It was also known as Bhaageerathi, Jaahnavi,Mandaakini etc. It was this Ganga that was cursed by Brahma to become a human for the folly of falling for a mortal king Mahaabhisha. Mahaabhisha was also cursed similarly for his unseemly behaviour with Ganga in Brahma's place and was born as Shanthanu. Ganga married Shanthanu and gave birth to eight sons seven of whom were drowned in the river by her soon after their birth and the last one being the celebrated Devavratha or Bheesma or Gaangeya who later became to be known as the grandsire of the great kourava dynasty. When she learnt that Arjuna was instrumental in the fall of Bheeshma, she was angry and cursed that Arjuna shall be killed by his own son. Accordingly, Arjuna waa later killed by his son Babhruvaahana and was revived by Uloochi (Arjuna's wife).
In the end, Yudhishthira bathed in this divine Ganga to shed off his mortal feelings and bonds.
The reverence and popularity of this river are beyond measure. Even today, water of the river ganga are used for all sacred occasions. In fact, in our native language Thelugu, the word ganga means water, verily.
In our country, it is everybody's wish to take a dip in this river, at least once in his lifetime. In our Thelugu culture, it is customery to addres respectable widows as 'Thou equal to Ganga or bhaageeratho'. It is sad to note that such a sacredly revered river is highly polluted now. The great governments and their administers do not pay for its conservation, at least as much interest shown in protecting the tombs of foreign invaders !