ashu goes through it with a professional laboratory test.

At the laboratory, an expert uses a 40X microscope to view the water. No contamination or organisms are seen again. The expert then decides to culture the water for a few days before testing it again. After the waiting period, the results are in: the water remains free of harmful microorganisms, including Coliform bacteria.

Since the video has garnered over 500,000 views, it has left most of its viewers astonished. The findings have left many commentators shocked and even questioning some long-held beliefs about the pollution in Ganga.

While the video and the study give a glimpse of hope, they do not nullify the apprehensions completely regarding the pollution of the river. The Ganga has faced many problems of industrial waste and other environmental issues that have made it non-potable in several parts of the river. The new research and testing do offer a different perspective that can change the belief that the river is polluted and non-drinkable.

With the viral video and the IIT-Kanpur study, the debate on the purity of Ganga has become a point of discussion. Can the Ganga still be considered holy and pure, or is it a river facing irreversible damage from human activities? More research and tests are required, and only then can the future of the waters of Ganga, both spiritually and scientifically, be seen.