Bhagiratha And Goddess Ganga

Once, Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Brahma to bring the river Ganges down to earth to purify the souls of his ancestors and help them to attain nirvana!

Lord Brahma asked Bhagiratha to propitiate Shiva, for only he could break Ganga's landfall otherwise the entire earth would be destroyed by Ganga's speed.

 Ganga flew down to earth but Shiva calmly trapped her back in his matted locks and let her out in seven streams; Bhagirathi, Janhvi, Bhilangana, Mandakini, Rishiganga, Saraswati, and Alaknanda.

 She then followed Bhagiratha, who lead her to his ancestors and with her purity, released their souls.