Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1766 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-08-20
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Hindi, Bengali
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 150 minutes

Amazon.com
The Ganges River (Gang Ma or Great Mother) is the holiest river in the world. Rising from the pure glacial meltwaters of the Himalayas, it flows down onto India's Northern Plain, then heads eastwards into the swamplands of Bangladesh, finally discharging a 500-km (310-mile) tongue of red silt into the Bay of Bengal. As well as filling wells and irrigating crops to sustain the cities and villages along its banks, it is the spiritual life-blood for India's primary religion, Hinduism. Bathing in the Ganges remains the lifelong ambition of many of India's believing masses, who consider the river to be a living goddess. People gather daily at her banks to murmur prayers, baptise children, wash vibrant coloured saris, drink her waters or simply die believing such acts help absolve sins and lead the way to Nirvana.

Ganges reveals the source of the river high in the Himalayas, the youngest mountain range in the world, and follows its route as it sharply incises the mountains on its journey south-east. Along the way we discover the Hindu story of the river's creation, and how it supports the myriad forms of life that thrive on its banks. With stunning, evocative images by photographer Jon Nicholson, Ganges is a true visual feast, as teeming with life and colour as the mighty river itself.

Synopsis
This sumptuous series tells the story of the most extraordinary river in the world - the Ganges. Human life and nature bustle along her river banks, in a kaleidoscope of colour and energy in this dramatic BBC documentary. From man-hunting tigers to giant lizards, in Ganges the wildlife encountered is as diverse as the people. Travelling from the peaks of the Himalayas through frenetic cities to the teeming delta where the river meets the sea, this is a vibrant and colourful look at how the Ganges shaped the wildlife, culture and beliefs of India..

Customer Reviews

Ganges: the best presentation by far
I saw the entire BBC series and the narration was simply fantastic and emotive; said with complete involvement all through the programme in a lovely voice...having visited the Ganges at Varanasi, Haridwar and Rishikesh I was captivated by both the spectacular photography and the smooth narration said with absolute involvement...there are great rivers all over the world but the Ganges has got spirituality entwined about herself and is indeed a sight to behold; in its end the Ganges unites with the Brahmaputra (a point possibly missed?) and then breaks into tributaries to open into the Bay of Bengal sea. Seriously worth possessing in your collection.

Emotive and sumptuous
A wonderful and emotive journey along India's holy river with no holds barred. Well written, filmed and excellent narration make this one of the wonder journeys of television series. Sumptuous shots and sounds.

It brings back many happy memories to those who have been able to stand on the banks with the privilege of having its waters lap around one's toes.

A must for those who wish to learn about this fascinating sub-continent and for those who like to remember.

See also: The Story of India : Complete BBC Series

Ganges
The three programmes follow the three stages of the river's development. The youthful, mature, and senile stages. From the source in the Himalayas to the delta in the Bay of Bengal. The last programme, set in Bengal, is the best for explaining human interaction with the river. I shall say no more, but its good for teaching Geography with, its up to date, and its the BBC at its best.