gandaki pradesh named after the river gandaki. gandaki is a major river in the province. this river has important links with historical hindu civilization. the gandaki river is mentioned in the ancient sanskrit epic mahabharata. it is said that valmiki rishi (sage) wrote the great epic, "ramayana" here. it is also believed to be the birthplace of luv & kush. its evolution is described in shiva purana, kumarakhand, in the chapter of the killing of shankhachuda.