Invisible Yet Incredible Sarasvati

Sarasvati… A river that flows in our faith. And, in our hearts.

Venerated as the Goddess of knowledge in Hinduism, river Sarasvati is one of the tributaries of sacred Ganga at the Prayagraj Triveni Sangam. But remains invisible. Believed to be flowing below ground.

A mystical river. Researchers have been intrigued to trace the footprints of Vedic Sarasvati. Me too. My epic journey on foot had begun with the Atulya Ganga Parikrama ceremony at Prayagraj Sangam, the holiest confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati.

In the Himalayas, Sarasvati is visible at Mana village in Uttarakhand. River falls with a thunderous sound and flows under Bhimpul. Belief is that Bhimpul was built by Bhim, one of the Pandavas, for Draupadi when she found crossing the river difficult during their journey to heaven. I had walked over this bridge on the way to Vasudhara falls trek. I visited Keshav Prayag too, the confluence of Sarasvati and Alaknanda at Mana, a short distance from Bhimpul . It is believed that Vedic river Sarasvati continues flowing underground after meeting Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag. Also believed, Sarasvati disappeared on surface due to a curse of saint Vyas as he got disturbed by the roaring sound of the river.

According to geological and glaciological studies, Sarasvati originated from the Banderpunch massif in the Himalayas. River flows through the Shivalik mountains and enters the plains at Adi Badri. After being aware of new findings on the Vedic river Sarasvati, I made a journey to Adi Badri, a site of archaeological, ecological and religious significance in the forest area of Shivalik range in Haryana. One thing that surprised me pleasantly in Adi Badri was the prevalence of dense forest. Whole area was well preserved, clean and unpolluted.

My visit to Adi Badri coincided with the yearly Kartik Purnima Mela marked with five days cultural and religious festivities in Adi Badri and Kapal Mochan. I cherished each moment of being in the grand festival while exploring the new abode of Vedic Sarasvati.

There is mythology. And the folklore. Our beliefs set the traditions.