CULTURAL HISTORY

OF
THE RIVER GODAVARI

NEENU. M. G
I M.Sc.
Ad.No:AQB2018/04
Dept. Of Aquatic Biology &
Fisheries
 INTRODUCTION
From time immemorial, the fresh water system, especially rivers, plays an
important role in the lifeline of living beings, directly and indirectly.

So all the oldest civilizations developed at the banks of rivers- Indus Valley
Civilization at Indus, Mesopotamia Civilization between Euphrates and Tigris,
etc.

India is a blessed country with numerous rivers and lakes.

Many of the rivers in India play an important Cultural, Social and Economic
roles.

In my activity, I selected The River Godavari.

Let us take a look at the glimpse of the origin and path, significance and
cultural history of the Godavari …..
 ORIGIN AND PATH
The river Godavari is the second longest river after the Ganga.
It origin from Triambakeshwar in Nasik district in Maharashtra.
It flows east for 1,465Km through the Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chattisgrah and
Puducherry.
It has a total catchment area of 31mha.
Its tributaries include Penganga, Wainganga, Sabari, Indravati, Manjira
and Waradha.
In terms of length, catchment area and discharge, the Godavari is the
largest in Peninsular India and had been called as
“Dakshina Ganga” -Ganges of South/ “Vriddh” (old) Ganga.
 SIGNIFICANCE
Carry water & nutrients from the western Ghats . Thus it play a major
role in maintenance of water cycle, acting as drainage for surface water
of the system.
There are Wildlife Santuaries & National Parks situated near the bank
of Godavari. Eg: Papikonda National Park(A.P & Telengana).
The valleys & plains provide fertile soil which helps in agriculture.
Fishing is the main occupation.
The Asia’s largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking
Kovvur & Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat.
Many Dams in the Godavari provide Hydro-electric power.
Eg: Sriram Sagar Dam& Kaddam Dam(A.P), Paithan Dam(Maharashtra).
 CULTURAL HISTORY
Reveals the historic & prosperous legacy of Hindu culture.
According to the Puranas, the river Ganga should be visited after the
visit to the river Godavari.
Sacred river in India.
Several pilgrimage places on the banks of river.
Eg: Trimbakeshwar- ancient temple of Lord Shiva, Nanded Takht Sri
Hazur Sahib- sacred place of Sikhs, Bhadrachalam- temple of Lord
Rama etc,.
Pushkaram Festival/ Kumbh Mela- once in every 12 years.
Other names- South Ganga/ Dakshin Ganga, Gautami, Maheshwari,
Vaishnavi, Nanda, Sunanda, Kamadayini etc,.
 CONCLUSION

Assumed as the ‘Adhya’ (first) river in Puranas.

‘Sapta-pravahi’ (7 streams)

‘Jeevandayini’(one who gives life) & ‘Arogyadayini’(one who gives health).

Now the Godavari under the serious threat of Urbanization & Industrialization.

Dying at an alarming rate due to pollution.

As a result of pollution, people who depend on the system as a livelihood faces severe diseases like
lung cancer, leukemia, liver cancer etc,.

The Govt. of India has been continously taking steps to save the river from further pollution…

“The River has been concretised badly due to which water does not percolate or flow freely. Slab
has been laid over the concretised river as a result it has become a nullah, where waste and pooja
material block the river flow,” said Environmental Activists.

 
 REFERENCE
https://www.ecoindia.com/rivers/godavari.html
http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/sacred_r
iver_godavari.html
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