Cultural Documentation of River Ganga from Gaumukh to Gangasagar – Prayagraj District

This Namami Gange project is being undertaken for the Jal Shakti Ministry, Government of India, under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) scheme. INTACH is assisting the Ministry in the capacity of a knowledge partner. Three divisions of INTACH namely; Natural Heritage (NH), Architectural Heritage (AH) and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) divisions have been engaged in the cultural mapping project, of three aspects natural, tangible and intangible assets along Ganga.
The objective of the project is to conduct field investigation and document existing cultural assets on either side of the river Ganga (within a radius of 5Kms, starting from its source, i.e. Gangotri, down to its point of dispersal at Ganga Sagar) and to produce for the ministry a detailed, illustrated report based on the primary and secondary resources available.

Prayagraj District

The report covers the foremost topics related to intangible heritage, with the research comprising a mythological and historical overview, the city in antiquity, a look at Shringverpur, Pratishthanpur and Jhunsi, and the later catch and release of colonialism. The recognition of Prayagraj as Tirtharaj or the ‘king of pilgrimage’, its deep connection with the philosophy of Sanatan Dharma, the history of the Kumbh Mela and its relevance to the city, including its related rituals and folk traditions, are some of the important aspects of the study.

The famous Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb, and the impact of the literature and language of the city on the rest of the country has been documented; as also its various communities residing in close proximity to the river.The numerous sacred complexes and ghats, the fairs and festivals,craftslike moonj basketry, performing traditions like the Pattharchatti Ramlila, and foodways unique to the region have also been recorded, along with interesting traditions like that of gehrebazi, a form of horse racing, and the well-known Sufi Daire of Allahabad.

Check out more on the INTACH ICH Archive:
https://icharchive.intach.org/Detail/collections/81