GODAVARI - The Holy River Goutami Ganga
GODAVARI THE HOLY RIVER– GOUTAMI GANGA
Who is Godavari? What is its origin? What are
its other names?
Godavari
the holy river is none other than Vishnu Paadodbhavi the divine Ganga that was
held by Lord Shiva on his head (matted hair locks). A portion of it was
released by Lord Shiva due to the vigorous penance/efforts made by Sage Goutama
to get rid of his Go-Hatya dosha.
Goda
+ Vari = Godavari; Goda means the one that has given life to the Cow and Vari
means water; Godavari means the one that has given life (Praana) to the Cow
(Go) from the divine water that was released (Shivadatta) by Lord Shiva.
When
it was released by Lord Shiva it (Godavari) first manifested at a place called
Brahmagiri on Sahyadri Parvatha (Western Ghats) and from there it started
flowing downward through the mouth of a Cow (Gomukha);
Like
Ganga became Bhaagirathi due to the efforts of King Bhagirtha, it also became
Goutami since it was originated due to the efforts of Sage Goutama. Godavari is
also known as GoutamiGanga.
Godavari
is also known as DhavalaGanga. Dhavala means white, beautiful, dazzling white
etc. Dhavala also means white Cow. Since Ganga (Godavari) flows through the
mouth of a Cow (Gomukha) it is also known as Dhavalaganga;
Since
it is flowing in the South it is also known as Dakshina Ganga (Deccan Ganges)
What is the path of Godavari? Where does it flow? Which
are the tributaries of Godavari? Where does it merge with the Sea?
After taking birth at Brahmagiri in Sahyaadri mountain
ranges of Western Ghats, Godavari flows down through the mouth of Cow (Gomukha)
reaches Nasik (Trayamakeshwar).
After flowing in six districts of Maharashtra state
Godavari enters Telangana State at a place called Kandukurthi in Nizamabad
district.
After flowing in five districts of Telangana (Adilabad,
Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam) Godavari enters Andhra Pradesh where
it flows in the districts of East & West Godavari;
Before merging with the sea (Bay of Bengal), Godavari
(Akhanda Godavari) splits into two major streams called Goutami and Vasishta
Godavari at a place called Dhavaleswaram (Dhavalagiri) near Rajahmundry.
Vasishta Godavari merges with the sea at a place
called Antharvedi (near Narsapuram) and the other at Yaanaam in Pondicherry.
Though Yaanaam is politically in the union territory of Pondicherry, it is
nearer to Andhra Pradesh.
It is
said that Saptha Rishis divided Godavari river into seven branches and merged
them in the sea individually at different places in Godavari Basin which are
popularly called as Saptha Godavari.
The river Godavari thus travels a total distance of
1465 km from its origin (though the sea is at a distance of only 80 km) mainly
in the states of Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Including its tributaries Godavari Basin covers six
states (Maharashta, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh,
Odisha and Pondicheery) and one Union Territtory.
Godavari the perennial river is the second largest
river in India after Ganges (Ganga) covering nearly 10% of the geographical
area of the country.
Tributaries
of Godavari…
Manjeera, Pranahita, Indravati, Sabari, Bindusara,
Wardha, Pravara, Poorna, Maneru, Kinnerasani, Seeleru
Pilgrimage on the Banks of Holy River Godavari
There are several sacred places of Pilgrimage on the
Banks of the Holy river Godavari which are worth seeing. Apart from the place
of origin viz. Brahmagiri, some of the most important are….
TRYAMBAKESHWAR
(Nasik)
Right at the foot of its birth place lays the famous
Shiva Kshethra, Tryambakeshwar where Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a
Jyothirlinga. It is a rare Shiva Linga which is unlike other is in small pit
with three openings symbolizing the three eyes of Lord Shiva. It is the first
place of sojourn for Godavari which constantly pours on the top of the
Jyothirlinga of Abhishekapriya Lord Shiva.
NASIK
Panchavati Kshethra… It is strongly believed that Lord
Sri Rama had spent part of his Vanavaasa (sojourn) at this place on the banks
of river Godavari. This is also believed to be the place where Lakshmana
chopped off the nose/ears of Soorpanakha (sister of Raavanaasura) and the place
has derived its name Nasik from this episode. This is also the place where
Kumbha Mela is held once in twelve years.
BASARA (Basar)
In our country we find very few temples of Goddess
Saraswathi which are of very ancient origin. Out of two such famous temples
dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi one which can be easily accessed is at Basar in
Adilabad district of Telangana State.
Situated on the Banks of the holy river Godavari,
Goddess at Basar is known as Gnaana Saraswathi the one who bestows knowledge.
It is the only ancient temple in the entire South India that is dedicated to
the Goddess of Learning Sri Saraswathi said to have been installed by Lord
& Sage Sri Vedavyasa. Rarity of this temple is that it is a Saikatha
Vigraha (Sand made)
According to Sthala Purana it is said that Sri
Vedavyasaru during his sojourn at this place in Dandakaranya on the banks of
holy Godavari bought three handful of sand from the river bed of Godavari which
miraculously transformed into Shakthi Trio forming three idols (saikatha) of
Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Durga (Kali).
Though all the three Goddesses are present here; the
place has become popular as Saraswathi Kshethra (Gnaana Saraswathi) which is
famous for Aksharabhyasa formal induction of a child into education. Though the
temple is located in Adilabad District, it is nearer to Nizamabad town in Northern
Telangana region.
DHARMAPURI
Situated in Karimanagar district of Telangana State,
it is a Naarasimha Kshethra dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Naarasimha where the Lord
manifested (Swayambhu) as a Salagrama Shila. There is a temple for
Yamadharmaraja the Lord of Death which is unique at Dharmapuri. Here Godavari
flows as Dakshinavaahini.
KAALESWARAM
It is a famous Shiva Kshethra dedicated to Lord Shiva
where Godavari meets its tributary Pranahita. It is located in Karimnagar
district of Telangana State. It is a rare place where two Shiva Lingas are on a
single pedestal (panivattam). They are Mukteeswara and Kaaleswara. It is known
as Trilinga Kshethra; other two being Draaksharaamama in East Godavari District
and Srisailam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
BHADRACHALAM
Dedicated to Lord Sri Rama and known as Dakshina
Ayodhya this famous temple of Lord Sri Rama (Vaikunta Raama Kshethra) is
situated on the banks of holy river Godavari.
Rarity of this temple is that the Lord Vishnu in his
hurry to fulfill the promise given to his devotee came to give darshan carrying
his disc Sudarshana Chakra and his Kounch in apasavya position. Generally we
find Lord Vishnu holding Sudarshana Chakra in the right hand and his Kounch in
the left hand. But here He is seen holding them in a reverse way.
Another rarity of this temple is, usually Lord Sri
Rama is depicted with only two hands like any other human being with bow and
arrow. But here He is seen with Chaturbhuja (four hands) holding disc and
kounch in his upper arms; bow and arrow in his lower arms with his lower right
hand in abhaya mudra. That is why he is known here as Vaikunta Rama or Rama
Narayana where the Lord Sri Rama is in his original form ie. Lord Vishnu.
Named after Bhadra (son of Meru Parvata) Bhadrachalam
is also the place where Lord Sri Rama is believed to have lived along with
Goddess Sita Devi during His sojourn in Dandakaranya on the banks of the holy
river Godavari.
ANTHARVEDI
Located in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh
Antharvedi is a Sangama Kshethra (place of confluence) where a portion of
Godavari (Vasishta Godavari) merges with the Sea.
It is a famous Naarasimha Kshethra where Lord Sri
Lakshmi Narasimha manifested as Swayabhu and is west facing on the banks of
Godavari.
This place is believed to have been visited by Lord
Sri Rama along with his brother Lakshmana and by Arjuna in Dwapara Yuga. Lord
Brahma is believed to have performed Yajna at this place. It is also a Shiva
Kshethra where the Shiva Linga is believed to have been installed by Lord
Brahma.
As this place was Vedi (stage) for performing Yajna
which was in between the Vasishta River it was known as Antharvedi. It is the
last, the most important and sacred point of river Godavari.
Apart from the above there are several other sacred
places on the banks of holy river Godavari like… Draakshaaraamam,
Dhavaleswaram, Mandapalli etc. in Andhra Pradesh.
above list is only indicative but not exhaustive…
What is Godavari Pushkara? How to reckon it?
What are its merits & significance?
What are its merits & significance?
Pushkara is a river based festival celebrated based on
the transit of Jupiter (Brihaspathi) in the zodiac. Accordingly when Jupiter
(Brihaspathi) transits in Simha Raasi (Leo sign) it marks the Pushkara of the
holy river Godavari.
That also marks the Kumbha Mela at Nasik when both Sun
& Jupiter are in Leo sign. It occurs once in 12 years. Incidentally this
year it is Pushkara festival of Godavari and also Kumbha Mela at Nasik the
birth place of Godavari.
Nasik (Tryambakeshwar) is one of the four holy places
(spots) where a few drops of 'Amrutha" (Divine Nectar) spilled while it
was carried by Lord Vishnu in the episode of Ksheera Sagara Madhanam. The other
three are Haridwar, Prayaaga (Allahabad); and Ujjain. These are the four places
where Kumbha Mela is held.
Pushkara schedule for a particular river will be for
one year; however, the first twelve days known as Aadi Pushkara and the last
twelve days known as Anthya Pushkara are held to be highly sacred.
Merits & Significance of Godavari Pushkara
During Pushkara of the specified river all Brahmaadi
Devathas, all Sages, all Pithru Devathas, all Theerthas in Bhoomandala
including Ganga (Ganges) enters that particular river along with Brihaspathi
and Pushkara.
This timing of their entry is considered as highly
sacred and celestial that has the power to diminish even the ghastly and
dreadful sins committed.
Having darshan, taking bath, touching Pushkara waters,
drinking the sacred waters of Pushkara is considered to be highly meritorious
and soul cleansing.
GO + Da + Vari; Go means Cow; Da means granting,
giving; Vari means water (life force/praana). Godavari is the one that has made
praana daana to the Cow.
In a spiritual sense Godavari indicates the
geographical element and the direction while performing vedic rituals that we
generally come across in Sankalpa sloka … “Godavari Dakshina theere” that
means... I am performing this ritual by sitting to the south of the holy river
Godavari.
It is said that, merits of performing Penance on the
banks of river Narmada (Reva), death on the banks of Ganga, charity at
Kurukshethra all the three put together one will get by taking bath in the holy
river Godavari.
It is the sacred river (Godavari) that has washed the
feet of Lord Sri Rama and got sanctified during His Vanavaasa at Tryambakeshwar
(Nasik)/ Bhadrachalam and by Lord & Sage Sri Vedavyaasa at Basar.
Taking bath in Godavari during Pushkara when Jupiter
is in Leo sign (Simhastha Guru) will fetch merits equivalent to 60000 years of
Ganga Snaana Phala.
Pushkara is considered as the most sacred time to
perform sacred rites to forefathers on the banks of the specified River and if
it is Godavari the merits will be bountiful.
Godavari is called as Apara Ganga; by taking bath or
even sprinkling (prokshana) the sacred water of Godavari one will get Go-Daana
phala (in multiple numbers) and Aswamedhayaaga Phala.
Taking bath in Godavari river on the day of Pushyaarka
(Sunday coinciding with Pushyami Star); on the day of Vyatheepaatha Yoga will
fetch merits of Uurdhvagati to one’s ancestors.
In simple, holy Godavari is ever auspicious, sacred,
celestial and meritorious and when it is associated with Pushkara the merits
are plenteous.
Saint Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu has eulogized the
glory and merits of Godavari in his masterpiece Theertha Prabandha.
Let us pray Godavari Maatha to bestow upon Gnaana
(Vishnu Gnaana) – Bhakti (Hari Bhakti) – Vairaagya (detachment from
materialistic) on the devotees who take a dip in Godavari.
River worship in India is prevalent since time immemorial and
rivers in India are adored on several occasions in the Hindu religious and
spiritual calendar like Kumbh Mela, Pushkaram etc.
Rivers are an integral part of Indian economy, civilization and
culture that has grown and spread along the banks of these rivers and they have
become a livelihood for the people living in the country. They have also
played a significant role in the religious, philosophical and spiritual
heritage of India which is known as Hindu religion or Hindu Dharma.
These rivers are Nature’s gift to the mankind as water is one of
the most essential elements for all the living beings. These rivers are
standing as a living witness to the historical and pouranic happenings in India
where several dynasties have risen and fallen along the banks of these sacred
rivers. Since time immemorial Hindu civilization has flourished along the
banks of these rivers. Bharatha Desa is a land of perennial rivers and is the
origin for several sacred rivers that have taken birth on this land with a
divine background and purpose.
Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu
'nAham kartA hariH kartA'
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