GANGA RIVER SYSTEM

PRERNA FOR IAS

GANGA RIVER SYSTEM

1. Origin of the Ganga River

The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas. The river initially emerges as the Bhagirathi River from a place called Gaumukh, which means “cow’s mouth.” At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda River, and from this confluence onward, it is known as the Ganga. The river is fed by snow and glacier melt, making it a perennial river that flows throughout the year. The origin of the Ganga holds immense religious significance in Hinduism and marks the beginning of one of India’s most important river systems.

2. Course of the Ganga River

The Ganga River travels approximately 2,525 kilometers from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. It flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. Along its course, it passes through important cities such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata. The river receives water from numerous tributaries and forms one of the largest river basins in the world. Its journey supports agriculture, transportation, industry, and cultural activities. Finally, the Ganga forms a vast delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

3. Key Facts About the Ganga

The Ganga is India’s most sacred river and is often called the lifeline of northern India. It is a perennial river because it receives water from glaciers, snowmelt, and rainfall throughout the year. The river supports millions of people by providing water for drinking, irrigation, industry, and transportation. It plays a crucial role in agriculture across the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain. In Hin