The story of the descent of the Ganga (Ganges)

In ancient times, the mighty king Sagara of the Ikshvaku dynasty performed a great horse sacrifice (Ashwamedha) to proclaim his supremacy. When the sacrificial horse disappeared, Sagara sent his 60,000 sons to find it. They discovered it near the ashram of the sage Kapila, where it was standing peacefully. Mistaking the sage for a thief, the princes insulted him. Enraged, Kapila unleashed his divine power and reduced all 60,000 princes to ashes.

Years later, Sagara's descendant Bhagiratha vowed to free the souls of his ancestors. A sage revealed that their ashes could only be purified by the waters of the celestial river Ganga, which flowed in the sky. Determined, Bhagiratha spent centuries performing austere penances and praying to Lord Brahma. Pleased, Brahma agreed to send the Ganga to earth - but warned that its mighty flow would destroy the world if left unchecked.

Bhagiratha then meditated for another lifetime to appease Lord Shiva, the only one powerful enough to tame Ganga's might. Shiva agreed to catch the raging river in his matted hair. When Ganga arrogantly plunged from the sky, Shiva caught it in his tangled locks and let it trickle gently to earth. Led by Bhagiratha, the river followed his chariot to the ashes of his ancestors, purifying their souls and bringing them salvation.

As the Ganga flowed, it divided into seven streams:

• Three flowed east.
• Three flowed west.
• The seventh followed Bhagiratha and became the holy Ganges.

This divine descent (called Ganga Avataran) explains why Hindus revere the Ganges as "Mother Ganga" - a living goddess whose waters wash away sins and lead souls to liberation. To this day, millions bathe in her waters during festivals such as the Kumbh Mela, believing that her touch purifies body and spirit.