Akashaganga River
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Akashaganga (आकाशगंगा नदी) is a River mentioned in Mahabharata.
Variants
- Akash Ganga (आकाश गंगा)
- Akashaganga (आकाशगंगा)
- Akashaganga River आकाशगंगा नदी (AS, p.59)
- Akasa Ganga
Origin
Various definitions
- Ākāśagaṅgā (आकाशगङ्गा).—(River) that encircles Amarāvatī; that water which comes down without the cloud; bath in this is called celestial ablution.[1]
- Ākāśagaṅgā (आकाशगङ्गा) refers to the “heavenly Ganges” according to the Kālikāpurāṇa chapter 76.—Accordingly, Śiva, the Lord (Bhagavat), has instructed Bhairava and Vetāla in the use of certain mantras. Then he says to them:—“(Now you two) go to the inner sacred seat (antaḥpīṭha) of Kāmarūpa called Nīlācala. This is the secret abode of the (the goddess) Kāmākhyā called the sacred seat of Kubjikā; there the heavenly Ganges (flows) (ākāśagaṅgā). (Bathe there and) sprinkle (yourselves) with its waters, O sons: worship there Mahāmāyā who is the universe. Pleased, the goddess will quickly bestow (her) boons on you. [...]”.[2][3]
- Akasaganga - The river that flows southward from the Anotatta Lake receives, in its different stages, various names. That part of it which flows sixty leagues through the air is called Akasaganga (SnA.ii.439; MA.586, etc.). The Buddhas discourse on various topics (pakinnakakatha) is like the downward flow of the Akasaganga (AA.i.94; DhA.iii.360); so also is the eloquence of clever preachers (E.g., DhA.iv.18; J.ii.65).[4]
- The fine clay to be found in the area (thirty yojanas in extent) over which the Akasaganga falls to earth, is called, on account of its fineness, butter clay (navanita mattika). This clay was brought by arahant samaneras to be spread over the foundation of the Maha Thupa in Anuradhapura (Mhv.xxix.5f). The spot where it is found is called Tintasisakola. MT.515[5]
- Akasaganga - A vast channel built by Parakkamabahu I. to bring water from the Karaganga to the Parakkamammudda. Cv.lxxix.25.[6]
History
The blissful waterfalls of Akasa Ganga is one of the most sacred waterfronts in India and lies at the foothills of Venkatadri Tirumala. Visited by everyone who comes to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of the city, the waterfall provides water for the Lord's bath as well. The place has been mentioned in the Vedas and it is believed that the falls originated from the holy feet of Lord Venkateshwara. It is said that in the earlier days, the priests of the temple carried water from here to the temple in the wee hours of the morning. This custom is still in play but restricted to special occasions only. Lately, water lines were laid into the temple to carry water from the Akasa Ganga.
Devotees come to this waterfalls to bathe as they believe that their sins are washed away when they take a dip in the holy water. Another belief says that if childless parents tie a cradle to a tree near the falls, they will conceive shortly. Rainy season is the best time to visit as the place comes alive with fresh green beauty and gushing waters.[7]
आकाशगंगा
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[8] ने लेख किया है ...आकाशगंगा नदी (AS, p.59) का बदरिकाश्रम के निकट उल्लेख है-- 'आकाशगंगा प्रयता: पांडवास्तेऽभ्यवादयन्' महाभारत, वनपर्व 142,11 जिससे यह गंगा नदी की अलकनंदा नाम की शाखा जान पड़ती है। पौराणिक किंवदंती में गंगा को आकाश मार्ग से जाने वाली नदी माना जाता था। (दे. त्रिपथगा) बदरिकाश्रम के निकट, महाभारत में, जिस वैहायसह्रद का उल्लेख है वह आकाशगंगा या अलकंनदा का ही स्रोत जान पड़ता है--'यत्र साबदरी रम्या ह्रदोवैहायसस्तथा' शांतिपर्व, 127, 3
External links
References
- ↑ https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/akashaganga
- ↑ Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram
- ↑ https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/akashaganga
- ↑ Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names
- ↑ https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/akashaganga
- ↑ Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names
- ↑ https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en/destinations/tirupati/akasa-ganga.html
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.59
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