I was traveling in Rishikesh and there was an enormous pilgrimage for people to visit a temple dedicated to Shiva.
I learned of a number of fascinating traditions from the pilgrims.
One was to fill a water bottle with "Ganga Water" to splash onto some hanging fabric at the entrance of the temple.
On the 14km hike up the mountain to the temple I was invited to a chillum circle. As we sat around smoking and talking I saw one of the other people reach down and take a drink from the water bottles so many people had hanging from their belts.
I asked, "Is that... your Ganga water?"
They responded, "Yes! Would you like some?"
I said, "Thank you, but my body is unfamiliar with drinking Ganga Water. I think it will make me sick."
They replied, "Maybe you are already sick if you are unable to drink Ganga Water."
One was to fill a water bottle with "Ganga Water" to splash onto some hanging fabric at the entrance of the temple.
On the 14km hike up the mountain to the temple I was invited to a chillum circle. As we sat around smoking and talking I saw one of the other people reach down and take a drink from the water bottles so many people had hanging from their belts.
I asked, "Is that... your Ganga water?"
They responded, "Yes! Would you like some?"
I said, "Thank you, but my body is unfamiliar with drinking Ganga Water. I think it will make me sick."
They replied, "Maybe you are already sick if you are unable to drink Ganga Water."