The idea of water bringing about spiritual purification is widespread across many religious traditions, representing the cleansing of the soul and awakening of the spirit.
- The practice of taking a sacred dip in rivers has been an integral part of Hinduism for ages. The earliest references to the spiritual significance of rivers appear in the Rigveda, one of the oldest texts in Hinduism, where rivers are often praised as goddesses.
- It is believed that taking a dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna can lead to the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- Jains revere the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and they perform rituals near such waters as part of their spiritual practices.
- In Christianity, baptism by water symbolizes the cleansing of sins.
- According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ underwent baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River to fulfil God’s will, even though he was sinless. It was a moment of spiritual transformation that marked the beginning of his public ministry.
- In Islam, ablution is a purification ritual performed before prayers and other acts of worship, wherein Muslims wash their hands, mouth, face, arms, and feet. This is to ensure cleanliness, both physically and spiritually, as it is believed to purify the individual before approaching God in prayer.
- In Sikhism, the “sarovars” or pools at gurdwaras symbolize spiritual purification and represent God’s grace. In addition, the initiation ceremony of the Khalsa (Sikh soldiers of God) involves administering “amrit”, or holy water prepared by mixing water with sugar crystals, to the initiates.