Gangadwar of Godavari River in Trimbakeshwar

Gangadwar of Godavari River

After our visit to Trimbakeshwar, we decided to climb around 800 steps and visit the Gangadwar. Gangadwar is the place where River Godavari originates from the Hills.

After years of mediation Lord Shiva relented and thus River Godavari originated from Brahmagiri Hills. Rishi Gautama took a dip in River Godavari and was released from the sin of killing the cow.

The view from Gangadwar is a site to see.

There is a temple of Maa Godavari and at her feet is a stone in the shape of cow’s head through which River Godavari water is flowing drop by drop.

The short and sweet story of the origin of River Godavari goes like this – Rishi Gautama and his wife Ahilya used to stay in this area.

 A cow was accidentally killed by Rishi Gautama. To become free from the sin of killing a cow (gao hatya) he was asked to take a dip in the sacred water of River Ganga. Rishi Gautama and wife Ahilya meditated (tapasya) for years in the name of Lord Shiva to send the River Ganga on earth.