Let’s have a look at the mythological Assi or Asi River, which has references in Puranic texts mentioning that Goddess Durga had thrown her sword after slaying the demon Shumbha–Nishumbha. The place where the sword had fallen resulted in a stream of fresh water known as the Asi river. Today, it is no more a god-gifted river but a dirty drain of wastewater and the preferred filth dumping site used by the local populace. It’s stinking waters enter the nearby households whenever Ganga swells during monsoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi, had launched the Swachhata campaign at the Assi Ghat, where this river turned drain meets Ganga at a walking distance. Though the river, which also falls on the route of holy Panchkroshi pilgrimage, has mythological and religious importance, it has fallen prey to the human greed and negligence.
