Upanishad Ganga


Upanishad Ganga is an Indian television series based on the wisdom and stories of the ancient Hindu text, the Upanishad. The 52-episode series was directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, and produced by the Chinmaya Mission. It aired on DD National from 11 March 2012 to 24 March 2013. and was the first-ever TV serial based on the Upanishads and dramatised its central teachings.

Plot

The series is set in modern-day Varanasi, where a Sanskrit scholar and his playwright son stage theatrical renditions of Upanishadic teachings. Each episode features a dramatisation of key figures—such as Valmiki, Dara Shikoh, Ashtavakra, Meera Bai, and Yajnavalkya—tying ancient wisdom to relevant life lessons, to make Upanishadic wisdom accessible to a modern audience.

Episodes

The series comprises 52 episodes. It begins with foundational teachings and gradually unfolds through short dramatizations:

Cast

The series had a large ensemble cast, each playing multiple roles over the course of the series. Abhimanyu Singh played 33 different roles.

Production

The concept was conceived by Swami Tejomayananda, the then head of Chinmaya Mission, and produced at a cost of US $1.6 million, under the direction of Chandraprakash Dwivedi, known for his historical serial Chanakya. The screenplay was written joint by Dwivedi and Farid Khan after four years of research with Chinmaya Mission. The series were shot over a period four years and the production cost crossed over 25 crores, before being aired. At the time, it was one of the most expensive serials on television.

Reception

Express News Asia admin wrote that the series received widespread appreciation from the audience and was acclaimed. Hinduism Today described the as ''highly professional, with excellent writing, staging, acting and cinematography.''

Home video

In 2013, it was released as a Home video DVD series by Shemaroo Entertainment.

Legacy

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was re-aired by the DD Bharati channel of the state-run Doordarshan. In January 2025, Chinmaya Mission and Sanatana Seva Sangham translated and released the series in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and English languages.