In India, rivers are much more than just sources of water. Most rivers in India are considered deities, and have stories or myths revolving around them. In fact, each river brings with it a unique myth, legend, or mythological explanation that is fascinating in its own way. Since the time of the Vedas, poets have written about these rivers, till today they've often been used as metaphors in commercial films. Our rivers, above everything, are an inspiration to one and all. Yet, we know very little about them. Read on as we bring you the most exciting stories that revolve around these rivers.
#1 Ganga
Ganga or Ganges rises from the western Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. Hindus regard Ganga as the most sacred river and goddess Ganga is perceived asMokshdayini, the goddess whose waters will free you from your sins. The myth has it that Ganga came on earth to bring salvation to mankind. Apart from religious beliefs, Ganga has been eminent historically too. Many provincial capitals such as Patliputra, Kashi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Calcutta and Kampilya were located on its banks.
#2 Yamuna
The Yamuna, sometimes called Jamuna, originates from Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand. In Hindu mythology, Yamuna is considered the daughter of Sun God, Surya, and sister of Yama, the God of Death. According to popular legends, bathing in its sacred waters frees one from the sufferings of death. There’s another famous folklore about Yamuna. Once Lord Krishna was playing with his friends on the banks of Yamuna. Suddenly he realised that one of his friends drank its water and died. He then found out that Yamuna had become toxic as a huge serpent had moved in to the river. Krishna then fought with the serpent, and asked him to move away from the river. As a result, Yamuna was clean again.
#3 Brahmaputra
The Brahmaputra river originates from the Chemayungdung glacier, located on the side of the Himalayas around Tibet. It enters India at Arunachal Pradesh. Unlike most rivers in India, Brahmaputra has a male name. In mythology, the river is considered the son of Brahma, and hence the name. Legend has it that a sage named Shantanu was living around Kailash, with his beautiful wife Amodha. Lord Brahma got enchanted with her beauty, but refused to his proposal. It is believed that Brahmaputra is Brahma’s son, conceived by Amodha. In fact, even today there is a water source in that area called Brahmkund, from where the river has supposedly originated.
#4 Narmada
River Narmada originates from Amarkantak on the Amarkantak hill in Madhya Pradesh. There are many stories about Narmada. According to a fable, once Lord Shiva sat meditating and started sweating. Lord Shiva’s sweat got collected in a tank which started flowing in the form river Narmada. There is a saying among the locals about all pebble stones of the Narmada turning into Shivlingas.
#5 Chambal
The Chambal river begins from Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of Vindhyan escarpment located in Madhya Pradesh. In ancient days, Chambal river was known as Charmanvati, a river on whose banks leather is dried. Also, according to the Mahabharata, the color of the water became red due to the blood of slaughtered animals whose skins were dried on its banks. That’s the reason it came to be known as ‘Chamda’ (skin) or Charmanvati.
#6 Kaveri
Kaveri rises from the Western Ghats in Karnataka. According to mythology, King Kavera was blessed with a daughter Kaveri who ended up marrying saint Agastya. One day, when the saint went for a bath,and to keep Kaveri safe, he turned her into water and put her in his Kamandala, a utensil used to store holy water. Meanwhile, Lord Ganesha in the form of a crow overturned the utensil. The water came out of it and Kaveri became a river.
#7 Beas River
Beas rises in the Himalayas near Himachal Pradesh. The fascinating fact about this river is that it marked the eastern border of Alexander the Great's territory in 326 BC.
#8 Tapti
Tapti flows from the eastern Satpura range in southern Madhya Pradesh. According to Hindu mythology, Tapi ot Tapti is the daughter of Surya. Another version of the theory says Surya created Tapi to save himself from his own heat.
#9 Godavari
Godavari, the second largest river in India, starts in Maharashtra. It is also called the ‘Dakshin Ganga- Ganges of the south.’ According to a legend, Sage Gautama lived in the Brahmagiri Hills at Trimbakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. He stocked rice at home. However, a cow entered his home and ate all the rice. The sage tried to scare the cow with Durbha grass, but it fell dead. As the cow is considered a holy animal in Hinduism, the sage wished to get rid of the sin of ‘Gohatya’ - killing a sacred cow. He prayed to Lord Shiva and requested him to divert the river Ganges so that he could be purified. Lord Shiva, pleased with the sage, diverted Ganges to flow close to his house. He gave some water from his own utensil too. When his water descended over the dead cow, it came back to life and river Godavri was created. This way sage Gautama was redeemed of all his sins. It is believed that Ganga was brought down to Trimbakeshwar by him. The river is also known as Gautami by the locals.
#10 Chenab
Chenab river forms in the upper Himalayas, near the Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. It is a major river for both India and Pakistan. Chenab is called the river of romance in many folk stories. According to a myth, Sohni was swimming to meet her lover Mahilwal, when she drowned in Chenab. In fact, the locals also believe that the romance between Mirza and Sahiban brewed on the banks of Chenab and Ravi.
