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Divine Rivers of India - Legends & Modern Problems

The document discusses the mythological significance and modern challenges faced by major rivers in India, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. It highlights the pollution, over-extraction, and climate change affecting these rivers, while also noting their revered status in Indian culture and spirituality. Common themes include the divine origins of rivers and the ongoing struggle to balance their sacredness with modern environmental issues.

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siddhika2367
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24 views4 pages

Divine Rivers of India - Legends & Modern Problems

The document discusses the mythological significance and modern challenges faced by major rivers in India, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. It highlights the pollution, over-extraction, and climate change affecting these rivers, while also noting their revered status in Indian culture and spirituality. Common themes include the divine origins of rivers and the ongoing struggle to balance their sacredness with modern environmental issues.

Uploaded by

siddhika2367
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Divine Rivers of India: Legends & Modern Problems

River Mythological Significance / Legends Modern Issues /


Challenges

Ganga (Ganges) Descended from heaven through the - Severe pollution


matted locks of Lord Shiva to purify the from sewage,
ashes of King Bhagiratha's ancestors. industrial waste, and
Worshipped as Goddess Ganga. plastic.
Bathing in her waters is believed to - Over-extraction for
absolve sins. agriculture.
- Encroachment, sand
mining, and
ecosystem
degradation.
- Ganga Action Plans
have had limited
success.

Yamuna Sister of Yama (god of death), hence - Among the most


bathing in her purifies the soul. Closely polluted rivers in India.
associated with Krishna’s childhood in - High levels of
Vrindavan—he played on her banks and untreated sewage in
performed the Kaliya serpent miracle. Delhi and Agra.
- Dead zones with no
aquatic life
downstream.
- Foaming due to
chemical detergents.

Saraswati (now mostly An ancient Vedic river, considered the - Considered "lost"; its
mythical) goddess of knowledge. It is believed to dry course is traced
have disappeared underground due to a via satellite imagery.
curse or natural shift. Mentioned in - Environmental and
Rigveda. archaeological efforts
to revive or locate it
are ongoing.
- Cultural and political
debates surround its
legacy.
Godavari Known as the Dakshina Ganga (Ganga - Pollution from urban
of the South). Said to have been settlements and
brought down by sage Gautama after immersion of idols.
long penance. Flows through sacred - Reduced flow due to
towns like Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. dams and water
diversion.
- Deforestation in its
upper catchment.

Narmada Emerged from the sweat of Lord Shiva - Sand mining and
during his cosmic dance. Considered one deforestation affecting
of the holiest rivers; doing the Narmada her banks.
Parikrama (circumambulation) is a - Impact from large
sacred vow. dams (e.g., Sardar
Sarovar).
- Pollution rising in
cities like Jabalpur.

Kaveri (Cauvery) Born from the prayers of Sage Agastya - Inter-state water
and the boon of Lord Brahma. disputes between
Worshipped in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka as Kaveri Amman. Karnataka.
Associated with the Kumbakonam - Water scarcity due to
Mahamaham festival. monsoon
irregularities.
- Pollution from urban
runoff and agricultural
chemicals.

Krishna Said to have originated from Lord - Over-extraction and


Vishnu’s foot. Associated with the tale of droughts.
Balram and various south Indian - Conflicts over dam
legends. Flows through Maharashtra, water sharing.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. - Increasing industrial
and agricultural
pollution.

Saraswati Some legends identify this Saraswati - Mostly dry today;


(Punjab/Haryana with the invisible underground river efforts underway to
tributary, different from flowing into the Triveni Sangam. Symbol rejuvenate this
Vedic Saraswati) of hidden wisdom. seasonal river.
Sindhu (Indus) Sacred in the Rigveda, and from which - Most of the river now
India gets its name. Once flowed through flows through
India before partition. Revered as the Pakistan.
mother of civilization. - Indian access limited
to upper reaches in
Ladakh.
- Climate change
affecting glaciers
feeding it.

Brahmaputra Worshipped in Assam as Luit, - Frequent, intense


associated with Shiva in Tantric lore. flooding in Assam.
Said to be the son of Brahma. Hosts the - Erosion of fertile
Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple. lands.
- Chinese dam
projects upstream
raise geopolitical
concerns.

Tapi (Tapti) Daughter of Surya (Sun God). A river of - Pollution from


penance and purity flowing westward into industrial belts in
the Arabian Sea. Surat region.
- Water stress in dry
years.

🕉️ Common Themes in Myths


●​ Rivers are often goddesses or daughters of gods.​

●​ Many rivers are believed to have descended from heaven due to intense penance or
divine intervention.​

●​ Bathing in them is said to cleanse sins and liberate the soul (moksha).​

●​ Some rivers are associated with divine plays (lilas) of Krishna, Shiva, or other deities.​

⚠️ Modern Challenges Across All Rivers


●​ Pollution: Untreated sewage, chemicals, plastic.​
●​ Over-extraction: For irrigation, cities, industries.​

●​ Encroachment: Urban expansion, illegal construction.​

●​ Climate Change: Altered monsoon patterns, glacier melt.​

●​ Loss of Sacredness: Rituals sometimes pollute what they once sanctified.​

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