India is a place where all rivers are worshipped. From the Ganges to any small river, we have some sort of mythological story related to our history or the Vedas. There is also a river in India which is believed to be cursed, and thus people feel getting in touch with that river water may ruin their plans. It is the river named “karmanasa river”.
Karmanasa river means “destroyer of the religious merit“. People living on the banks of this river also do not use this water. They avoid cooking food because it may require water. Thus people living here live eating fruits.
Origin and History of Karmanasa
This cursed river has many legends relating to its origin. According to one of the legend, once Sage Vishvamitra through his penance had got the power of making a new universe according to his wish. Thus, he created this whole new universe and then created his first human being named Trishanku.
Trishanku was made to rule the entire world raised by the sage. But Lord Indra could not see this. Thus he started to stop it all. This resulted in Trishanku’s suspended head down in mid-air. And, the saliva dripping from his mouth gave birth to the river Karmanasa.
Course and Tributaries
Coming to the actual origin of the cursed river, this river originates at the height of 350 meters on the northern face of Kaimur Range near Sarodag in the Kaimur district of Bihar. The river is the tributary of the Ganges. Flowing in a northwesterly direction the river forms the boundary between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The left side of the river covers the districts of Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Varanasi, and Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. The right side flows in the districts of Kaimur and Buxar in Bihar. It finally joins the Ganges near Chausa. The river length around 192 kilometres. The tributaries of the river are the Durgavati, the Chandraprabha, the Karunuti, the Nadi and the Khajuri.
Thus, this river serves as a part of mythology which is unnoticed by most of us. Believing this river as the cursed river is up to one’s perception and attitude.
Read also: Why was Somnath temple demolished and reconstructed 17 times?
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