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Religious significance
Godavari is one of the most sacred rivers of India.
Every twelve years, Pushkaram fair is held on its banks of the
river. Thousands of people have a holy dip in the sacred waters of the river
to purify themselves of all their sins.
Legend has it that Sage Gautama lived on the
Brahmagiri Hills at Triambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The rishi
kept his stock of rice in a granary. Once, a cow entered his granary and
ate up the rice. When the rishi tried to ward the cow away with
Durbha grass, it fell dead. The rishi wanted to relieve himself of the sin
of ‘Gohatya’. He worshipped Lord Shiva and requested him to bring
Ganga to purify his hermitage. Lord Shiva pleased with the rishi appeared
as Triambaka and brought along river Ganga. Since Ganga was brought down to
Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, she is known here as Gautami. She is
also known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama to
releive of his sins.
Triambaka and brought along Ganga. Since Ganga was
brought down to Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, she is known here as
Gautami. It is also known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama
to releive of his sins.
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Idol of Goddess
Godavari
(Photo courtesy: www.dattapeetham.com)
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Ecological
significance
The Coringa mangrove forests in the Godavari
delta are the second largest mangrove formation in the country. Part of
this has been declared as the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned
for its reptiles. They also provide an important habitat to a wide variety
of fish and crustaceans. These forests also act as barriers against
cyclones, tropical stroms and tidal waves thus protecting the nearby
villages.
The Godavari-Krishna basin is one of the main nesting
sites of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle.
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