The Ganga River holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for the people of India. It is considered a goddess, Ganga Mata, by Hindus, and is worshipped as a purifier and bestower of spiritual blessings. The river is associated with various Hindu legends and epics, including the story of its descent to Earth through Lord Shiva's hair.
The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayas. It flows through the northern plains of India, passing through several states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh and eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Throughout its course, the Ganga River is a lifeline for millions of people, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes. However, the river faces numerous challenges, including pollution, industrial waste, and over-extraction of water, which have resulted in significant environmental concerns.
Efforts have been made by the Indian government and various organizations to clean and restore the Ganga River through initiatives like the Namami Gange program. This program aims to address the pollution issues and promote sustainable management of the river, including the treatment of sewage and industrial waste.
The Ganga River has also been a focal point for pilgrimage and religious ceremonies. The city of Varanasi, situated on the banks of the river, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is considered a holy site for Hindus. Thousands of pilgrims visit Varanasi every year to bathe in the Ganga and perform rituals.
Overall, the Ganga River holds great cultural, religious, and ecological significance, playing a vital role in the lives of millions of people in India and Bangladesh. Efforts to preserve and restore its health are crucial for the well-being of both human communities and the river's diverse ecosystem.
The Ganga river originates as Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
Alaknanda River joins Bhagirathi at Devaprayag. From Devapryag the river is called as Ganga.The river enters into plain area from the hills at Haridwar. It is joined by the Yamuna at Allahabad.At Farraka, it bifurcates into Bhagirathi-Hugli in West Bengal and Padma-Meghna in Bangladesh (it ceases to be known as the Ganga after Farraka).Before entering the Bay of Bengal, the Ganga, along with the Brahmaputra, forms the largest delta of the world. The Ganges is the longest river in India if we consider the total distance covered by a river within India. The total length of the Ganga river from its source to its mouth is 2,525 km.
Important Tributaries
Left bank : Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda.
Right bank : Son, Yamuna, Chambal, Banas, Sind, Ken and Betwa.
The river is home to the endangered Ganga river- dolphin.
Ganga River (Other Infos)
The National River of India Ganga flows through India and Bangladesh.The river flows through the Himalayas, Gangetic plains and empties into the Bay of Bengal.Many sacred places are located alongside the stretches of Ganga river:
• Gangotri
• Haridwar
• Prayagraj
• Varanasi
• Kali Ghat
Ganga is also mentioned in one of the four Vedas – Rigveda.
Important species find their habitat in the Ganga river:
• Gharial
• National Aquatic Animal of India – Gangetic River Dolphin
The five confluences of Ganga river are revered as sacred and they are:
• Vishnuprayag – Dhauliganga joins the Alaknanda;
• Nandprayag – River Mandakini joins;
• Karnaprayag – River Pindar joins;
• Rudraprayag – River Mandakini joins;
• Devprayag – Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river form Ganga river.
Ghagra river is the largest tributary of river Ganga with respect to the volume of the river.
Posts
0 Comments