Sacred river · Maharashtra · Telangana · Andhra Pradesh · Chhattisgarh · Odisha
Godavari (गोदावरी)
गोदावरी
Presiding goddess: Goddess Godavari (Gautami)
Origin
Brahmagiri Hills, Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra (1,067 m)
Mouth
Bay of Bengal (Konaseema Delta, Andhra Pradesh)
Length
1,465 km
Best pilgrim season
Simhastha Kumbh (next 2027 at Nashik); Pushkaram every 12 years
Sacred ghats
Major tirthas on this river
Legend & origin story
Sage Gautama, accused of go-hatya (killing a cow) by sages jealous of his prosperity, performed severe penance to Shiva who released Ganga from his locks at Brahmagiri — she became known as Gautami Ganga or Godavari in his honour. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent their forest exile at Panchavati on her banks; Lakshmana cut Surpanakha’s nose at Tapovan; Sita was abducted from here by Ravana.
Spiritual significance
Called Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South) — every twelve years she hosts Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik–Trimbakeshwar when Jupiter enters Leo. Bathing during Pushkaram (twelve-yearly festival) is held to liberate twenty-one generations of ancestors. The river’s most sacred bend at Bhadrachalam is where Rama drew the Lakshmana Rekha — pilgrims today still mark its memory there.