Ganga
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The Ganga (/ ˈ ɡ æ n dʒ iː z / GAN-jeez; in India: Ganga, / ˈ ɡ ʌ ŋ ɡ ɑː / GUNG-ah; in Bangladesh: Padma, / ˈ p ʌ d m ə / PUD-mə) is a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. The 2,525 km (1,569 mi) river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
- Overview
- Physiography
The Ganges rises in the southern Great Himalayas, and its five headstreams—the Bhagirathi, the Alaknanda, the Mandakini, the Dhauliganga, and the Pindar—all rise in the mountainous region of northern Uttarakhand state. The two main headstreams are the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi.
Where does the Ganges River end?
The Ganges River, which is 1,560 miles (2,510 km) long and drains one-fourth of the territory of India, ends in the Ganges, or Ganges-Brahmaputra, delta and empties into the Bay of Bengal.
Why is the Ganges River considered holy in Hinduism?
The Ganges has been revered from the earliest times and today is regarded as the holiest of rivers by Hindus. Places of Hindu pilgrimage, called tirthas, that are situated on the Ganges have particular significance. Hindus cast the ashes of their dead into the river, believing that this gives the deceased direct passage to heaven, and cremation temples have been built in many places on the banks of the Ganges.
What are the main causes of pollution in the Ganges River?
The Ganges rises in the southern Great Himalayas on the Indian side of the border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Its five headstreams—the Bhagirathi, the Alaknanda, the Mandakini, the Dhauliganga, and the Pindar—all rise in the mountainous region of northern Uttarakhand state. Of those, the two main headstreams are the Alaknanda (the longer of the two), which rises about 30 miles (50 km) north of the Himalayan peak of Nanda Devi, and the Bhagirathi, which originates at about 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) above sea level in a subglacial meltwater cave at the base of the Himalayan glacier known as Gangotri. Gangotri itself is a sacred place for Hindu pilgrimage. The true source of the Ganges, however, is considered to be at Gaumukh, about 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Gangotri.
Britannica Quiz
Water and its Varying Forms
The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers unite at Devaprayag to form the main stream known as the Ganga, which cuts southwestward through the Siwalik Range (Outer Himalayas) at the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain to emerge from the mountains at Rishikesh. It then flows onto the plain at Haridwar, another place held sacred by Hindus.
The volume of the Ganges increases markedly as it receives more tributaries and enters a region of heavier rainfall, and it shows a marked seasonal variation in flow. From April to June the melting Himalayan snows feed the river, and in the rainy season, from July to September, the rain-bearing monsoons cause floods. During winter the river’s flow declines. South of Haridwar, now within the state of Uttar Pradesh, the river receives its two principal right-bank tributaries: the Yamuna River, which flows through the Delhi capital region and then roughly parallels the southeastward flow of the Ganges before joining it near Prayagraj (Allahabad), and the Tons, which flows north from the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh state and joins the Ganges just below Prayagraj. The main left-bank tributaries in Uttar Pradesh are the Ramganga, the Gomati, and the Ghaghara.
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Ganga (Sanskrit: गङ्गा, IAST: Gaṅgā) is the personification of the river Ganges, who is worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of purification and forgiveness. Known by many names, Ganga is often depicted as a fair, beautiful woman, riding a divine crocodile-like creature called the makara.
A giver of life to the most diverse ecosystems, watch 'Ganga: River from the Skies', 30th April, 10 AM, on National Geographic. #NatGeoIndia @NamamiGange .
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- National Geographic India
Jun 14, 2018 · Learn about the Ganges, the longest and most sacred river in India, and its origin, religious and economic importance, and environmental challenges. Find out how the Ganges is a symbol of faith, culture, and life for millions of Hindus.
May 27, 2015 · The River Ganges, also known as the Ganga, flows 2,700 km from the Himalaya mountains to the Bay of Bengal in northern India and Bangladesh. Regarded as sacred by Hindus, the river is personified as...
Oct 19, 2023 · Learn about the Ganges River, a sacred body of water to Hindus that originates in the Himalayas and flows through northern India. Explore the geography, history, culture, and challenges of the Ganges River Basin, one of the most populous and fertile regions on the planet.
