Many centuries ago, King Bhagiratha was desperate to bring the sacred Ganges from the heavens down to Earth. His ancestors’ spirits needed her purifying waters to attain peace. The Ganges agreed to descend but warned that her mighty force could devastate the land if she fell uncontrolled.
To protect Earth, Lord Shiva, the mighty destroyer and protector, stepped in. When Ganga descended, her fierce, torrential flow threatened to flood everything. Shiva, with his mighty matted hair, caught her in a long, tangled braid, controlling her power. Slowly, he released her in gentle streams, guiding her to flow gracefully across the mountains and plains.
Ganga’s descent, thanks to Shiva’s divine efforts, became a symbol of spiritual cleansing. Her waters blessed the land and all living beings, symbolizing purity, salvation, and the divine power of devotion and self-control.