2. By: Anavi Khetarpal

3.  Bhagiratha prayed to Brahma that Ganga come down to Earth.  Brahma agreed, and he requested Ganga Devi to come down to the earth.  Then on to the Underworld so that the souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors would be able to go to Heaven.

4.  Ganga felt that this was insulting and decided to sweep the whole Earth away as she fell from the Heavens.  Alarmed, Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Shiva that he break up Ganga's descent.

5.  Ganga arrogantly fell on Lord Shiva's head.  But Lord Shiva calmly trapped her in his hair and let her out in small streams.  The touch of Lord Shiva further sanctified Ganga.  As Ganga travelled to the Underworld, she created a different stream to remain on Earth to help purify unfortunate souls there.

6.  Ganga is a holy river. Her physical form rises in the Himalayas from an ice cave on the Gangotri glacier.  Several places sacred to Hindus lie along the banks of the river Ganga, including Haridwar and Varanasi.  Hindus make pilgrimages to bathe in the Ganga and to meditate on its banks.  It is believed that dipping in the Ganga will wash away one's sins.  Having ones ashes disposed of in the Ganga after death, may get liberation soon.

7.  Ganga resides in the Spiritual world as Ganga Devi.  In her original form she is a gopi in Goloka Vrindavan  She washes the lotus feet of Lord Krishna  Only one drop of her spiritual water came to Earth manifesting in Ganga River  She appears anywhere as sacred water  Ganga is the source of Causal Ocean beyong Brahmandas

9. Quiz 1.Who prayed to Lord Brahma to bring Ganga Devi down to the Earth and Underworld? 2.Who took Ganga Devi to fall on the head and reduced her force? 3.Name the place where Ganga originates as a holy river? 4.Name one of the famous holy towns on the bank of Ganga river. 5.What is Ganga’s spiritual form in Goloka Vrindavana?

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL2 qJgET-HM http://vamsikarra.wordpress.com/2009/ 12/06/hindu-customs-should-reflect- sanatana-dharma/ http://www.sanatansociety.org/beeld/P aintings/Pieter_Weltevrede/Ganga_Bo ok/pw_ga_bhagiratha_and_brahma_2 00.gif