The Ganges River is considered sacred, and its waters for the people of India, and beyond, have purifying powers. According to their beliefs, the Ganges is believed to be a personification of the goddess of that name. Tradition attributes to it the power to purify the soul and body. By entering the water, a person washes himself not only of physical dirt, but also cleanses himself spiritually, rejecting evil powers. However, despite its sacred status, the river is one of the most polluted in the world. But to understand the essence of the problem, we need to know its religious and cultural significance.