In October 2016, I started off to what would become one of my life’s most defining experiences. With my standup paddle board, I paddled across the River Ganges for a hundred and one days. Join me as I take you through my journey as I followed the Ganges from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, one paddle stroke at a time...
Padding through the Ganges, India's holiest river, I witnessed layers of history, ecology, and culture unfold before me. To me, it was more than an adventure, it was a mission to understand, document, and be inspired. This expedition covered more than 101 days and over 2,977 kilometers from the icy Gaumukh to the vast Bay of Bengal. The river was my classroom, a connection to a legacy that has flown through millennia.
The Ganges is so vast and intricate, her legacy interweaves through India's culture, economy, and biodiversity.
In India, she is a spiritual lifeline; she is revered as a goddess and is seen as the epitome of purity. Her waters are believed to have cleansed sins, blessed her children, and nurtured civilizations. Yet, in our journey, we saw that the river that gives life needs saving from the very people whom she gave life to.
The Ganges is a living ecosystem supporting nearly 500 million people, sustaining 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species, and sheltering the endangered Ganges river dolphin. Partnering with the WWF, we conducted the first-ever river dolphin survey via SUP, spotting over 860 Gangetic dolphins. These apex predators are indicators of the river’s health. Seeing the dolphins in their natural habitat was indeed beautiful, but their dwindling population was a wake-up call for the fragility of the river.
Through this expedition, I aimed to raise awareness of the existential issues faced by the river while showcasing the transformative potential of stand-up paddleboarding, one stroke at a time. Our mission was not just to paddle, but to advocate through paddling. Advocacy extended beyond speeches; it is action-driven. From single-use plastic (the other SUP) to untreated sewage, the challenges were stark but not insurmountable. By documenting the level of pollution, meeting local communities, and promoting initiatives for cleaner water, our advocacy #SUPagainstSUP brought pressing issues under the spotlight. We collaborated with NGOs such as WaterAid to support grassroots efforts and take actionable recommendations to the local authorities.
Our journey had three phases:
Phase 1 - From Gaumukh to Devaprayag
Phase 1 - Starting at Gaumukh, the glacier-fed source of the Ganges at 4,020 meters above sea level, we trekked 260 kilometers to Devprayag. Here, the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers merge to form the Ganges. Trekking in high altitudes meant battling thin air, steep climbs, and unpredictable weather.
The spiritual aura of Devprayag, with its confluence of the sacred rivers filled us with reverence. Standing on her banks, I reflected on how this mighty river who was born in the Himalayas would traverse plains, sustain life, and face monumental challenges to finally enter the sea
Phase 2 - We had to paddle with an adrenaline-fueled spirit from Devprayag to Rishikesh, maneuvering the unchecked rapid flow of the river. We witnessed the pristine beauty in the upper Ganges that had never seen any signs of urbanization. However, this beauty came at a price - the river would absolutely inundate anything in her way.
Rishikesh marked the end of this tumultuous phase and was the start of calmer adventures.
Phase 3 - Beyond Haridwar, the river was wide and steady, meandering through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Paddling 40-60 kilometers daily, we encountered the vibrant life that thrives along the riverbanks: bustling towns, serene villages, and sacred ghats. The plains have held stories of the river's grace; farmers tilling the fertile soil and fisherfolk enjoying the river's bounty for generations.
Connecting with the river was not unlike connecting with the people; journeying through the plains brought it all together.
The Ganges' ability to heal itself, to carry sediments from the Himalayas and thus dilute the pollutants mirrored the human spirit's ability to renew and revitalize. However, as I paddled on, I saw the grim reality, that in the name of adulation, we humans have put the river's boundaries to the test. Industrial waste, human excreta, religious offerings, encroachment, and sheer negligence have threatened the river's very survival.
Camping under the star-filled skies, meeting the villagers, and witnessing the beauty of the river firsthand teaches one how interconnected all things are. The Ganges is more than a river, she is a lifeline, a teacher, and a testimonial to the unyielding spirit of India.
This journey made me believe in the power of individual action. Adventure can be a catalyst for change, creating conversations and mobilizing efforts for a cleaner, healthier planet. The Ganges taught me that it is not an obligation but a privilege to protect nature; it is about preserving the threads that connect humanity to its roots.
To anyone reading this, get out of your comfort zone, take a paddleboard, or even just a walk in nature and connect to the world. We can help the rivers to continue flowing so they will feed the life of many generations that may come ahead of us.