Shiva Curses the Ganga

Lord Shiva the power, the destroyer, the strength, when river Ganga descended on earth, only shiva could hold her. She was so powerful but shiva held her on his head, years passed by, centuries passed by.

Ganga kept flowing, crossed boundaries, sometimes flooded, sometimes calm, her glory increased. One day Lord Shiva set out on a tour of India, to know what was going around, he decided to travel in the waters of Ganga and asked her permission.

'Oh Ganga, it's been long I have checked on my people, can I travel in your waters and visit my people'

Shiva trusted Ganga and thought she would never deny, in fact, she would be happy to travel with Shiva.

' I am sorry Lord, I cannot let you travel in my waters, you have given me shelter but I am helpless, I have no other option but to say no, Please forgive me'

Listening to this, Shiva got angry and cursed Ganga that how much ever she tried she would not flow anymore.

Months passed by, the waters of Ganga dried up, people began to die due to lack of water. All the gods complained to Shiva to request Ganga to return.

Shiva for the sake of his people went to Ganga and asked her 'I will take back my curse only if you tell me the real reason behind not allowing me to travel in your waters.'

'Oh lord, how do I tell you, I am so ashamed, I am polluted, If I could have let you travel along with me, you will have encountered dirt, industrial pollutants, sewage water, all along. Now that I have dried up, people have started to realise my importance but yet no measures are taken to protect me. Lord, I am sorry'

Shiva felt sad listening to this and he removed the curse. Shiva blessed Ganga with a boon" Whenever you feel that people start taking you for granted, you can bring floods or famine as per your wish"