Millions of Hindus gather at the Ganges river to attempt to get forgiveness of sins. They have formed the world’s largest religious gathering of 20 million! In fact, it has made the Guinness Book of World Records! [See video below.] In a nutshell, the Hindu forgiveness of sins in the Ganges River myth goes like this:
The 43-day festival takes its name of Kumbh Mela from Hindu mythology when the gods seized a pot of nectar that made them invincible in their war against the demons. One of the gods made off with the pot, spilling drops on 12 spots, four of them in India and the rest in the heavens.
One drop is said to have fallen where the Ganges joins the Yamuna River and the mythical Saraswati River. Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence of three sacred rivers on an auspicious day will absolve them of sin and speed them to nirvana after death. “Most of the people think that the sins we have created are washed away here,” said Mohan Sharma, as she stood in the cold water, fully clothed in a bright sari. ( http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=81725&page=1#.UNJRN6yWQYs )
Finding true forgiveness of sins is vital, but how is that done? While it is true we can get our sins washed away, it is only possible by the precious blood of Jesus:
I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev 7:14)
The unrighteous will not enter God’s kingdom UNLESS they get spiritually washed, sanctified and justified in reality, which has nothing to do with washing in the Ganges River for forgiveness of sins:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NASB)
To get properly washed from your sins you must turn from your sins (repent) and place a faith in the Lord Jesus which will obey and serve God. Sin is the issue and Hindus know it, but their religious beliefs to get forgiveness of sins are not based on spiritual reality. Like many others, the Hindus need Bible truth. [Likewise, Catholics need to know a Catholic priest can NOT forgive sin.]
God’s truth, as only found in the Bible, is vital. The absence of God’s truth leads to worthless religious rituals such as futilely bathing in the Ganges River to wash away sins and a belief in reincarnation. Stick to the Biblical message and you can’t go wrong. Depart from the Bible and you will surely be deceived.
