King Sagara’s sons dug up the ocean and got killed by Rishi Kapila for insulting him. The king’s grandson, Anshuman’s son, Dilipa learned about the destruction caused by his elders and wanted to make amendments. However, he couldn’t achieve the goal during his lifetime and handed over the responsibility to his son, Bhagiratha. He told his son to bring the celestial River Ganga to the earth to fill up the empty ocean.
Bhagiratha was a great emperor and a wonderful archer. When he heard about his family’s past, he was saddened and wanted to continue his father’s incomplete task. Handing over the kingdom to his advisors, he went to the Himalayas to perform strict tapasya. He survived the harsh conditions and was immersed in worshipping Ganga. After many years, Ganga visited Bhagiratha to grant him a boon.
The king asked her to descend to the earth so that the purity of her waters could wash the sins of his great-grandfathers and allow them to travel to heaven. Ganga replied that she had no objection to descending to the earth but pointed out that it would cause a lot of impact and destruction. Ganga said that no one in the three worlds except Shiva could handle her force and sustain it. He could hold her on his head (in his hair) and let only a stream of her waters trickle down to the earth.
Bhagiratha thanked Ganga and went to Mount Kailasa to pray to Shiva. After performing several austerities, Shiva graced the king with his presence and offered a boon. When asked, Shiva agreed to carry Ganga on his head.
Shiva went to the Himalayas with his followers and stood. He told Bhagiratha to ask Ganga to begin her downward journey. The king prayed to Ganga. She responded by releasing the gushing waters from heaven. The rishis, nagas, gandharvas, yakshas, and other gods also arrived to witness the spectacle. They saw the huge mass of water with fish, crocodiles, and whirlpools rushing towards the earth. However, Shiva stood in between, catching all of it in his dreadlocks and forming a well to hold them. He released a strong stream of Ganga to flow to the earth.
Ganga asked Bhagiratha to show her the way. She followed as the king walked ahead and took her where his ancestors dug up the ocean. She split into three streams as the journey progressed. The king considered the goddess his daughter as she went with him to the vast empty hole and filled it. In this process, she also washed the ashes of his great-grandfathers and cleansed their sins. Finally, they were freed and could go to heaven.
Ganga flowed on the earth and became one of the most sacred rivers in the country.