ablution

Bathing ghats on the River Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Varanasi is one of Hinduism's seven holy cities, and the Ganges one of the seven holy rivers. The city is visited by millions of pilgrims every year.

Washing for a religious purpose. For example, Hindus wash before praying, preferably in running water, and washing in certain rivers, especially the Ganges, is believed to give spiritual benefit.

Muslims wash themselves (wudu) before prayers, but this is seen as a mark of respect for God and a preparation for prayer rather than conferring any benefit in itself.

Belief in ablution as purification is found in Christianity and Shinto.

In Japanese myth, for example, Izanagi purifies himself by washing in a river after visiting the netherworld. The emphasis in Shinto is on cleansing to remove defilement, not to purify from sin.