For many Hindus in India, the Ganga River is considered sacred as many worship it as a deity. They believe taking a holy dip in the river will cleanse their sins. But recently, a video has surfaced online
that has brought attention to this sacred river for a very different reason.
British biologist and television presenter Jeremy Wade shared a video from India on his Instagram account. Known globally for his show River Monsters, Wade explores rivers and aquatic life across the world. This time, his focus was on the quality of the Ganga itself, and he demonstrated it through a simple scientific test.
British Biologist Demonstrates A Water Test For The Ganga
In the video, Wade explains a basic chemical-based test that uses colour changes to indicate contamination. He begins by testing mineral water for comparison, explaining, “Pink means the river is clean. Anything else spells trouble.” The mineral water turns a darker pinkish-brown shade, which Wade describes as how clean water should ideally appear.
He then moves on to test water collected from the Ganga. As the chemical reacts, the sample changes to a light brown colour. He explained, “This is the Ganges water. What does this mean? It means faecal coliform bacteria. Basically, the water here is full of human waste.”
Wade also makes it clear that talking about pollution in the Ganga is not a straightforward subject. He pointed out that the river holds immense religious significance for millions, and questioning its purity often triggers strong emotions. “To point out that the Ganges is unclean is, to many Hindus, deeply offensive,” he said in the video.
He then meets a holy man who invites him to participate in a ritual bath in the river, a situation that left him in an “awkward dilemma.”
Trying to be respectful, Wade added, “Without causing any offence to anyone, I decided to take the plunge.” The video showed him stepping into the river to follow the ritual. Later, he admitted that he did not realise swimming was part of it. Describing the experience, he said, “It’s actually quite refreshing, though I’m trying not to think of what I’m seeing around me, particularly floating on the surface and what I’m treading on. It feels very soft and squishy.”
The man is also seen drinking the river water in the clip. But Wade chose not to do the same, and he only brought the water to his lips.
“I really do feel refreshed and set up for the day. Whether I get a dose of dysentery or worse remains to be seen,” he remarked.
Watch The Clip Here
Responses That Followed The Ganga Water Test
The video soon gained traction online and prompted a wide range of responses.
One user commented, “Blind belief helps no one, not even Ganga.”
Another wrote, “Religious beliefs are killing the Ganga; education without wisdom is just another form of ignorance.”
“In India, we worship rivers as goddesses, yet we tend to pollute them in the name of offerings, rituals and sacrificial traditions. What a pity to be the most ancient civilisation failing to withhold the nature,” a person pointed out.
“I have swum in that river several times, but up north on the foothills of the Himalayas, mostly in Rishikesh. I would not dare to swim in it further down. Because I have seen on a daily basis people throwing cow faeces into the river,” an individual said.
From The Himalayas To The Bay Of Bengal
The Ganga, also known as the Ganges, originates in the Himalayas and flows over 2,500 kilometres across northern India before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Along its course, it passes through major religious centres such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi.
