Humans have a direct relationship with rivers. All civilizations in the world have begun from the banks of these rivers. Humans have made rivers the basis of life. Since the beginning of creation, rivers have been praised in special glory. Whether it is Eastern scriptures or Western classical traditions. Rivers have played a major role as the center of spirituality. History and the present have shown that the basis of human life has been determined along with rivers.

The Indus Valley civilization began from the banks of the Indus River. Today’s Hindu civilization is also believed to have begun from the banks of the Indus River. Egyptian civilization is considered the oldest civilization in the world. This civilization is also located on the banks of the Nile River, which flows north from Central Africa. The civilization of Mesopotamia developed between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates). The Roman civilization developed on the banks of the Tiber River. The civilization of China is believed to have begun on the banks of the Hang River.

The special glory of rivers has been praised in Eastern literature. There are historical stories of the Bhagirathi Ganga making everything sacred. It is also described in the scriptures that the river provides salvation in this world as well as the afterlife. The name Ganga itself has become synonymous with sacred.

In this way, most of the major human civilizations in the world that have started and are still existing today have started from the banks of the river. It is found that the basis for human development has been made by making the river the basis. Even today, the main places of the world are found to exist around the river or the sea. The city of Paris in France is on the banks of the Seine River, New York is on the banks of the Hudson River, London is on the banks of the Thames River, Kathmandu is on the banks of the Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers, etc. Many cities have made the river their center.

One of the five elements is the river, which is the main source of water, and the river itself is the one that makes it easy to determine the route from one place to another and supply water and other things for human life. The river is also considered the center. It seems that the river has had a special impact on the geopolitics of the world. The river is also used as the basis for mapping. The geographical boundaries of most places are determined by rivers. In Nepal, Mechi River in the east and Mahakali River in the west are the boundary pillars. Since rivers are helpful in mapping the world as well as expanding access, they may also be the main center of river politics.

Most of today’s roads are built on the banks of rivers. BP Highway, Trishuli Corridor Road, Gandaki Corridor Road, etc. are direct examples of this. Similarly, there are some differences in the culture of people on both sides of the river. There are subtle differences in the values, beliefs, and language of the people. This may have happened due to lack of public contact. Small and large rivers have also become the geographical boundary delimiters at the local level. Rivers seem to have played a major role in geographical classification. This may have caused some differences in our civilization as well. Because the river has increased the distance between people, there may also be differences in culture and civilization.

The special glory of the river has been sung in the ancient literature. There are historical stories that the Bhagirathi Ganga has made sacred everywhere. It is also described in the scriptures that the river provides salvation in this world as well as in the afterlife. The name Ganga itself has become synonymous with holiness. Devprayag, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag, Kashi Vishwanathjastha are holy shrines on the banks of the Ganges River. King Parikshit also heard the story of Shrimad Bhagavatam on the banks of the Ganges River. Similarly, the description of Lord Krishna’s childhood games in the Yamuna River is mentioned in the Dashamskandha of Shrimad Bhagavatam. The special glory of the Koshi River, where sage Kaushik performed penance, is also described in the Puranas.

The vicinity of the river is a place considered dear not only by the gods but also by humans. It is found that human civilization has developed from the banks of the river. The river is beneficial not only for spiritual purposes but also for physical facilities, so it may be dear to human civilization.

Varahakshetra Dham is located on the banks of the Koshi. Krishnagandaki himself is Vishnuprabha. Muktinath Temple is also located on the banks of Kaligandaki, so the proximity of the river and the pilgrimage site is clear. The glory of Gandaki is described in Skanda Purana. The Bagmati and Bishnumati rivers in the Kathmandu Valley also have special glory. The temple of Lord Pashupatinath is described in Nepal Mahatmya that it is located on the banks of Bagmati. The Ramayana describes the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhyapuri, on the banks of the Saryu River. It is also mentioned that Vyas was born in the river.

The glory of Vyasa, who was conceived by sage Parashar and Matsyagandha (Satyavati) while crossing the river and was born in the river, is described in the Poona.
‘Ganges cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati.
Narmade Sindhukaveri jalesmin sannidhim Kuru.’
There is a rule to remember Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati etc. while bathing. This is mentioned in the Purastya ritual system that attains purity. In this way, the description of the river is found in the Purastya literature.

In the Purastya literature, the river is called the holy Ganges. There is a Western tradition as well as an Eastern tradition of worshipping the river as a goddess. In the world, rivers have been interpreted in some way or the other. They have been glorified. Whether in terms of civilization or in terms of use. They have been respected as sacred objects. The description of the river has also been detailed in literature. There are many stories, poems and poems related to rivers. Water is also the main basis of social development, and rivers are found to be the main basis of social development.

The main pilgrimage sites are also located around these rivers. Prayag, the confluence of Gaya, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, is located on the banks of the Phalgunanda River, Kashi Bishwanath is located on the banks of the Ganga River, Mathura is on the banks of the Yamuna River, Ayodhyapuri is on the banks of the Saryu River, and various temples of gods and goddesses exist in the vicinity of the Koshi Gandaki Karnali River, including Devghat, in Nepal. This also shows that the relationship between the river and the playground of the gods is close.

Roads and walkways are also planned based on these rivers. It is possible that human settlements on the banks of the river are comfortable and enjoyable, so every river bank is special. Since the river is also the playground of the gods, the river has played a major role as an assistant to human civilization. Bhagirath also had to invoke the river to save his ancestors. The Ganges is believed to have originated with the power of the same penance. The confluences of the rivers are also of special importance. The fact that the confluence is considered a pilgrimage site also gives the river special glory. Devghat, Triveni Dham, Devprayag, Prayag Adisthan are considered to have special glory.

The glory of the Shali River is mentioned in the Sri Swasthani Vrata Katha. Stories of people who attained prosperity by doing penance on the banks of this river are also found in the Puranas. The proximity of the river is a place that is considered dear not only to the gods but also to humans. Human civilization has developed from the banks of the river. Since the river is beneficial not only for spiritual purposes but also for physical facilities, it may be dear to human civilization. Not all the benefits of the river are mentioned. The banks of the river can also be dangerous during the rainy season. Everyone has its own merits and demerits.

It can be known from the past and present that using the river’s qualities is beneficial to all. Overall, the common man accepts the river as a life-giving object. Rivers also have a special glory because they are the source of indestructible pure elements. Therefore, the basis of every civilization is the river.