Long ago, in the village of Shigli Gadag, Karnataka, over 800 farming families lived under the guidance of a benevolent village chief. To support his people and their livestock, he constructed a large pond, ensuring water supply for the entire village.

However, a devastating drought struck the region, lasting for three years. The pond in Gadag dried up completely, leaving farmers and cattle on the brink of disaster.

In search of a solution, the village chief gathered the village sarpanch and elders for a crucial meeting. After much discussion, they sought divine intervention at the Lakshmi temple. The temple priest, after performing sacred rituals, delivered a startling prophecy:

“For the pond in Shigli Gadag to be restored and never run dry again, a woman from the chief’s family must sacrifice her life.”

Fear and sorrow spread among the villagers. Could such a great sacrifice truly bring salvation? The village chief, torn between duty and love, appealed to the women in his family, but none agreed — until a young, courageous woman stepped forward.

Her name was Bhagirathi, the chief’s younger sister-in-law. With unwavering devotion and selflessness, she chose to give her life for the wellbeing of the village. On a full moon night, after an elaborate ritual, Bhagirathi sacrificed herself in the pond of Shigli Gadag in Karnataka.

That very night, thunder roared in the village, and the skies opened up with torrential rain. By morning, the once-barren Bhagirathi Pond was overflowing with water. Since that day, the Bhagirathi Lake has never dried up again.

In honor of her extraordinary sacrifice, the villagers named the pond in Karnataka after Bhagirathi.

A Folktale sourced from Books Ameya.

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