7 Things You Must NEVER Do If You Keep Gangajal At Home

Gangajal refers to the sanctified pure Ganges water. In Hinduism, the sacred water of the river Ganga is of utmost significance. The Ganga river goddess is considered the most holy of all sacred rivers and the river of all Hindu deities. For Hindu natives, Gangajal is a part of extremely important rituals starting from birth to death. 

Gangajal is commonly found in the house of every Hindu believer, however, do you know that certain rules must be followed while storing gangajal at home? 

Let us check out the list of 7 things you must never do if you keep gangajal at home. 

7 Things You Should NEVER Do While Storing Gangajal At Home 

1. Never Store Gangajal In Plastic Bottle 

Currently, it's becoming more common for individuals to travel with large plastic water bottles filled with Gangajal till they reach home. However, this is a really incorrect practice. Gangajal shouldn't be stored in plastic bottles as plastics can contaminate water by releasing toxins into it. Additionally, plastics are harmful to the environment since they do not biodegrade. Gangajal is traditionally kept in glass, silver, or copper containers - copper being especially useful as it has antibacterial qualities and is said to enhance the health benefits of the water.

2. Don’t Store It For Long Time

Maa Ganga is renowned for her vitality and flow. Maa Ganga's flow, renowned from Hairdwar to Rishikesh, is said to be able to cleanse even the most serious sins. Thus, it is claimed that Gangajal shouldn't be left inert for an extended period of time.

Even though Gangajal is renowned for its extended shelf life, its cleanliness might be impacted by moss or fungus growing in stagnant water. 

3. Don’t Touch Gangajal With Unclean Hands 

Never handle the Gangajal container with unclean hands, regardless of whether it is housed in copper or plastic. Using unclean hands to handle the container defiles the water's purity and may introduce more contaminants into the Gangajal. As a sign of respect for Maa Ganga, always make sure your hands are clean and cleansed before handling the bottle or vessel or taking Gangajal in them. 

4. Do Not Use Gangajal On Random Occasions 

It is not appropriate to randomly scatter Gangajal throughout the home or drink it without any purpose. It's crucial to remember that Maa Ganga is cherished and venerated in India and that Gangajal should not be consumed in the same way as bottled water. Make sure your heart is filled with reverence before you even touch the vase that holds the Gangajal, and keep in mind why you are picking it up. Make sure to offer a prayer or at the very least acknowledge the holiness of Gangajal before consuming it.

Gangajal is considered a sacred component in every Hindu ritual. (Image Source: Canva)

5. Do Not Keep Gangajal Near Certain Spaces At Home

It's crucial to store your Gangajal properly once you've brought it home. Furthermore, a lot of specialists and elders advise against keeping Gangajal next to bathrooms or sleeping quarters. Toilets are thought to be filthy places where germs and garbage reside. Therefore, keeping the Gangajal close by may cause it to get tainted or may draw bacteria to the container in which it is kept. It is highly disrespectful to the Gangajal to purposefully keep it close to the bedroom or bathroom, and this should never be done. 

6. Do Not Consume Tamasic Food In The Room Where Gangajal Is Kept 

For Hindus, Gangajal, or water from the Ganga river, represents the pinnacle of cleanliness. People hold it in the highest regard and with great reverence due to its untainted character. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the cleanliness and purity of Gangajal's surroundings by removing everything that isn't thought to be particularly sattvic. For example, non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic and alcohol should not be kept in the area where Gangajal is stored. It is very forbidden to eat non-vegetarian food in the same room as Gangajal. 

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7. Gangajal Shouldn’t Be Touched While Wearing Footwear

Never touch the sacred Gangajal while wearing slippers or shoes as it is considered disrespectful towards the river goddess. Being disrespectful towards the sacred Ganga water invites misfortune. 

(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)