Ganga (goddess)

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Ganga (Sanskrit: गङ्गा, IAST: Gaṅgā) is the personification of the river Ganges, who is worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of purification and forgiveness. She is often depicted as a fair, beautiful ornate woman, riding a divine crocodile-like creature called the makara. Ganga's mythology and religious significance developed in post-Vedic era, featured in texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas. In Hindu mythology, Ganga is generally described as originating from the feet of the preserver deity Vishnu. However, according to some scriptures, including the Ramayana, she is the firstborn daughter of Himavat (the personification of the Himalayas) and the elder sister of the goddess Parvati. Originally, Ganga resided in the heavens under the watch of the creator god Brahma. Her most famous story is her descent to Earth, which was granted as a boon to the royal sage Bhagiratha so that she could purify the souls of his ancestors. This descent was facilitated by the god Shiva...

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