Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Why the Maharaja of Banaras Drank Only Ganga Water
The Maharaja of Banaras believed the Ganga was sacred.
He saw the river as a mother and goddess.
He also believed his family’s special position came from the river.
Because of this, he drank only water from the Ganga.
At home in Ramnagar, this was part of his daily life.
When he traveled, containers of Ganga water were sent ahead.
His family continued this tradition for many years.
Even the last Maharaja received Ganga water while studying at Mayo College in Ajmer.
The Maharaja of Banaras regarded the Ganga as a mother, goddess and source of spiritual legitimacy.
He drank Ganga water exclusively at his home in Ramnagar.
Sealed containers of Gangajal were sent ahead whenever he traveled away from the ghats.
The practice continued through successive generations of the royal family.
The last Maharaja’s household supplied Ganga water while he attended Mayo College in Ajmer.
- Who
- The Maharaja of Banaras, his family, and later the last Maharaja of the line.
- What
- They maintained a tradition of drinking only water from the Ganga.
- When
- The practice continued across generations; decades later, it was maintained during the last Maharaja’s school years.
- Where
- At Ramnagar, while traveling away from the ghats, and at Mayo College in Ajmer.
- Why
- The family regarded the Ganga as sacred and as the source of its spiritual legitimacy.
- River
- The Ganga
- Royal residence
- Ramnagar
- Water name
- Gangajal
- Travel practice
- Sealed containers of Ganga water were sent ahead during journeys.
- Later generation
- The last Maharaja of the line received Ganga water while at school.
- School
- Mayo College in Ajmer