N3-NASIK-BIRTH PLACE OF MIGHTY RIVER GODAVARI

 By PRAGYANSHARMA POLAVARAPU (Vrs.Somanchi)

Sage Gautama the great sage  of heaven, lived for a long time in an  “Ashram”( a holy simple hut made of thatch for  meditation) on lofty Brahmagiri mountains which are the first ranges of Sahyadri mountains on which cities like Pune and Nashik exist . The sage  was respected even by gods for his extraordinary spiritual powers . He was greatly respected by the people of nearby  villages as he was a kind hearted and gentle person. Once  an old cow trampled through his fields at a time when  the ripe crop was ready for cutting and destroyed the crop extensively . The sage lost his temper and cursed the cow. The old cow died on the spot.  The sage immediately realized the result of his anger and felt great remorse.  He did penance for many years praying to  Lord Shiva to ask for a way to atone for his hasty action.    Lord Shiva appeared before the sage who requested to let the  holy   river Ganga flow on earth in the Ashram area and bring life to the cow and to help people to have perennial supply of  water for crops.

The sage also requested Lord Shiva to have a permanent abode  on the lofty Brahmagiri hills( near the area where the sage had his ashram) .All the boons were granted by Lord Shiva. Godavari river( considered  as a form of the holy river Ganga of heaven) was born as a small stream coming down from Brahmagiri hills and transformed itself into a  mighty  river irrigating millions of acres of parched land. Lord Shiva was also pleased to stay on Brahmagiri hills as Lord Triumbakeswar.  Godavari reaches Nashik city after a journey of about 30 kilometers from the source near  Nasika Triumbak and becomes  a  wide river and flows  through parts of the city and then starts its long journey across central India . There are  many beautiful  temples in the old part of the city with  bathing ghats with  stone steps . frequently large groups of  pilgrims coming from nearby towns and villages  take a holy dip  at these  easily reachable ghats .Nasik has great religious  traditions dating back to 2000 or 3000 years .