Basin Guardians

I am making this article for the purpose of recording the names of the deities of the drainage basins Nymphs is what I might call them. Potamoi is too impersonal

Worship

 * 1) River Deities: Many rivers are personified as goddesses, who are believed to possess divine powers and provide blessings, purification, and sustenance to devotees. The Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, and Kaveri are among the most prominent river goddesses in Hinduism. Temples dedicated to these goddesses can be found along the banks of these rivers.
 * 2) Ritual Baths: Hindus believe that taking a dip or bathing in sacred rivers can purify them of sins and karmic debts, as well as bestow blessings and spiritual benefits. Pilgrimages to holy rivers, especially during auspicious occasions or religious festivals, are considered an essential part of Hindu religious practice.
 * 3) Aarti: Aarti is a Hindu ritual performed to honor and worship deities, including river goddesses. It involves offering light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor to the deity while singing hymns or prayers. Aarti ceremonies are often performed on the banks of sacred rivers, particularly during festivals or special occasions, as a form of worship and gratitude towards the river goddesses.
 * 4) Offerings and Prayers: Devotees make various offerings to the river goddesses, such as flowers, incense, or lamps made of leaves and oil. They also recite prayers, mantras, and hymns dedicated to the river goddesses, asking for blessings, purification, and protection.
 * 5) Immersion of Idols: During certain Hindu festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja, idols of deities are immersed in sacred rivers as a part of the celebrations. This symbolizes the return of the deity to their divine abode, and the river is believed to carry the idol's energy and blessings with it.
 * 6) Ancestor Worship: Rivers play an essential role in the Hindu ritual of honoring ancestors, known as "Shraadh" or "Pitru Paksha." Devotees perform rituals and offer prayers on the banks of sacred rivers to seek blessings and spiritual benefits for their deceased ancestors.


 * 1) River Deities: Chinese mythology and folk religion often associate rivers with deities or spirits, who are believed to have control over the waters and provide protection and blessings to the people. These deities may be dragon kings, who govern different bodies of water, or local deities specific to particular rivers.
 * 2) Dragon Boat Festival: The Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) is a traditional Chinese festival that takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It involves racing dragon boats, which are long and narrow boats decorated with dragon heads and tails. The races are held on rivers and are believed to honor the river deities, ensure a prosperous year, and prevent natural disasters such as floods.
 * 3) Offerings and Rituals: People living near rivers in China may perform various rituals and make offerings to river deities to ask for blessings, protection, and prosperity. These offerings can include food, incense, paper money, and other symbolic items. Rituals may involve prayers, music, and dances performed on the riverbanks or special platforms.
 * 4) Temples and Shrines: Temples or shrines dedicated to river deities can be found along the banks of many rivers in China. These sacred spaces provide a place for people to worship the river deities, make offerings, and seek their blessings.
 * 5) Ancestor Worship: Rivers also play a role in ancestor worship in Chinese culture. People may perform rituals and make offerings to their deceased ancestors near rivers, believing that the water can carry their prayers and offerings to the spiritual realm.
 * 6) Art and Literature: Rivers are often depicted in Chinese art and literature as symbols of life, beauty, and the passage of time. They serve as important cultural and spiritual motifs, reflecting the connection between the natural world and human existence.


 * 1) River Kami: In Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, Kami are the spirits or divine forces that inhabit the natural world. Rivers can be associated with Kami, who are believed to provide blessings, purification, and protection. These Kami may be unique to specific rivers or be more general water deities.
 * 2) Purification Rituals: Water, including water from rivers, is considered purifying in Shinto beliefs. Shinto shrines often have a water basin called a "temizuya" or "chozuya," where worshippers can perform purification rituals before entering the shrine. Water from nearby rivers may be used for this purpose.
 * 3) Shrines and Sacred Spaces: In some cases, shrines may be dedicated to river Kami, and these shrines can be found near the banks of the rivers they are associated with. These sacred spaces provide a place for people to worship the river Kami, make offerings, and seek their blessings.
 * 4) Festivals and Celebrations: Various local festivals and celebrations may involve rivers as central elements. These events can include processions, dances, and other activities that honor the river Kami and celebrate the connection between the community and the river.
 * 5) Art and Literature: Rivers feature prominently in Japanese art, literature, and poetry as symbols of beauty, transience, and the passage of time. They often serve as important cultural and spiritual motifs, reflecting the deep connection between Japanese people and the natural world.