According to Vedic scriptures, in the Satya Yuga, there lived a king named Sagara, ruler of Oudh and the 13th ancestor of Lord Ramachandra. He performed the Ashwamedha Yajna, a holy horse-sacrifice, 99 times. This ceremony involved sending a horse, symbolizing the king's power, around the world, challenging everyone to arrest its progress. If the horse returned unopposed, it was seen as acceptance of the king's supremacy.
As King Sagara prepared for the 100th sacrifice, Indra, the king of Heaven, who had himself performed the ceremony 100 times, became jealous and stole the horse. He hid it in a subterranean cell, where Sage Kapila (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) was absorbed in meditation, oblivious to the outside world.
Sagara’s 60,000 sons searched far and wide for the stolen horse. Eventually, they found it near the sage's ashram. Mistakenly believing the sage to be the thief, they assaulted him. Upon being aroused, the sage opened his eyes, understood the situation, and cursed the assailants, who were immediately burnt to ashes and condemned to hell.
When King Sagara heard of this, he approached the sage and pleaded for mercy. Initially, the sage ignored his plea but later revealed that the princes would attain enlightenment if their ashes were washed by the holy waters of the heavenly river Ganges.
For two generations, attempts were made to bring the Ganges down to earth from the celestial regions, but all efforts proved futile. Finally, a prince of this dynasty, Bhagiratha, pleased the gods, and with the help of Lord Shiva, brought Ganga down to earth. The sins of his forefathers were washed away, and the people were given the opportunity to cleanse themselves of their sins.
Visit of Lord Balarama: According to Vedic scriptures, Lord Balarama, the eternal brother of Lord Krishna, also visited Gangasagar. His journey to this sacred site is recorded in the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.79.11). Lord Balarama's visit further sanctified the place, adding to its spiritual significance.
Visit of Lord Nityananda: In the Gaura Lila, Lord Nityananda Prabhu, a principal associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, visited Gangasagar. His visit is documented in the Sri Chaitanya Bhagavatam (Adi 9.201-202). Lord Nityananda's presence and activities in Gangasagar are celebrated by devotees, and his visit is considered a divine blessing to the holy site.
Residence of Sage Kapila: According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sage Kapila, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, still resides in Gangasagar. His presence continues to bless the area, and pilgrims visiting the site seek his divine grace and wisdom.
Gangasagar remains a place of profound spiritual significance, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. The legends and divine connections associated with this sacred site inspire devotees to seek solace, purification, and enlightenment in its holy waters.
