River Cauvery – the Goddess who wished to provide her services to mankind forever!
River Cauvery (or Kaveri) originates in the Brahmagiri hills near Bhagamandala in the Coorg district. A small pond where she first bubbles up is worshiped and devotees can take a dip at the source pond there. The idol of sage Agastya is also present in the temple, along with Lord Ganesha.
What is the story behind Goddess Cauvery and Agastya muni?
Here is the history…
There was once a King called Kavera who prayed to Lord Brahma for a child. Brahma was pleased with his prayers and a daughter Lopamudra was born to Kavera. Lopamudra always craved to serve the humanity since a child.
After a few years, sage Agastya saw Lopamudra and asked her if she could marry him. She agreed on one condition – that he would never leave her alone – or else she would go away from him. He agreed and they were married.
One day, the sage had to go somewhere and due to unavoidable circumstances, he turned Lopamudra into water and stored her in his kamandala (pot). As per the condition, since she was left alone. Since she always wanted to serve humanity, she requested Lord Ganesha for help. He came in the form of a crow and toppled the pot. Lopamudra – as Kaveri (daughter of Kavera) - flowed out of the pot and left. The sage’s disciples tried to stop her, but she went underground for a certain distance such that she cannot be stopped and then came up again at Bhagamandala and continued. Later, sage Agastya returned and found that his wife had left and could no longer be stopped.
Cauvery continues to serve humanity and is worshiped for her divine presence. It is said that once a year river Goddess Ganga, carrying all the sins of her devotees, comes underground for a cleansing dip to Cauvery.
The hills where Cauvery orginates is called Brahmagiri hills as Lopamudra was created by Lord Brahma. You can also see that river Cauvery originates at Talacauvery but after flowing for a short distance, still goes underground to come back at Bhagamandala - as mentioned in the story.
