Why do we pray to the rivers and toss coins in them?

The Ganga river, or Ganges as she is called in the West, is one of the most holy rivers in India. She is called ‘Maa Ganga’, and put on the pedestal of a mother, the one who nourishes all beings. Maa Ganga is holy not just because she is a river who sustained many, many communities in the past, but also because she flows straight from the locks of Lord Shiva and comes to Earth from heaven, the abode of Shiva.
Also, the ancient legend of how King Bhagirath asked Ganga to come to Earth to purify the ashes of his ancestors becomes a reason for her holy status.

And while praying to the river goddess, and treating them with respect is a common, long-followed ritual, another one that comes to mind is tossing coins into the river. And this is common not just for India, but also in other countries where people toss coins into rivers, fountains, and water bodies.
For many people, this practice is purely superstitious and is looked down upon with disdain. But, the act of tossing coins into the river is both scientific and spiritual in nature. How? Read to know!

One of the most logical and scientific reasons as to why people used to throw coins into the rivers and why it is still done is because earlier we had copper coins. And copper is a purifying agent that can help clean water.
You must have seen that companies endorse their water purifiers by saying it has ‘copper’, and so when they tossed copper coins into the river, they purified the water. And when this water was used for drinking, bathing, or other everyday activities, it did not harm them or result in any infections or diseases. And so, this became one of the most important reasons to toss coins into a river.

Building on the last point, tossing coins into the river did not just make it fit for bathing and household work, but also for drinking.

When copper coins were tossed into the river, Copper’s antimicrobial properties helped clear it from any impurities, made it fit for drinking, and was fresh for a longer time. And as drinking water is an important life force, the coin toss soon became an important part of moving and settling around rivers.

Today, apart from the scientific reason for copper coins purifying the river, the belief is that when you toss a coin, or coins, into the river, it is like an offering to Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. By offering a coin to the river, people believe they are inviting the goddess to bless them with prosperity and good fortune.

And in recent times, apart from religious reasons or purification reasons, tossing a coin into the river is also seen as a way to attract good luck. In Western culture, tossing a coin into a fountain is believed to grant wishes and bring good fortune. And in India, the belief that offering something valuable (like a coin) to a river or goddess is said to help in receiving their blessings, their help, and lead a life of wealth, abundance, and prosperity.