Godavari River

About:

The second largest river in India, Godavari is often referred to as the Vriddh (Old) Ganga or the Dakshin (South) Ganga.The river runs almost for a length of 1,465 km and has a total catchment area of 31mha. The river flows in the eastward direction through the states of Maharashtra and joins the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh. The name may be apt in more ways than one, as the river follows the course of Ganga's tragedy: Pollution in this peninsular river is fast reaching unsafe levels. The Godavari originates near Triambak in the Nasik district of Maharashtra, and flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Although its point of origin is just 80 kms away from the Arabian Sea, it journeys 1,465 kms to fall into the Bay of Bengal. Some of its tributaries include Indravati, Manjira, Bindusara and Sarbari. Some important urban centers on its banks include Nasik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nizamabad, Rajahmundry, and Balaghat.

Trimbakeshwar is actually the temple of Lord Shiva, in the village Trimbak. Trimbakeshwar temple is a famous pilgrim spot in India. Trimbakeshwar is the origin of river Godavari. Trimbakeshwar is one of the 12 jyotirlingas and the eighth one in the series of Lord Shiva. Particularly this one is considered to be the main Jyotirlinga. Monday is a scared day here and Shivratri is the holy day of Shiva Puja of the year, which is celebrated here with pomp and show. The Goddess in this temple is called Trimbakeshwari. Raju Balaji Baji Rao who ruled Maharashtra constructed this temple. Later, many Maratha kings contributed in several ways to improve the condition of the temple. Very close to the temple, Papaharini Theertham is situated. People take holy bath here before visiting the temple, which is known for its holy bath. This place is created by river Godavari after descending from Brahmagiri.

The temple is situated in a hilly region called Sahyagiri. The Temple premises are called Brahmagiri, as is best known as the most sacred place of river Godavari or Brahma Sthalam. The Sun, Moon and Agni form the three eyes are located at diverse directions on this Jyotirlinga. Inside the main linga, there are three more lingas noticeable. These are the three deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. There is a belief that, anybody who performs puja for this Jyotirlinga is considered as actually worshipping all these three Gods together.

Location info:

Address:Triambakeshwar, Maharashtra,India.
District: Nasik District
Nearest City: Trimbakeshwar.
Best time to visit: During monsoon season

Climate/Weather:

Tropical climate

History:

Religious significance:

Godavari is one of the most sacred rivers of India. Every twelve years, Pushkaram fair is held on its banks of the river. Thousands of people have a holy dip in the sacred waters of the river to purify themselves of all their sins.

Legend has it that Sage Gautama lived on the Brahmagiri Hills at Triambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The rishi kept his stock of rice in a granary. Once, a cow entered his granary and ate up the rice. When the rishi tried to ward the cow away with Durbha grass, it fell dead. The rishi wanted to relieve himself of the sin of ‘Gohatya’. He worshipped Lord Shiva and requested him to bring Ganga to purify his hermitage. Lord Shiva pleased with the rishi appeared as Triambaka and brought along river Ganga. Since Ganga was brought down to Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, she is known here as Gautami. She is also known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama to releive of his sins.

Triambaka and brought along Ganga. Since Ganga was brought down to Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, she is known here as Gautami. It is also known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama to releive of his sins.

Interesting things to do:

Kushavarta:
The place from where river Godavari takes its course is another highlight at Trimbakeshwar. It is believed a dip in this sacred river washes away the sins. The sage Gautam committed a sin of killing a cow and by taking bath in this holy river; he was relieved off his sin.

Brahmagiri Mountain:
It is a major landmark in Trimbakeshwar. The mountain can be reached by 500 stairs that was built by Seth Lalchand Jashodanand Bhambhani of Karachi and Seth Ganeshdas.

Interesting things to Visit:

Trimbakeshwar temple:
This temple situated in Trimbak, 30 km West of Nasik, contains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (naturally occuring Lingas) in India. The temple has beautiful carvings. There is a belief that anybody who visits Trimbakeshwar attains salvation. It is considered to be the holiest place to perform Shraddha ceremony as mentioned in 'Nirnaya Sindhu' - a religious book of Hindus.Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple but one can get a clear view from outside.

Sundarnarayan Temple:
Sundarnarayan temple stands on the elevated west bank of the Godavari. There are small carvings of Hanuman, Narayana and Indra on the walls. This Vaishavite temple has three black Vishnu images. The hall is entered through three porches, some damaged, each with balcony seating, lobed arches and slightly bulbous domes. The doorways inside the porches are headed by angled eaves and serpentine pediments.

Kumbh Mela:
The Kumbh Mela, purportedly the largest religious gathering of on earth, attracting a huge crowd of devotees, alternates between Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The one celebrated at Allahabad is the largest and holiest of them. The Mela is noted for the huge number of Hindu holy men, especially the naked sadhus it attracts.

Kalaram Mandir:
This simple, large temple was built in 1782 by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa. The idol of lord Ram here, is of black colour, hence the name Kala Ram Mandir. The building stands in the middle of a walled enclosure with 96 pillars and entered on the east through an arched portal. The temple is made of black stones, and has a 25 m high 'Sikhara'. The stones were brought from Ramshej 200 years ago. There are great processions and festivities during Ramnavami, Dushera and Chaitra Padwa.
Nearby is the Sita Gupha cave where Sita, wife of Rama is said to have hidden from the Demon Ravana. There is a grove of large Banyan trees near the cave.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Nasik.
Nearest Airport: Nasik, 39 km has an airport
Road Transport:Regular state road transport buses ply between Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.

Nearest Visiting places:

Kolleru lake:
One of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia and habitat for up to 50,000 resident and migratory birds, is located partially within the district. The temples in Bhimavaram (Bhimarama) and Palakol (KsheeraRama), part of Pancharama temples, are piligrim centres in West Godavari. Bhimavaram is also well known for prawn feed centres and considered to be commercial capital of west godavari.

Antarvedi (East Godavari District):
It is famous for the temple of Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy, built during the 15th -16th centuries. Antarvedi is located 10 km from Narsapuram, at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and Godavari River. The experience of the trip from Narsapuram to Antarvedi by a steamer boat during rainy season when the river is flooded with water is memorable.

Perupalem Beach:
It is a famous beach in the district situated 18 kms from Narsapuram& 20 kms from bhimavaram. In the November & December lacs of people visit this place. Here, Velankani Mata temple a big church is there.

Pattiseema near by Kovvur is also famous tourist attraction centre. Here god shiva is famous.

Dwaraka Tirumala near by Eluru is a famous pilgrimage centre of Balaji Venkateswara Swamy.

Ksheeraramalingeswara Swamy Temple in the town of Palakol is one of the kshetra lingas.

Rice Research Centre in the village of Maruteru or Martair is well known for its research work in developing new and improved varieties of paddy. The Lord Venkateswara temple located in the village of Maruteru is also known as Aabothu ( Bull ) Tirupathi.

Penugonda is a famous pilgrimage center of Sri Vasavi Kanyakaparameswari Temple.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Nasik.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

1.Annapurna Hotel,Midc 16, Trimbak Road, Satpur, Nasik - 422007
2.Aziz Lodge,60, Feet Road, Opp Mantri Hospital Ganjmal, Nasik - 422011
3.Badshahi Gujrat Lodge,1119-A, Bhadrakali Market, Opposite Damodhar Theatre, Nasik - 422001

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station: 100

Nearest Hospital:

1.Yash Hospital,Walghade Arcade, Panchavati, Nashik - 422003
2.Gaikwad Children Hospital,MumbaiAgra Road, Govind Nagar, Nashik - 422009
3.Shivom Hospital,Indira Nagar, Nashik - 422009

Society/Community Phone Number