Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Ganga (Sanskrit: गङ्गा, IAST: Gaṅgā) is the personification of the river Ganges, who is worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of purification and forgiveness. Known by many names, Ganga is often depicted as a fair, beautiful woman, riding a divine crocodile-like creature called the makara .
Makara as the Vahana (vehicle) of the goddess Ganga. Makara (Sanskrit: मकर, romanized: Makara) is a legendary sea-creature in Hindu mythology. [1] In Hindu astrology, Makara is equivalent to the Zodiac sign Capricorn. Makara appears as the vahana (vehicle) of the river goddess Ganga, Narmada, and of the god of the ocean, Varuna. [2]
The Ganga is also the mother, the Ganga Mata (mata="mother") of Hindu worship and culture, accepting all and forgiving all. [80] Unlike other goddesses, she has no destructive or fearsome aspect, destructive though she might be as a river in nature. [80] She is also a mother to other gods. [84]
In some legends, the goddess Ganga is daughter of Himavan (the personification of the Himalayas) and Menavati (an apsara). She is the sister of the mother goddess, Parvati. She is the goddess of purity and purification, as people believe that bathing in the Ganges removes sins and helps in gaining moksha. Her mount is a creature called the makara.
Bhagiratha (Sanskrit: भगीरथ, IAST: Bhagīratha) is a legendary king of the Ikshvaku dynasty in Hindu literature.He is best known for his legend of bringing the sacred river Ganges, personified as the Hindu river goddess Ganga, from heaven upon the earth, by performing a penance.
In the creation mythology of the world, it represents a change from Antaboga. He along with two dragons support the human world. If he moves, there will be earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on earth. Varunadeva. Makara appears as the vahana (vehicle) of the river goddess Ganga, Narmada and of the sea god Varuna.
It is also the origin of the Ganges river and, per Hinduism, the seat of the goddess Ganga. The source of the Ganges river is the Bhagirathi River, originating from the Gangotri Glacier. [1] Once the river confluences with the Alakananda River at a town called Devprayag it finally acquires the name Ganga. [2]
Jahnu's curse on the goddess Ganga is described in the Brahma Purana: [4] The valorous Jahnu was born of Keśinī and Ajamīḍha. He performed a sacrifice of long duration called Sarva Medhāmakha. Eager to have him as her husband Gaṅgā approached him like a humble lady. As he declined the proposal Gaṅgā flooded his sacrificial hall.