How should we store Gaṅgā-jala at home, and how is it used?

keep it in a clean, closed copper, brass or glass vessel near the mandir, and use a few drops for purification and pūjā.

Gaṅgā-jala is treasured in Hindu homes as the water of the sacred river that tradition says descended from Viṣṇu’s feet through Śiva’s locks. Families bring it back from Haridvāra, Prayāga or Kāśī and keep it for years.

Store it in a clean, closed vessel — copper, brass, silver or glass are preferred; many avoid plastic for long storage. Keep it in or near the mandir, away from the kitchen sink or bathroom. To use it, add a few drops to ordinary water: for sprinkling the house after sūtak or before a pūjā, for ācamana, in the bath on special days, or in abhiṣeka. A few drops are traditionally given to someone at the time of death.

If you are running low, the custom is to add your Gaṅgā-jala to clean water rather than wait. Do not drink stored water that looks or smells spoiled; sprinkle it on a plant instead.

Preferred vessels: copper, brass, silver, glass · Source: common family practice

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