Ganges River

The New York Times has an interesting photo essay on the Ganges River. The river, located in northern India, is the holiest river in the Hindu religion. The Hindi people believe that bathing in the river will cleanse the soul and having your ashes burned in the city of Varanasi and then dumped in the river will better your afterlife.

Unfortunately, the Ganges region is one of the most heavily populated in all of India and sewage flows directly into the river making it one of the most polluted rivers in the world. People bathe in the water daily and contract all sorts of diseases. The public health in these towns is attrocious with disease, infestation and no potable water.