Ganga, the daughter of King Himavat and Queen Menawati, is the firstborn. She is the elder sister of Parvati. She was given to Indra, the King of Heaven, to flow there and make the people of Swarga pure. Ganga is the pious river and goddess in the three worlds: Heaven, Earth, and Brahma Lok.
It is believed that when Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatar, a dwarf, to teach a lesson to King Bali, he stretched his second step to cover the heaven and universe. Then, his toenail pierced a hole in the sky wall, Garbhodakasayi Ocean, and the material world. Water flew from that hole. And this water is known as the Ganga. She, as water, touched the feet of Vamana and became Vishnupadi or Bhagavat-Padi.
Isn’t the story interesting?
Why not read the whole story about Ganga and her legend with Lord Shiva at Vedic Story or Medium.
Enjoy!