Story - Ganga Captured In Ear Of Sage Jhanva – Why Ganga Is Known As Jhanvi?

King Bhagiratha had brought Ganga down on to earth through intense austerities to free the souls of his ancestors. But during the journey of the river from Himalayas to Gangasagar in Bengal there were numerous difficulties. One such story is that of Ganga being captured by Sage Jhanva in his ear. Due to this incident Ganga is also known as Jhanvi.

King Bhagiratha rode his horse swiftly down the Himalayan slopes and the Holy Ganga River was following him. The ashes of his ancestors were lying at present day Gangasagar.

On the way, the king passed through the ashram of Sage Jhanva. But Ganga was about to destroy the Ashram of the sage. To avoid any trouble to his ashram and its living beings, the powerful sage calmly took her into his body through the left ear.

Soon King Bhagiratha discovered that Ganga was not following him. He then returned to the ashram of Sage Jhanva and pleaded with the sage to release the holy river.

The Sage obliged and allowed the Ganga River to come out of his right ear. As she had passed through the sage, she became the daughter of the Sage and therefore Ganga is also known as Jhanvi.

The incident is believed to have taken place at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur in Bihar. The famous Ajgaivinath Temple is located here.