Lord Shiva himself is water, the glory of water is mentioned in the scriptures and Puranas.

World Water Day 2023 Significance in Hindu culture: Every year 22 March is celebrated as World Water Day. The purpose of celebrating Water Day is to understand the importance and usefulness of water in life and to pay attention to water conservation. This year the theme of World Water Day is ‘Accelerating Change’.

importance of water in hinduism

World Water Day is celebrated in all countries and by people of all religions. But water has special religious significance in Hinduism. That’s why at the beginning of any worship, purification is done by sprinkling pure water and an urn filled with water is installed. In Hindu religion, the river is also worshiped as a mother. Along with worship, the importance of water is also found in many mantras and verses. The importance of water has also been described in the scriptures and Puranas.

• It has been said in Puranas that the weight of water on the earth is 10 times more than that of the earth.
• It is said that even unholy water becomes pure by Bhava, mantra, copper vessel and Tulsi.
• The water of river Ganges is considered the most sacred water. Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata describe the glory of Ganga in all the religious texts.
• It is said in Shivpuran that Lord Shiva himself is water.

It is said in Matsya Purana-

Sharad Kale Status Yat Syat Dukt Faldayakam
Vajpayee Rajabhayan Hemante Shishire Status
Adhvamegha Sanyam Praah Vasant Samaye Status
Summer, Tatshittam Toyam Raj Suyad Vishisyate.

This means that water remains in the reservoir only during the rainy season, which is going to give the fruit of Agnistrot Yagya for a limited period. The water that remains till the period of Hemant and Shishir gives the fruit of Yagya like Vajpayee and Atiram. The water that remains till spring gives results like Ashwamedha Yagya and the water that lasts till summer gives results like Rajasuya Yagya. This is the reason why water is important in spiritual and religious rituals in Hindu culture. The importance of water has been emphasized in the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis and Niti texts.

It is said in Rigveda-

Apsvantaramritampsu disguised as jampamut prashatye.
देवा भवत वजिनः।

It means- O Gods, you become knowledgeable in the use of water by knowing the nectar and medicine present inside the water for your progress.

Maharishi Vedvyas ji says in Mahabharata’s Sabhaparva-

आत्मप्रदं सौम्यत्वम्भद्यश्चैवोपजीवनम्।

That is, the education of self-sacrifice, gentleness and life-giving to others should be taken from water.

These fasts and festivals are related to the importance of water

• Donating water filled in an earthen vessel is important on Akshaya Tritiya. By donating water on this day, renewable virtue is attained.
• By getting a pyau made on Vaishakh Ekadashi, you get the same result as crores of Mahayagya.
• Water has to be sacrificed during Nirjala Ekadashi fast. This fast shows the utility of water and the importance of water.
• Bathing in holy rivers on full moon and new moon days has special significance.

read this also: International Day of Forests 2023: Whether it is Ramji’s exile or the penance of sages, forests have been important in Sanatan Dharma for centuries.

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