NARMADA SINDHU KAVERI GODAVRI NAMOSTHUTHAE 17 Dear friendsThis is part 17 of the posting under the above title and I have covered all the rivers told under the title. I am writing about River BRAHMA PUTRA in this posting. It will be continued in next two postings also. Relation between Maha nadi and Lord Krishna- An excellent legend was posted by one of the members as response and I have duly acknowledged him for the added information. Sincerely, Gopala Krishnan 11-4-2010 Reposted on 17-5-2020 after editing R.. Gopala Krishnan 1. Introduction I have learnt in middle school classes about Brahma Putra River as a river in North India. Normally rivers are considered female but Brahma Putra is considered as male. How the river was called Brahma puthra or as a male river was beyond my thinking at that time. Like other rivers there are many legends associated with Brahma puthra. Brahma puthra river flows through three countries – born in Tibet, flowing through India and then on to Bangladesh. It has many names - Tsangpo in Tibet, Lohit or Brahmaputra in India and Jamuna (not to be confused with Yamuna of India) in Bangladesh. 2. Brahma puthra in Kalika purana There are many mythological stories about Brahmaputhra. The most popular and sacred one is about the river's birth in 'Kalika Purana'. It describes how Parasurama, got rid of his sin of killing his mother Renuka with an axe (or Parashu) by taking bath in the sacred waters of Brahma puthra. Obeying the order from his father Jamadagni, Parasurama killed his own mother by severing her head with an axe. The story of Jamadagni and Renuka I have already posted a few times... As a result of this nefarious act, the axe got stuck to his hand and he was unable to take it off his hand. (For me new information) On advice from sages, Parasurama started on a pilgrimage and ultimately reached the place, which is presently known as Parashuram Kunda (about 25 km north of Tezu in Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh). According to the legend the mighty river was confined to a Kund or a small lake surrounded by hills at that time. Parasurama cut down the hills on one side to release the sacred water for the benefit of the common people. By this act, Parasurama's axe came out of his hand to his great relief and he knew that he had been exonerated from his sin. 3. The Brahmaputhra and Assam: The Brahmaputhra is also called as 'Luhit' or 'Burha Luit' in Assam. It is derived from the word 'Lohit' means 'blood' in Assamese. This name is believed to be related to the story of Parashuram described above. 4. Brahma Puthra- son of Lord Brahma As the very name indicates, Brahmaputhra means the son of Lord Brahma. In mythological times, Amogha wife of Sage Shantanu had a child by Brahma the creator of the Universe. The child took the form of water. Shantanu placed the child right in the middle of the four great mountains – Kailash, Gandhamadana, Jarudhi and Sambwartakka. He grew into a great lake, the Brahmakunda. It was this Brahma Kunda opened on one side by Parasurama. 5. Legend from Tibet The Tibetans believe that long before human occupation, the Chang Tan plateau was covered by the waters of a great lake. A Bodhisattva (an enlightened being) decided the waters had to flow to help people who occupy the region. So he cut an outlet through the Himalayas for the Tsangpo or 'Great River'. The mountains, gorges and jungles through which the Tsangpo flows in Tibet are considered extremely holy. Ancient Tibetan scrolls written by sages, speaks of sanctuaries or beyuls deep in the Himalayas. Here ageing is slowed down and, animals and plants have miraculous powers. The Tibetans believe that in this area, perhaps through one of the waterfalls at the bottom of the world's deepest gorge, is the doorway to paradise on Earth, Shangri-la. 6. Balarama and Brahma puthra river Balarama, Krishna's brother committed the sin of killing many Brahmins. To wash of his sins, he went on a pilgrimage and visited the confluence of the rivers Brahmaputra and Laskshya. He used his plough to get them to flow and meet yet another river the Dhaleshwari. As this was the place where the plough stopped, it was called Langalbandh. The Lohit or Luit or Lauhitya joins the Brahmaputra and the Brahmaputra itself is called by these names in parts of North Eastern India. From India, the Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh. 7.Slightly different version of Parasurama Legend Slightly different version of sage Parasurama legend goes on to add that Parashurama used a plough to further furrow the soft soil to make a path for the waters to flow to the plains. Tired he stopped at a place near Sonargaon. Here his plough or 'Langal' came to a standstill or 'bandh', and this place got called Langalbandh. This is considered to be a very holy place to round of a pilgrimage with a dip in the Brahmaputra.. 8. Ganga turn down Brahma puthra's love . Brahmaputra in due time desired to marry Ganga. To test his love Ganga took on the form of an old woman. When Brahmaputra came he did not recognize Ganga appearing as old woman. Ganga got angry and turned down the love of Brhama putra. Later however Ganga allowed the Jamuna (Not Yamuna) to join her.Jamuna is the name of Brahma puthra in Bangaladesh. One more legend of associating Krishna and Brahma puthra is there. NEXT POSTING I will start with it and further details of Brhama puthra.
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 Images are not displayed. Display images below - Always display images from Pattars-noreply@yahoogroups.com I am sorry to note that our gods and goddesses were murderers of mothers ,fathers husbands, children had incestuous relationships and then quietly prescribed penances to wash of sins.The Bible has similar stories but not the quran excepting for its attitude toward other pagan religions not christianity there are no such stories there. Sent from my iPad On 18-May-2020, at 07:42, gopala krishnan gopa4411@yahoo.in [Pattars] <Pattars-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
NARMADA SINDHU KAVERI GODAVRI NAMOSTHUTHAE 17 Dear friendsThis is part 17 of the posting under the above title and I have covered all the rivers told under the title. I am writing about River BRAHMA PUTRA in this posting. It will be continued in next two postings also. Relation between Maha nadi and Lord Krishna- An excellent legend was posted by one of the members as response and I have duly acknowledged him for the added information. Sincerely, Gopala Krishnan 11-4-2010 Reposted on 17-5-2020 after editing R... Gopala Krishnan | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dear friends
This is part 18 of the posting under the above title and I have covered all the rivers told under the title. This is 2nd part about river BRAHMA PUTHRA. It will be continued in next posting also.
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 15-4-2010
Reposted on 19-5-2020 after editing. R. Gopala Krishnan
Continued from NSK 17
9. Lord Krishna and Brahma puthra- Blood-soaked city Tezpur
Tezpur in Assam is a historic town on the northern banks of Brahmaputra. Legend goes that it used to be called Sonitpur. Banasura a descendent of Prahalada and son of Mahabali(Onam festival of Kerala) ruled here. He had a beautiful daughter Usha. Not wanting her to marry someone he did not approve off, he kept her isolated in a palace. She had among her friends the minister's daughter Chitralekha who had some magical powers. ( There is another version she was an apsaras)
Usha once dreamt of a handsome young man and some how fell in love with him. Chitralekha helped her by drawing his image from Usha's narration of personality from the dream she saw. Then Usha helped her by identifying him as Krishna's son Aniruddha. Later, Chitralekha carried away Aniruddha while he was sleeping in the Palace . Once Aniruddha was smuggled into Usha's Palace, they two fell in love with each other and got married in Gandharva style .
Banasura discovered this and tied up Aniruddha. Krishna hearing of this came to rescue him. Banasura was a great devotee of Shiva. He prayed to Lord Siva.
A huge battle began between Lord Krishna and Banasura. Shiva fought with Krishna, just as many other equals fight each other. Eventually many died and the whole city is drenched in blood. Banasura's arms were cut off and he retired to the Himalayas.. Krishna returned to Dwaraka with Usha and Aniruddha. It was an equal war ( There is a differnet version Krishna spared the life of Banasura at the desire of Lord Siva which some how I feel less appropriate)
That is how the name Tezpur comes - from 'Teza' + 'Pura' or 'Blood' + 'City'.
10 Course of Brahmaputhra
The river Brahmaputhra is one of the major rivers in the world. It originates from Mansarovar near Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, flows via Tibet, China, India and Bangladesh and empties in to Bay of Bengal. The total length it travels from Himalayans to the Bay is about 2900 Km.
In Tibet Brahmaputhra is known as 'Tsangpo'. It follows the great Himalayans in its course till India with an average height of 4000 meters. It enters India in Arunachal Pradesh where it is called 'Siang'. It then flows down to the plains of Assam, where it is called Dibang. It joins with other two giant rivers, Dibang and Lohit.
There are many tributaries, which joins Brahmaputhra on both northern and southern bank of the river in Assam. With all its tributaries, the river creates the fertile Brahmaputhra Valley of Assam. After Assam Brahmaputhra enters Bangladesh where it flows for 240 kms to meet Ganges. While in Bangaladesh the river is called Jamuna there and finally empties into the Bay of Bangal. The Brahmaputhra River is the lifeline of the all the people living in Assam and Bangladesh.
11.Some interesting facts about Brahmaputhra:
1. In the Tibet and Himalayan region, Brahmaputhra flows at an average height of 400 meters for 13000 kms. This is highest for any major river in the world.
2. The mighty Brahmaputhra is supposed to be on of the most powerful river in the world. Based upon the flow rate, Brahmaputhra is the fifth strongest river in the world.
3. The Brahmaputra is one of those very few major rivers in the world, which exhibit 'tidal bore'. It means incoming tides form waves that travel up the river against the direction of the current. This is what called a true 'tidal wave' in geography. This is one of the reasons behind Brahmaputhra's enormous strength. (New information about tidal wave of Brahma puthra)
4. 'Majuli', the largest island created by a river also resides in the Brahmaputra. This river island is situated in Assam and around 100 km in length.
5. The Brahmaputhra along with Ganges create the largest delta in the world, Sundarban in Bangladesh.
6. The average width of Brahmaputra is close to 5.46 km in plains, which is on the widest in the world.
7. Where Brahmaputhra enters India is till date on the most remote and adventurous part of the world. The river flows rapidly down to the plains from a height of 4000 meters in this region. This unknown region had trapped imagination of British for many decades in 19th century until it was discovered.
12. Brahma Puthra and Assam
The river Brahmaputra and its fertile valley is the lifeline of Assam. It's is the symbol of power and greatness for the people of Assam. Majuli, the river island of Assam is the art, culture and religious capital of Assam till date.
But equally Brahmaputra has been destructing Assam every year with it's devastating flood after 1950s. The flood issue is becoming the most concerned threat to the economy of the state. The flood also affects wildlife of Assam like Kaziranga National Park, which is the habitat of the endangered One Horned Rhino.
I have studied Chirapunji in Assam is having highest rainfall. I am not sure the rain water goes as small stream in to Brahmaputhra there. Learned members can enlighten me.
I will continue and conclude Brahmaputhra in NEXT POSTING.
This is part 19 of the posting under the above title and I have covered all the rivers told under the title. This is concluding part about River BRAHMA PUTHRA.
Sincerely
Gopala Krishnan 15-4-2010
Reposted on 20-5-2020 after editing. R.Gopala Krishnan.
Continued from NSK 18
13. Preserve Brahmaputra River:
The Brahmaputhra is the least polluted of all other major rivers of India. Most of the pollutions are created by Oil Industries of Assam and wastes of cities like Guwahati (Petroleum is obtained from the oil wells of Dig jam in Assam, I have studied in my primary classes). I think the "shell" company is having their produces from here (Previous Burma shell). The pollution concern around Guwahati is increasing day by day, and it's high time to stop it now or we will have to pay the consequences soon!
14. Upper course of Brahma Puthra was known in 1884 only
Brahma Puthra's upper course was long unknown, and its identity with the Yarlung Tsangpo was only established by exploration in 1884-86.
15. Brahama puthra course in Bangaladesh
As told earlier Brahma puthra merges with the Ganges to form a vast delta in Bangaldesh. About 1,800 miles (2,900 km) long, the river is an important source for irrigation and transportation. Actually it is deviding in to two at Bangaldesh and and later again merges.
The much larger branch continues due south as the Jamuna (Jomuna) and flows into the Lower Ganges (Ganges locally called Padma,) while the older branch curves southeast as the lower Brahmaputra (Bromhoputro) and flows into the Meghna. Both paths eventually reconverge near Chandpur in Bangladesh and flow out into the Bay of Bengal.
However, Before 250 years ago it was the actual Brahmaputra river in Bangladesh passes through the Jamalpur and Mymensingh district, a serious earthquake led its in present flow. Fed by the waters of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, this river system forms the Ganges Delta, the largest river delta in the world
16. Sunderbans Delta
In Bangladesh the river merges with the Ganges and splits into two: the Padma and Meghna River. When it merges with the Ganges it forms the world's largest delta, the Sunderbans.
The Sunderbans is known for tigers, crocodiles and mangroves.
While most rivers on the Indian subcontinent have female names, this river has a rare male name, as it means "son of Brahma" in Sanskrit(putra means "son").
17. Navigation
This river is often called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river. The average depth of river is 124 feet (38 m) and maximum depth is 380 feet (120 m).
The Brahmaputra is navigable for most of its length. The lower part reaches are sacred to Hindus. The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in spring when the Himalayan snows melt. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore as told earlier.
17.1 Assam Bengal Navigation
Assam Bengal Navigation is an Indo-British joint venture, with offices in Guwahati and the UK. In 2003 ABN pioneered long-distance river cruising in India with our unique cruises on the River Brahmaputra in Assam, and in 2007 we were also the first to run cruises on the River Hugli between Kolkata and the Ganges.
We were awarded the Indian National Tourism Award for Innovation in 2004-2005. Experience counts for everything here, and our expertise in the field of river cruising on both waterways is unrivalled.
17.2 Assam Cruises (Cruises meaning-Enjoyment ride in ship with out aim as per Lipco dictionary)
Wildlife and wilderness are the main features of a cruise in Assam on the vast Brahmaputhra River – the riverbed is often 20 or 30 km across, an empty world of sand spits and water with marvelous bird life and the occasional Gangetic Dolphin. The cruises here also give access to a number of India's National Parks, including Kaziranga, perhaps the finest of all, and Manas, a Project Tiger reserve on the Bhutan border.
17.3 Bengal cruses.
The waterways of the old Bengal Presidency now lie in the Indian states of Bihar and West Bengal, and in independent Bangladesh. Here in the north of the region the rivers Ganges and Brahmaputhra meet head to head and then flow out to the sea through the world's largest delta. The rivers meet the sea through a maze of low-lying mangrove-covered islands, the famous Sunder bans, and home of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
18.Co-operation on the Brahmaputhra
No mention about any dam across the river is available in India.
The waters of the River Brahmaputra are shared by China, India and Bangladesh. In recent years, there has been speculation about China building a dam at the Great Bend, with a view to divert the waters to the North of the country. This has been denied by the Government, as well as experts. Customary Law offers relief to the lower riparian countries
At the Kathmandu Workshop of Strategic Foresight Group in August 2009 on Water Security in the Himalayan Region, which on a rare occasion brought together leading hydrologists from the Basin countries, the Chinese scientists argued that it was not feasible for China to undertake such a diversion.
In a subsequent meeting of the scientists at Dhaka, 25 leading experts from the Basin countries issued a Dhaka Declaration on Water Security calling for exchange of information in low flow period, and other means of collaboration. Even though the UN Convention on Trans-boundary Water of 1997 does not prevent any of the Basin countries from building a dam, Customary Law offers relief to the lower riparian countries. Also, there is in fact potential for China, India and Bangladesh to develop hydroelectricity projects and transboundary water navigation. They can also collaborate to reduce emissions of aerosol in the region which can help to sustain the glaciers that feed the River( All inforation from Wiki pedia)
My note on 20-5-2020 I found on google search- The Zangmu Dam is a gravity dam on the Yarlung Zangbo/ Brahmaputra River 9 km (5.6 mi)northwest of Gyaca in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This dam is built a few kilometers from the bhutan- India border. The purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production using run-of-the-river technology.
Brahmaputra river is known as Red river in India as this river turns red or has a red tinge for 3 or so days in the month of June. ... Others say that the mountain at which the temple is located is made up of cinnabar which gives the river water its red tinge. It's because of some red algae growth in the month of June.
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