India’s ‘cursed’ Karmnasha River: A mythological secret that people are afraid of touching even today!

In India, rivers are considered sacred, rivers like Ganga are called Jeevandayini. But do you know that there is a river in our country which is called “cursed” or “cursed”? This is the Karmnasha River, whose name means “destroyer of karma” (who destroys good deeds). You may be surprised to hear this, but far away from touching the water of this river, people do not use it to drink. Let’s know what is the history of this unique and mysterious river and the mythology behind it.

Where is the river Karmnasha and why is it so famous?

The Karmnasha River flows through Uttar Pradesh in India (mainly Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli districts) and Bihar (Buxar, Rohtas and Kaimur districts). Finally it meets the holy Ganges river, and it is surprising that this river maintains its ‘cursed’ existence despite meeting in the Ganges. People living on the banks of this river also buy all their water from outside because they believe that all their good deeds and virtues are destroyed by touching the water of this river.

Mythology of Karmnasha being cursed:

There is an ancient and famous mythological story associated with this river that belongs to Satyavadi king Harishchandra and Rishi Vishwamitra.

According to the legend:

• In ancient times, King Harishchandra became, who was known for his integrity and charity.

• Once, the great sage Vishwamitra decided to test the truth of King Harishchandra. He took all his Rajpat and money from Harishchandra, and even had to sell his wife and son. Harishchandra accepted every condition and started working as a watchman at a cremation ghat himself.

• When the sage Vishwamitra saw the honesty of this culmination of Harishchandra, he was filled with anger and wanted to hurt him with the power of his anger and harsh penance. It is said that this river was formed with sweat/saliva/blood drops arising out of the anger of sage Vishwamitra.

• Then the sage Vishwamitra cursed that whoever touches the water of this river, all its good deeds, virtues and happiness will be destroyed.

Due to this curse, this river was known as Karmnasha and since then this belief has remained in the people. There are also stories in history that the armies or traders used to cross their goods and animals before crossing this river so that they would not come in contact with its water. Even today, even in the scientific era, people around this river follow its story and avoid using its water. This story shows how mythology and beliefs affect people’s life and culture for centuries.