Faith Meets Science to Save Maa Ganga
The Sankat Mochan Foundation — a Varanasi-based NGO committed to clean Ganga ji — has been monitoring, campaigning, and fighting for the river since 1982. Science and faith, walking together.
The Swatcha Ganga Campaign — 42 Years of Vigilance
The Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) is a Varanasi-based registered NGO committed to clean Ganga ji. Founded in 1982, SMF has been monitoring Ganga water quality at Tulsighat with its own laboratory, and has prepared a comprehensive plan to stop the total flow of sewage from Varanasi into Ganga.
The comprehensive plan was made at the request of Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) as an alternative to the Government's Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in Varanasi in 1986 by Hon'ble Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Ji. The plan was unanimously accepted by the House of VNN in 1997.
SMF's two-step solution: first, laying watertight interceptors along the banks of Ganga, Varuna and Assi rivers; then employing the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System (AIWPS), which uses minimal electricity to treat sewage — reducing organic content and fecal coliform bacteria remarkably.
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21 MAY 2024, PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI AND CHIEF MINISTER (UP) SHRI YOGI ADITYANATH VISITED SHRI SANKAT MOCHAN TEMPLE TO OFFER THEIR PRAYERS. THEY HAD A MEETING WITH MAHANT JI PROF. VISHWAMBHAR NATH MISHRA. PROF. MISHRA DISCUSSED IN DETAIL ISSUES RELATED TO POLLUTION OF GANGA AT VARANASI.
A Vision Shared by the Nation
"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister (UP) Shri Yogi Adityanath visited Shri Sankat Mochan Temple to offer their prayers."
They had a meeting with Mahant Ji Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra. Prof. Mishra discussed in detail issues related to pollution of Ganga at Varanasi, bridging the gap between sacred tradition and urgent environmental science.
Our Four Pillars of Action
The Swatcha Ganga Campaign has evolved through four roles — each active, each essential to cleaning the river.
Scientific Monitoring
Continuous water quality testing at Tulsighat Lab since 1982 — measuring BOD, dissolved oxygen, and fecal coliform at 9 ghats. Over 50,000 samples analysed.
AIWPS Technology
Designed the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System with UC Berkeley — a low-cost gravity-fed treatment system achieving 90% BOD reduction and 99.9% fecal coliform elimination.
Policy & Advocacy
Testimony before the Supreme Court, submission of affidavits to NGT, engagement with National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and triggering operational orders against failing STPs.
Public Awareness
Culturally consistent environmental education programmes, Clean Ganga Runs, school outreach, and village water supply initiatives across Varanasi and beyond.
Water Quality Dashboard
BOD (mg/L) · 7 Ghats · Latest Monitoring Cycle · WHO safe limit: 3 mg/L
Biochemical Oxygen Demand — BOD (mg/L)
Ghat
Ghat
shwamedh
karnika
ghat
Conf.
chandra
Source: SMF Tulsighat Laboratory · Data updated periodically · sankatmochanfoundationonline.org
Fecal Coliform Count
41,00,000 MPN/100ml
Safe bathing limit: 500 MPN/100ml
Average BOD at Bathing Ghats
WHO safe limit: 3 mg/L
Ghat Monitoring Status
- Assi GhatMONITORED
- Tulsi GhatACTIVE LAB
- DashashwamedhMONITORED
- ManikarnikaCRITICAL
- RajghatMONITORED
- Varuna Conf.CRITICAL
The Two Banks Must Both Be Firm
"Please consider them an endangered species, these people who still have this faith, this living relationship with the river. If birds can be saved, if plants can be saved, let this species of people be saved by granting them holy water."
"Science and technology are one bank of the river, and religion, tradition, and faith are on the other bank of the river. Both the banks need to be firm, and only then can the river maintain the flow."
"This is not visionary, it is simply essential." — on cleaning River Ganga
Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra
FOUNDER, SANKAT MOCHAN FOUNDATION · GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE 1992
Voice of the River
21
MAY 2024
PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Sankat Mochan Temple
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and CM Shri Yogi Adityanath visited the foundation to offer prayers and discuss Ganga conservation issues with Mahant Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra.
FEB
2024
Water Quality Report highlights critical levels at Varuna Confluence
SMF Laboratory's latest findings indicate high BOD and fecal coliform levels at the Varuna-Ganga confluence, triggering a call for immediate policy intervention.
SEP
2023
41st Annual Foundation Day celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple
The foundation celebrated 41 years of unbroken service with a gathering of spiritual leaders, scientists, and environmental activists at Tulsighat.
Moments of Preservation
Forty years of devotion, fieldwork, and faith — captured in frames from our archive.
Pollution of Ganga
Ganga which is the lifeline of millions of people and great religious significance is being polluted by both domestic sewage and industrial pollutants that are being dumped into the river untreated. This causes health hazard for over 400 million people who directly and indirectly use ...
About us
The comprehensive plan was made at the request of Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) as an alternative to the Govt's Ganga Action Plan (run between 1986-1994) and to satisfy the objectives of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in Varanasi in 1986 by Hon'ble Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Ji.
Our Vision & Mission
Society committed to clean Ganga ji. Comprising of active and committed members of the society, university professors, practicing religious people, poets, student representatives and friends of Ganga ji all over the world SMF is well respected for its work to clean Ganga ji at Varanasi.
Fuel the Movement
Your contributions directly fund our water testing laboratories and community cleanup operations. 100% transparency guaranteed.
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Monthly Reports
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Visit the Foundation
Sankat Mochan Foundation
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Sankat Mochan Mandir, Saket Nagar Colony, Varanasi — 221005
Get In Touch
We respond to every message personally.
A Legacy of Vigilance
Since 1982, the Foundation has stood as the unwavering voice of River Ganga, bridging the gap between spiritual devotion and scientific reality.
The NGO committed to
Clean Ganga Ji
The first phase of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) for Varanasi was commissioned in the year 1993. GAP-I was not able to completely stop the flow of sewage into Ganga ji at Varanasi. SMF was monitoring Ganga water quality along its religious bathing area with the support of its water quality monitoring laboratory established on the bank of Ganga ji at Tulsighat.
"SMF observed that drains were discharging sewage into Ganga ji. The collection, conveyance and treatment works of sewage were not working satisfactorily. Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi was badly affected."
The comprehensive plan to clean Ganga at Varanasi was made on the request of VNN as an alternative to the Govt’s Ganga Action Plan and to satisfy the objectives of GAP launched in 1986 by Hon’ble Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi ji. The comprehensive plan was submitted to VNN in 1997 and was unanimously accepted by the House of VNN.
Archives ◆ Tulsighat Laboratory
42+
Years of Service
In 2007 Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh ji chaired a meeting in PMO where holistic plan for conserving and cleaning all rivers of India was presented by the NRCD. SMF’s presentation was received favorably and consensus emerged to prioritize works to clean Ganga in Varanasi and use innovative plans like the comprehensive plan of SMF.
On 30th June 2008 NRCD asked SMF (i) to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) and build 37 mld AIWPS STP at Ramana and (ii) prepare DPR of the interceptor of about 100 mld sewage handling capacity for Varanasi Ghats on Ganga and adjoining areas. SMF along with its associate GO2 Water, Inc. have been entrusted with the job. Time is running out without commencement of any concrete work in Varanasi to clean Ganga. In 2011 the World Bank loaned the GoI one billion USD to clean the Ganga. The SMF’s comprehensive plan has not been considered.
Today, SMF is currently engaged in regular monitoring of Ganga water quality in the religious bathing area of Varanasi to monitor the efficacy of Govt’s plan to clean Ganga, awareness building among masses specifically young citizen by organising culturally consistent environmental education programme.
The Sustaining Force
Meet the dedicated members who govern the Foundation and ensure its mission continues with integrity and vision.
Board of Registry
A council of dedicated professionals, scientists, and spiritual leaders committed to the foundation's lifelong mission.
Shri Vishwambhar Nath Mishra
Mahant, Sankat Mochan Temple / Teaching
Tulsi Mandir, Tulsighat, Varanasi
Shri Jainendra Sahai Sinha
Legal Profession
Gulmohar Park, New Delhi
Shri Umesh Chandra Tiwari
Legal Profession
Advocate, Deoria
Shri Siddh Nath Upadhyay
Teaching
Gandhi Nagar, Naria, Varanasi
Ms. Marilyn Montgomery
Medical
San Francisco, CA, USA
Prof. V. S. Chauhan
Member
Gitanjali Enclave, New Delhi
Dr. Vijaya Nath Mishra
Member
Tulsi Ghat, Bhadaini, Varanasi
Shri Anil Kumar Shrivastava
Member
Kamala Nagar, Allahabad
Shri Arvind Kapil Deo Mishra
Member
Chinchpokali, Parel, Mumbai
"United by a common vow to preserve the sanctity of Maa Ganga."
Decades of Devotion
A timeline of our scientific breakthroughs, legal victories, and cultural impact since 1982.
Foundation Established
Born from the spiritual refusal to look away, the Foundation was established by Mahant Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra ji to bridge science and faith.
Tulsighat Lab Commissioned
Creation of India's longest unbroken citizen-led record of river water quality monitoring.
AIWPS Masterplan Accepted
The Varanasi Nagar Nigam unanimously accepted SMF's comprehensive plan for sustainable sewage management.
Prime Minister's PMO Meeting
Consensus emerged to prioritize works to clean Ganga in Varanasi using SMF's innovative technical plans.
The Vigil Continues
Weekly monitoring and mass awareness programs across India to ensure the Ganga returns to its pristine glory.
The Purity of Purpose
Our guiding philosophy: where physical cleanliness meets spiritual sanctity.
Physical Purity,
Spiritual Purity
To restore the Ganga to a state where its physical water quality matches its eternal spiritual purity, ensuring that "Maa Ganga" remains a source of life and liberation.
Science in
Service of Faith
To implement sustainable, low-cost, and gravity-fed sewage treatment technologies like AIWPS, and to serve as an independent watchdog monitoring the health of the river.
Pollution in Ganga
Understanding the crisis and the failure of past interventions.
The Lifeline in Peril
Ganga, the lifeline of millions and a river of supreme religious significance, is being polluted by both domestic sewage and industrial pollutants. These are being dumped into the river untreated, creating a severe health hazard for over 400 million people who depend on its waters.
"In Varanasi, the rivers Varuna and Assi have been polluted beyond recognition. They no longer flow as rivers but as torrents of sewage mixing at the city's boundaries."
Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Failures
Despite the launch of the Ganga Action Plan in 1986, the situation at the ground level has remained critical. The infrastructure provided under GAP has often failed to handle the actual volume of sewage, or has been plagued by technical and administrative inefficiencies.
warning Point Sources
Detailed mapping of every open drain (nala) discharging directly into the bathing ghats of Varanasi.
analytics Scientific Proof
Weekly laboratory monitoring for over three decades providing incontrovertible evidence of pollution levels.
Point sources of pollution discharging into the river.
GPS Mapping Data
Our foundation has meticulously mapped every point source of pollution using GPS technology.
VIEW LIVE GPS MAP open_in_newThe Crusade
A timeline of legal, technical, and social advocacy since 1982.
Institutional Evolution
The journey of cleaning the Ganga has seen many institutional shifts. The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) was constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests in the early 90s, evolving from the historical Ganga Project Directorate (GPD).
Foundation Formed
Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra founded SMF to bring a scientific voice to the spiritual mission of cleaning Ganga.
GPD & CGA Created
The Government of India under PM Rajiv Gandhi created the Ganga Project Directorate to run the first Ganga Action Plan (GAP).
The Foundation has since been the primary watchdog, pointing out the design flaws in GAP and advocating for the AIWPS (Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System) as a sustainable alternative.
Key Authorities
- ◆ NRCA: Headed by the Prime Minister of India.
- ◆ NRCD: Implementation arm for the National River Action Plan.
- ◆ SMF: Independent monitor and technical advocate.
Global Partnerships
Organizations that have supported the Swatcha Ganga Campaign since 1982.
International Support
The campaign has received technical and financial support from various international agencies, particularly from the USA and Europe, recognizing the global importance of the Ganga.
National Agencies
Regular engagement with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD).
Academic Partners
Collaborations with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and other technical institutions for independent research and water quality assessment.
A Legacy of Collaboration
Since 1982, the Swatcha Ganga Campaign has been a bridge between spiritual Varanasi and the global scientific community. We continue to welcome partnerships that align with our mission to restore the sanctity and purity of Ganga ji.
Scientific Monitoring
Empirical evidence from the Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory.
Lab Methodology
Monitoring is conducted weekly at key locations along the Varanasi ghats. We measure parameters critical to human health and ecological balance.
Latest Analysis: 19.06.2017
Location: Varanasi Ghats| Parameters | Tulsighat | Dashashwamedh | Rajghat |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOD (mg/l) | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.2 |
| DO (mg/l) | 6.4 | 6.0 | 4.8 |
| FCC (/100ml) | 89,000 | 82,000 | 48,000 |
38 Years of Data
Consistent weekly monitoring since 1982, forming the longest independent water quality archive in India.
Legal Admissibility
Our laboratory data is ISO-certified and has been accepted by the Supreme Court of India in landmark cases.
Moments of Service
A visual record of our work on the ghats and in the laboratory.
In WordPress admin: add categories under Gallery Items → Categories, then assign each photo to a category.
The River in Motion
Documentaries and recordings of our campaigns and cultural events.
Foundation Mission & Ganga Struggle
A documentary overview of our decades-long struggle to clean and preserve Maa Ganga.
Evening Ganga Aarti at Tulsi Ghat
Experience the daily spiritual ritual performed at our foundation headquarters.
Run for Clean Ganga Initiative
Highlights from our community engagement events to raise awareness for the river.
Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh
Classical music highlights from our world-famous annual festival at the temple.
Visit our official YouTube Channel for more video updates.
Foundation Updates
Stay informed about our latest research, events, and fieldwork.
Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey
Floods in Varanasi
Australian Journalists
Art of Living had a meeting
Get in touch
Whether you wish to volunteer, partner, or donate — we'd love to hear from you.
Saffron threads,
steady hands
The Foundation works out of its historic home at the Sankat Mochan Mandir compound in Varanasi. Our doors are always open to those who share our vision for a clean Ganga.
Sankat Mochan Mandir, Saket Nagar Colony, Varanasi, UP — 221005
+91 542 231 5050
info@sankatmochanfoundation.org
Send a message
We typically respond within 24-48 hours.
Join the Movement
Lend your skills and time to help restore the purity of Maa Ganga. Together, we can make a difference.
Be part of a 40-year legacy of conservation.
Scientific Support
Assist our laboratory team in weekly water quality monitoring and data collection.
Community Outreach
Help organize awareness rallies, ghat cleanups, and educational workshops in Varanasi.
Digital Advocacy
Contribute your media skills to share our research and mission with a global audience.
"Every small effort counts toward the eternal goal of a cleaner Ganga."
Volunteer Application
Please fill out the form below and our team will get in touch.
Support the Mission
Every contribution becomes a child taught, a sample collected, and a river protected.
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Registered Section 8 non-profit. All donations are 100% tax-exempt under Section 80G.