Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c7.35

v1.c7.35

Worship is also offered to holy rivers like the Ganges, the Gōdāvari, the Kāvēri, etc. The Ganges is considered to be holy throughout the year; even in the case of this river, certain specific places along her course and certain times in the year are held to be very sacred; and bathing in the river in those times and places and doing *pūja* to her is esteemed very meritorious. Various other rivers and even certain tanks are considered holy during particular periods and on special occasions; for instance, the river Kāvēri in South India is especially worshipped in the month of Tulā (October-November), and pilgrims from various parts of India go to Talakāvēri, Śrīraṅgam and Saṅghamukha, which are holy places situated at the source, the middle and the end respectively of the river Kāvēri. In a similar manner, a large sacred tank at Kumbhakōṇam, generally held in very great veneration, is considered to become specially sacred on the occasion of the *Makha-nakshatra* in the month of Māgha once in twelve years; and this occasion is celebrated as the Mahāmakha. The various *mēlas* in North India in relation to sacred rivers and tanks correspond to the things described above.