This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Religion and worldviews scheme of work. It shares reflections on the River Ganges, or Maa Ganga Ji, a river that many Hindus believe to be sacred and deeply spiritual. The speaker describes the river’s source in the Himalayan mountains as the centre of the universe, and explains the significance of festivals like Kumbh Mela, where people gather to cleanse their sins and thank the goddess for life and purity.

Even as a non-Hindu, the speaker recognises the river’s spiritual value and respects its role in people’s lives. They describe how locals collect Ganga water to take home and how the river in Varanasi is closely connected to everyday life. Although they personally would not enter the water due to pollution, they appreciate how powerful the mythology and symbolism of the Ganges is for many people, with the river seen as a goddess whose water is believed to have healing properties.

Religion and worldviews, Upper key stage 2, Year 5, Why are some places in the world significant to believers? Lesson 4: How can a river be a goddess?