Godavri River
Godavri also known as
Dakshina Ganga, is the longest river of
South India. Godavri means the river which has the largest flow of
water. As per the legend – the river was brought down to earth by
Sage Gautama to expiate the sin of Killing a Cow. Lord Shiva was too
happy to give some of his Jata/hair containing water. When the Sage
Gautama sprinkled this water along with the Godavari water on the dead
cow, she came alive, gave blessings to the Sage and disappeared. To this
day Godavari is called as the birth giver of Cows. For the same reason,
it is called as Goda or Godavari. It is believed that the water of
Godavari when drank gives off spring to childless mothers.
Originating from Arabian Sea and ending towards Bay Of Bengal, Godavri
is supposed to be divided into seven small rivers named after seven
sages before it merges into the sea. The Seven Sage are Kasyapa, Atri,
Gautama, Bhaaradwaja, Viswamitra, Jamdagni and Vashishtha. All the
devotees of Godavri take a dip in all these rivers to complete one cycle
of Pilgrime. If any one of the seven rivers are left out, the pilgrim is
supposed to be incomplete.
One of the major Pilgrimage of River Godavri is the Trymbak Village in
Nasik of Maharashtra. Tribmbekashwar, Jyotirlinga, Panchwati,
Rajahmundri, Bhadrachalam, Nanded and Kotapalli are the sacred places
and cities situated on the banks of Godavari.
With a drainage area of 313,000 sq kms in seven states –
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and
Orissa it has Sabari, Indravati, Pranahita and Manijra river s as it
main contributors.
Savour of Ailments : Drinking the water of Godavri river is supposed to
cure major diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, blood pressure. It is
also supposed to be good in treating stomach related ailments like
digestion and gastric problems.
