ALAKANANDĀ River Gaṅgā of devaloka. The river gaṅgā of the earth when it flows through devaloka is called Alakanandā and is called Vaitaraṇī when it flows through Pitṛloka (nether world). Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana (Vyāsa) declares that Deva Gaṅgā with crystal pure water flowing in devaloka under the name Alakanandā and Vaitaraṇī of the nether world, a terror to sinners, are the same as the Gaṅgā of the earth. (Ślokas 21 and 22, Chapter 170, Bhāṣā Bhārata, A.P.). Starting from Viṣṇupāda Alakanandā flows through Devayāna which blazes with the splendour of a crore of beautiful many-storeyed buildings. Flowing from there to Candramaṇḍala (moon) and flooding it completely flows down to Brahmaloka. From there it divides into four rivulets and flows to the four different sides with the names Sītā, Cakṣus, Alakanandā and Bhadrā. Of these Sītā falls on the thickly wooded mountain tops of Mahāmeru and flowing from there through Gandhamādana by the side of Bhadrāśvavarṣa falls down in the eastern ocean. Cakṣus falls on the top of Mālyavān mountain and flowing through Ketumāla falls down in the western ocean. The most sacred of the group, Alakanandā, falls on the mountain of Hemakūṭa and from there flows through Bhāratavarṣa and falls down in the southern ocean. The fourth, Bhadrā, falling on the top of the Mountain, Sṛṅgavān flows to the northern ocean. Of these the most sacred is Alakanandā which flows through Bhāratavarṣa and it is believed that even those who think of taking a bath in that will acquire the benefit of performing yāgas like Aśvamedha and Rājasūya.
[Eighth Skandha of Śrī Mahādevībhāgavata] .