RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, AND TREES are venerated in India as the earthly forms of gods & goddess. Ganga (the Ganga River which originates in the Himalayas,flows the northern plains, & merges with the ocean at the Bay of Bengal) is one of the most loved & worshiped goddesses of the natural pantheon of Hinduism. Translated & adapted by Harish Johari from three ancient Hindu texts, The Birth of the Ganga tells the mythological story of the origins of the river Ganga & its powerful purifying properties. According to the ancient scriptures, Ganga was a goddess residing in Heaven who came down to Earth in the form of a river to provide salvation to the seven generations of ancestors of King Bhagirath. Not only did Ganga come to save King Bhagirath’s ancestors, but she also was sent to Earth as a means of purification for the entire population of human beings. Pilgrims travel from all over the subcontinent to bathe in her water as an act of worship & in the hopes of obtaining her blessings & realizing salvation. The Birth of the Ganga will delight readers young & old alike for its wonderful story of good deeds leading to a just ending & its exquisite illustrations that bring to life many of the Indian saints & gods whose names abound in Hindu scripture & history. The forty-six hand-painted steps, a process of color fixing & washing that is explained in detail at the conclusion of the book. Unlike the figures in contemporary Indian artwork, the figures in this book are inspired by the high classical style of paintings found in the Ajanta caves & ancient sncient sculptures in the Elephanta caves near Bombay & at the temple of Khajoraho. Through the color wash technique & style of figures represented Johari has restored this classical art form in accordance with the Hindu canon.