Along the Ganges

The River Ganges has a thousand names. Hindu priests regard it as a sin to call her a river at all. She is a goddess, the source of the world, her waters are holy and healing and still sold to Hindus over the world. The author travelled along along the Ganges from the source to the great cities, by boat, bus and overcrowded train.

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The River Ganges has a thousand names. Hindu priests regard it as a sin to call her a river at all. She is a goddess, the source of the world, her waters holy and healing and still sold to Hindus all over the world. Ilija Trojanow travelled along the Ganges, from the source, where it breaks free from the eternal ice in the Himalayas, to the great cities, by boat, by bus, on overcrowded trains. He visited the great Hindu festivals and talked to those who warn of ecological disasters resulting from gigantic dams. His colourful report describes a country between ancient traditions and astonishing modernity and the holy river that crosses it for hundreds of miles. In January next year Haus will publish Ilija Trojanow's description of another great spiritual journey: Mumbai to Mecca. His travelogue, in the tradition of the rihla, one of the oldest genres of classical Arabic literature, describes the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam, through the eyes of a Westener, but with the heart of a Muslim. 'From the very first moment they realize that the Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca - is among the duties of each and every Muslim - the faithful long to go.'
So one January morning Ilija Trojanov, with the help of his friends donned the ihram, the traditional garb of the pilgrim, and boarded a plane in Mumbai to fly to Dhiba. He joined hundreds of thousands of Muslims, who each year go on the Hajj, the greatest demonstration of the Muslim faith.