Vol. 5, Issue 6 (2017)
Study of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Bagmati River, Kathmandu, Nepal
Author(s): KR Mehta and SVS Rana
Abstract: The Bagmati River runs through the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and separates Kathmandu from Patan. It is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists. A number of Hindu temples are located on its banks. The importance of Bagmati also lies in the fact that Hindus are cremated on the banks of this holy river, and Kirants are buried in the hills by its side. According to the Nepalese Hindu tradition, the dead body must be dipped three times into the Bagmati River before cremation, so that the reincarnation cycle may be ended. The chief mourner (usually the first son) who lights the funeral pyre must take a holy river-water bath immediately after cremation. Many relatives who join the funeral procession also take a bath in the Bagmati River or sprinkle the holy water on their bodies at the end of cremation. The Bagmati River purifies the people spiritually. River Bagmati is the major River of the Kathmandu valley that passes across the north and south. It originates at Bagdwar just below the Summit of Shivpuri Hill on the northern side of Kathmandu valley and crosses Chobar gorge, on the south of the valley, to flow out of the Kathmandu valley to finally reach terai. Domestic water, solid wastes, industrial effluent from various areas is dumped into the river through different drains. Thus water samples from different sites of river were collected and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters to assess the quality of the river system. The study reveals that as per physico-chemical parameters exceed the permissible limits render the water of the holy river to be unfit for drinking purpose and it is also unhealthy for the aquatic life.
Pages: 2042-2048 | 652 Views 113 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
KR Mehta, SVS Rana. Study of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Bagmati River, Kathmandu, Nepal. Int J Chem Stud 2017;5(6):2042-2048.
