गोदावरी Godavari
Ganga of the South - The Longest River of Peninsular India
Geographical Details
Basic Information
- Source:
- Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
- Length:
- 1,465 km
- Basin Area:
- 312,812 km²
- Mouth:
- Bay of Bengal
- States:
- Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
Sacred Geography
- • Trimbakeshwar: Sacred source with Jyotirlinga
- • Nashik: Holy city, Kumbh Mela site
- • Paithan: Ancient capital of Satavahanas
- • Nanded: Sikh pilgrimage center
- • Rajahmundry: Cultural center of Andhra Pradesh
- • Antarvedi: Confluence with Bay of Bengal
Major Tributaries
Left Bank Tributaries
- Pranhita: Largest tributary, confluence of Wardha and Wainganga
- Indravati: Major tributary from Chhattisgarh
- Sabari: Sacred river mentioned in Ramayana
Right Bank Tributaries
- Purna: Flows through Maharashtra
- Manjra: Major tributary in Maharashtra
- Manair: Flows through Telangana
Cultural & Religious Significance
Ganga of the South
Godavari is revered as the "Ganga of the South" and holds immense religious significance in Hindu tradition. The river originates near the sacred Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to legend, the river was brought to earth by Sage Gautama to purify his ashram. The river is considered equally sacred as the Ganga, and bathing in its waters is believed to wash away sins and grant moksha.
Sacred Festivals
- • Kumbh Mela: Held every 12 years at Nashik
- • Godavari Pushkaram: Once in 12 years grand celebration
- • Ganga Aarti: Daily evening prayers at ghats
- • Makar Sankranti: Sacred bathing festival
Pilgrimage Sites
- • Trimbakeshwar: Source and Jyotirlinga temple
- • Nashik: Holy city with numerous temples
- • Paithan: Ancient religious center
- • Bhadrachalam: Famous Rama temple
Scriptural References
Brahma Purana
"Godavari is the most sacred among all rivers in the Deccan. She purifies all sins and grants liberation to those who bathe in her waters with devotion."
Skanda Purana
"The river Godavari, flowing from Trimbak, is as sacred as Ganga. Those who perform shraddha (ancestral rites) on her banks attain great merit."
Ramayana Connection
"Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent part of their exile on the banks of Godavari at Panchavati, making it eternally sacred in Hindu tradition."
Complete Godavari Information
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