Gangavataran is based on the tales of the
Puranas, a genre of important
Hindu,
Jain and
Buddhist religious texts. The film used special effects to show mythological miracles and fantasy scenes, credited to
Babaraya Phalke, son of Dadasaheb.
Gangavataran depicted the
Hindu deity Shiva, and the divine sage from the
Vaisnava tradition,
Narada, played by
Bandopant Dattatray Chitnis from Vadgaon Haveli, Karad and
Suresh Pardesi respectively. The film tells the Hindu mythical story of
river Ganges's descent to earth. For absolution of his ancestor's sins
Bhagiratha vows to bring the heavenly river (Ganga) to the Earth. Pleased with his
tapasya,
Lord Brahma agrees on sending Ganga. But He asks Bhagiratha to pursue Lord Shiva, as only Shiva could break Ganga's fall. Proud with her heavenly presence, Ganga agreed to descend only because of Brahma's orders. Her pride made her believe that her fall would only destroy the Earth. But then Shiva trapped her tight in His hair and only let her go when she asked for forgiveness. Her gentle flow after release then absolved Bhagiratha's ancestors. ==Production==