Dear friends
This is part 11 of the posting under the above title. I am starting with River Godavari in this posting
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 7-4-2010
Re posted on 11-5-2020 after editing. R. Gopala Krishnan.
Continued from N..S..K..10
1. Introduction
Spiritual tradition enjoins us to remember in our daily prayers the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Cauvery as a thanks giving to Mother Nature. In ancient times people held rivers in awe and endowed them with mystical origins.
The river Godavari is popularly referred to as the Dakshina Ganga and is considered one of the sacred rivers of India, as it is associated with the Ramayana.
The Godavari is the longest of the east flowing rivers of the south. It is born further north, in the ranges of the Western Ghats.
Godavari is sometimes referred to as the Vriddh (Old) Ganga also.
2. Sage Gautama and Godavari
Legend has it that Sage Gautama lived on the Brahmagiri Hills at Triambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya ( The very same mythological Ahalya appeared during Palazhi manthan and Indra desired to have her but was given to sage Gautama who was a onlooker. Indra Ahalya episodes I have narrated earlier along with Sucheendram postings.
The sage Gautama had 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 relieve his sins. (Go+dav+ari) In fact I was all the while trying to know how the river got named so!!!.It is totally new information for me.
My note- Yester year there was an actress by name Gautami. So river names to girl children are common.
3. Sri Rama and Godavari
Godavari is related to Ramayana. According to one legend, it is at Panchavati, a place near the town of Nasik on its bank that Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, cut off the nose of Surpanakha, the sister of King Ravana of Lanka..
It is also believed that it is here that Rama and Lakshmana took their ritual bath on hearing of the death of their father, King Dasharatha.
4. Course of Godavari
The Godavari begins its course in the heights of the Western Ghats and then flows east into the Bay of Bengal. It goes on collecting tributaries all along its course. The river begins it journey through the state of Maharashtra and flows near the town of Nasik. From here it crosses the Eastern Ghats and reaches Rajamundry. At Rajahmundry where it becomes a broad and mighty river.
5. Rajahmundry and Railway Bridge
Let me add more about Rajahmundry here. The railway bridge across the Godavari at Rajahmundry is said to be the largest in India. I have passed through the bridge many times while travelling in train, I had felt the rail bridge was very lengthy, but it is the lengthiest is new information to me.
I could not believe my eyes when the train moved at very Low speed over the bridge, I could not see the opposite bank in the first time. Something similar to Pamban Bridge from Pamban to Rameswaram. A normal person will experience some fear while travelling first time
Rajahmundry is the largest city situated on the banks of Godavari. It is at four-hour bus drive from Vijayawada about the distance from Kottayam to Trivandrum. Rajahmundry is often referred to as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh(Just like Trichur for Keralites) and is also its fifth largest city. At Rajahmundry, Godavari is in its widest form having a width of approximately 5 kames from Rajahmundry to the other bank at Kovvur.
Rajahmundry had its original name was Rajamahendri or Rajamahendravaram and served as the second capital of many Kannada kingdoms in the past. Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra ruled this city around 1022.
Rajahmundry is the center for Telugu Literature. A town that symbolises Telugu Culture. It is the native of Aadikavi Nannaya, one of the writers of kavitrayam.
Rajamunddry is also famous for the Godavari Pushkaralu - an event that happens once in every 12 years, celebrated with pomp and glory and attended by lakhs of people from all round the world.
A bath in Godavari during the pushkaram period is said to be equivalent to bathing in the holy River Ganga.
I will continue Godavari in my NEXT TWO POSTINGS ALSO.
GODAVRI NAMOSTHUTHAE 12
Dear friends
This is part 12 of the posting under the above title and 2ndpart of river Godavari
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 9 -4-2010
Continued from N..S..K..11
6. Bhaktha Ramdas and Godavari
Before reaching Rajahmundry Godavari river passes through the town of Bhadrachalam, which was home for the great Rama devotee Ramdas.
7. Gautami Godavari, Vasistha Godavari and Vaishnava Godavari
From Bhadrachalam Godavari flows past the town of Dhavaleshwaram where it divides into three rivers. The eastern one is the Gautami Godavari, the one flowing west is the Vashishta Godavari and the middle one is called the Vaishnava Godavari.
These three rivers form the Godavari delta just before they flow into the sea.
My note- I had no idea the actress named Gauthami featuring in Malayalam films was named after Gauthami River till I read about Godavari river.
As heard from an interview she discontinued her Engineering course and started acting in films.
8. Chengatams in Godavari (Logs of wood tied together and put to flow)
The Godavari is a useful waterway and there is a lot of boat traffic on it. Logs are floated down the river to distant places instead of being taken by road or boat. The banks of the Godavari are rich with teak and bamboo forests.
I am recollecting about the chengatams , a common sight in the Achankovil River in my home in the boy hood days, on reading it.
9. Godavari River geographic details
The Godavari (or Godavery) River is 1445 kilometers long (about 1 ½ times distance between Trivandrum and Chennai). The river originates in India's Western Ghats, in Nasik District, the exact location is Triambak. The elevation is 1200 metres .
When I write Thrayambak many members may be recollecting the Maha Mritunjayaa manthra
"Tryambakam Yajamahae,
sugandhim Pushti vardhanam
Urvarakamido bahdhnath
mirtyor Mokkhsamamrithath
Godavari then flows in a Southeastern direction across Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, bisecting the Deccan Plateau, and then cutting a valley through the Eastern Ghats in a magnificent gorges only 200 meters wide. Above this, however, the river in parts is 2 to 3 kilometers wide. See width is 2-3 KMs wide even swimming across will be very difficult other than for athletics!!
10 . Godavari rice
Rice is grown on the delta, which benefits from a system of irrigation canals as well as the several distributaries. The main canals are all navigable, totaling some 793 kilometers in length, and irrigating 268,000 hectares. The catchment area of the river has been estimated at 290,600 square kilometers.
I have seen in some shops selling rice designating as Godvari rice just like Nellore rice.
11. Tributaries of the Godavari River.
The following tributaries join to the left of Godavari. Rivers Purna, Pranahita, Indravati, Sabariand Taliperu.
The following tributaries join to the right of Godavari. Rivers Pravara, Manjira, Pedda vagu, Manair and Kinnerasani.Bindusara River and Sabari River are also tributaries
12. Basara Saraswathi temple
Basara, on the banks of Godavari in Adilabad District of Andhra Pradesh is home to a famous temple for Goddeses Saraswati and is only to the second temple for the Goddess in India.
13 Godavari- Televaha and Lekshmi Narasimha swamy temple
There is a different Dharmapuri in Andhraa Pradesh like the Dharma puri in Tamilnadu ,a district head quarters where we have Hogenakkal falls.
In Dharmapuri (AP) we have a temple dedicated to Lord Sri Laxmi Nrusimhaswamy, is the second temple town that also attracts pilgrims from all over AP and Maharashtra. According to Dr. Sanganabhatla Narsaiah, Principal of SLNSA College - Dharmapuri, Godavari was also called as 'Telivaha' in this region, which was believed to have driven the name 'Telugu' to the language.
14. Godavari drainage
The Godavari River has a drainage area of 3,42,812 km² that includes more than one state which is nearly one-tenth of India and is greater than the areas of England and Ireland put together. The Pravara, Indrawati, Wainganga, Waradha, Pench, Kanhan and Penuganga rivers, discharge an enormous volume of water into the Godavari system.
15.Religious Significance
The Godavari River is sacred to Hindus and has several pilgrimage centers on its banks. It has been held as a special place of pilgrimage for many thousands of years. Many famous personalities, including Baladeva (5000 years ago) and more recently Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (500 years ago) have bathed in her waters as an act of worship.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.
16.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 Krishna Godavari basin is one of the main nesting sites of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle.
I will continue in my NEXT POSTING some more about Godavari.
Re posted on 12-6-2020 after editings R. Gopala Krishnan
Dear friends
This is part 13 of the posting under the above title.
I am completing compilation about River Godavari in this posting.
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 9-4-2010
Re posted on 13-5-2020 after editing where needed. R.. Gopala krishnan
Continued from N..S..K..12
17. Major towns and cities along the river
In Maharashtra the holy city Nasik is Kumbhamela site and for youngsters , Indian currencies are printed from at Nasik from the beginning.
Indian currency notes are printed at Currency Note Press Nasik ( Maharashtra), Bank Notes Press at Dewas (Madhya Pradesh ) and Bhartiya Reserve Bank Notes Mudran at Mysuru( Karnataka) and Salboni (West Bengal). Rs 2000/= and Rs 500/= notes were printed at RBI Press Mysuru.
Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra the origin has the 10th Jyotirliga of Lord Shiva and very famous temple here.
Paithan in Maharashtra was the ancient capital of Satvahan dynasty and a Holy town
Nanded in Maharashtra is Famous for Sachkhand Gurudwara
Sironcha is a famous town situated near the confluence of Godavari and Pranahita rivers in Maharashtra.
In addition at Kaleshwaram, Karimnagar we have Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy (Siva) Temple Sri Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy Temple is situated here on the banks of Triveni sangamam of rivers godavari and pranahita. (border of Andhra Pradesh and Maharastra). It is 125 kilometers away from Karimnagar, 115 km away from Warangal city.
and at Manthani, Karimnagar (Gautameshwara Swami(Siva) Temple, Sri Rama, Sarswathi Temples)
Other inportant towns of Andhra Pradesh along Godavari river are Adilabad, Bhadrachalam, Khammam, East Godavari, Kovvuru, west Godavari , Narsapur etc, most of these we see as important railway stations while travelling through train.
17.1 Vyasa and Godavari
In Andra pradesh we have at Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple. It is told that the sage Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata on the banks of Godavari at this location, and thus the place came to be known as Vyasara. It is 210 km from state capital Hyderabad and accessible by road and rail Nearest major station: Nizamabad, although Basar station also exists.
Godavari flows from North to South in Dharmapuri, hence the river is termed as 'Dakshina Vahini' [South Flowing]
18 Dowleswarma (Patti seema) Veerabhadra Swamy temple.
The temple is believed to be 1,100 years old. As per mythology, Veerabhadra was born from a lock of Shiva's hair during his tandava performance on sighting his wife getting burnt in the fire of the yagna being performed by his father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati. Veerabhadra Swamy, after slaying Daksha, flung his bloody sword (patta) into the Godavari river.
A linga took shape at the point where the patta fell. The point is thus known as Pattiseema.
19 Dams in Maharashtra across Godavari
There is also a big dam built just after the source of the river at Trimbakeshwar. The dam is in the town of Gangapur, which literally means a town on a river. The dam provides drinking water to the residents of Nashik and also supplies water to the thermal power station situated downstream at Eklahara, which provides power to the town.
The Jayakwadi dam near Paithan is one of the largest earthen dam in India. This dam was built to address the problem of drought in Marathwada region and problem of flood along the bank of river. Two 'left' and 'right' canals provide the irrigation to fertile land up to Nanded district. This dam has major contribution in industrial development of Aurangabad Maharashtra.
20 Dams in Andhra Pradesh across Godavari
Just above Rajamundry, there is a dam that provides water for irrigation. Below Rajahmundry, the river divides into two streams that widen into a large river delta which has an extensive navigable irrigation-canal system,
There is another multipurpose project on the Godavari River named "Sriramsagarproject" in Nizamabad District. It is in the town of Pochampad, 60km away from Nizamabad. It irrigates 4 districts of Northern Telangana Region of Andhra Pradesh and supplies power.
21. Godavari river barrage
A barrage was built on the river at Dowleswaram by Sir Arthur Cotton in 1852.As it was damaged in 1987 floods, it was rebuilt as a barrage and roadway during 1987 and named after him. The roadway connects Dowleswaram in East Godavari and Vijjeswaram in West Godavari.
22. Bridges along the river
There are 3 railway bridges which are connected in between East Godavari and West Godavari districts.
1.Havelock bridge (Named after the then Madras Governor) 2. Rail-cum-road bridge 3.New railway bridge
22.1.Havelock bridge
Started in 1876 and from 19th century onwards it's been helping in transportation between the old Madras state to Calcutta. The first Godavari rail bridge was built in 1897 across the mighty River Godavari connecting East Godavari with West Godavari. It was constructed under the supervision of F.T. Granville Walton who had constructed the Dufferin Bridge over the Ganges, and Granville Mills, British engineers.
Stretching for three kilometres, constructed with stone masonry and steel girders, this bridge served the trains plying between Chennai and Howrah.
Since this first rail bridge outlived its purpose by serving for more than 100 years, train services on this bridge were suspended in 1997 with the commissioning of the third Godavari bridge. Today, the first Godavari bridge still stands as a monument of human endeavor and skill.
22.2.Rail-cum-road bridge
With the increased traffic in goods and passengers, a rail-cum-road bridge was built a quarter century ago across the downstream of the river. This bridge is constructed to serve as both a Railway bridge and as a Road way between the East Godavari and West Godavari Districts.
22.3.New Railway Bridge
This bridge was started in 1997, built across the Upstream of the river.
23. Natural Gas in Godavari
Godavari was in the news recently for the discovery of natural gas in the deep-water block.
24 Pollution
Like most other rivers, domestic pollution is the biggest polluter of the river Godavari, accounting for 82 per cent of total pollution, whereas industrial pollution accounts for about 18 per cent. However more of the blame lies with the 72 industries in the Patancheru Industrial area that have been dumping their effluents into the river.
Even the crop yield has suffered terribly. Before industrialization, the land's crop yield was 40 bags of paddy per acre and is now a mere 10 bags. Toxic metals in the soil have contaminated the crops, penetrated animal milk and affected human health.
17. Major towns and cities along the river
In Maharashtra the holy city Nasik is Kumbhamela site and for youngsters , Indian currencies are printed from at Nasik from the beginning.
Indian currency notes are printed at Currency Note Press Nasik ( Maharashtra), Bank Notes Press at Dewas (Madhya Pradesh ) and Bhartiya Reserve Bank Notes Mudran at Mysuru( Karnataka) and Salboni (West Bengal). Rs 2000/= and Rs 500/= notes were printed at RBI Press Mysuru.
Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra the origin has the 10th Jyotirliga of Lord Shiva and very famous temple here.
Paithan in Maharashtra was the ancient capital of Satvahan dynasty and a Holy town
Nanded in Maharashtra is Famous for Sachkhand Gurudwara
Sironcha is a famous town situated near the confluence of Godavari and Pranahita rivers in Maharashtra.
In addition at Kaleshwaram, Karimnagar we have Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy (Siva) Temple Sri Kaleswara Mukhteswara swamy Temple is situated here on the banks of Triveni sangamam of rivers godavari and pranahita. (border of Andhra Pradesh and Maharastra). It is 125 kilometers away from Karimnagar, 115 km away from Warangal city.
and at Manthani, Karimnagar (Gautameshwara Swami(Siva) Temple, Sri Rama, Sarswathi Temples)
Other inportant towns of Andhra Pradesh along Godavari river are Adilabad, Bhadrachalam, Khammam, East Godavari, Kovvuru, west Godavari , Narsapur etc, most of these we see as important railway stations while travelling through train.
17.1 Vyasa and Godavari
In Andra pradesh we have at Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple. It is told that the sage Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata on the banks of Godavari at this location, and thus the place came to be known as Vyasara. It is 210 km from state capital Hyderabad and accessible by road and rail Nearest major station: Nizamabad, although Basar station also exists.
Godavari flows from North to South in Dharmapuri, hence the river is termed as 'Dakshina Vahini' [South Flowing]
18 Dowleswarma (Patti seema) Veerabhadra Swamy temple.
The temple is believed to be 1,100 years old. As per mythology, Veerabhadra was born from a lock of Shiva's hair during his tandava performance on sighting his wife getting burnt in the fire of the yagna being performed by his father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati. Veerabhadra Swamy, after slaying Daksha, flung his bloody sword (patta) into the Godavari river.
A linga took shape at the point where the patta fell. The point is thus known as Pattiseema.
19 Dams in Maharashtra across Godavari
There is also a big dam built just after the source of the river at Trimbakeshwar. The dam is in the town of Gangapur, which literally means a town on a river. The dam provides drinking water to the residents of Nashik and also supplies water to the thermal power station situated downstream at Eklahara, which provides power to the town.
The Jayakwadi dam near Paithan is one of the largest earthen dam in India. This dam was built to address the problem of drought in Marathwada region and problem of flood along the bank of river. Two 'left' and 'right' canals provide the irrigation to fertile land up to Nanded district. This dam has major contribution in industrial development of Aurangabad Maharashtra.
20 Dams in Andhra Pradesh across Godavari
Just above Rajamundry, there is a dam that provides water for irrigation. Below Rajahmundry, the river divides into two streams that widen into a large river delta which has an extensive navigable irrigation-canal system,
There is another multipurpose project on the Godavari River named "Sriramsagarproject" in Nizamabad District. It is in the town of Pochampad, 60km away from Nizamabad. It irrigates 4 districts of Northern Telangana Region of Andhra Pradesh and supplies power.
21. Godavari river barrage
A barrage was built on the river at Dowleswaram by Sir Arthur Cotton in 1852.As it was damaged in 1987 floods, it was rebuilt as a barrage and roadway during 1987 and named after him. The roadway connects Dowleswaram in East Godavariand Vijjeswaram in West Godavari.
22. Bridges along the river
There are 3 railway bridges which are connected in between East Godavari and West Godavari districts.
1.Havelock bridge (Named after the then Madras Governor) 2. Rail-cum-road bridge 3.New railway bridge
22.1.Havelock bridge
Started in 1876 and from 19th century onwards it's been helping in transportation between the old Madras state to Calcutta. The first Godavari rail bridge was built in 1897 across the mighty River Godavari connecting East Godavari with West Godavari. It was constructed under the supervision of F.T. Granville Walton who had constructed the Dufferin Bridge over the Ganges, and Granville Mills, British engineers.
Stretching for three kilometres, constructed with stone masonry and steel girders, this bridge served the trains plying between Chennai and Howrah.
Since this first rail bridge outlived its purpose by serving for more than 100 years, train services on this bridge were suspended in 1997 with the commissioning of the third Godavari bridge. Today, the first Godavari bridge still stands as a monument of human endeavor and skill.
22.2.Rail-cum-road bridge
With the increased traffic in goods and passengers, a rail-cum-road bridge was built a quarter century ago across the downstream of the river. This bridge is constructed to serve as both a Railway bridge and as a Road way between the East Godavari and West Godavari Districts.
22.3.New Railway Bridge
This bridge was started in 1997, built across the Upstream of the river.
23. Natural Gas in Godavari
Godavari was in the news recently for the discovery of natural gas in the deep-water block.
24 Pollution
Like most other rivers, domestic pollution is the biggest polluter of the river Godavari, accounting for 82 per cent of total pollution, whereas industrial pollution accounts for about 18 per cent. However more of the blame lies with the 72 industries in the Patancheru Industrial area that have been dumping their effluents into the river.
Even the crop yield has suffered terribly. Before industrialization, the land's crop yield was 40 bags of paddy per acre and is now a mere 10 bags. Toxic metals in the soil have contaminated the crops, penetrated animal milk and affected human health
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