Effect of Mass Bathing on Water Quality of the Ganga River at Haridwar, Uttarakhand

The Ganga River, revered as one of the holiest rivers in the world, is facing significant degradation due to urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. Despite its sacred status and origin from the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas, it accumulates pollutants from various sources including domestic, industrial, and agricultural. Over-abstraction for irrigation has further reduced its dry weather flow. Mass bathing during religious rituals contributes to pollution load. This study analyses the changes in the water quality of the Ganga after Purnima Mass Bathing in 2013. The focus is on assessing how mass bathing impacts water quality specifically during this event at Haridwar, Uttarakhand.