Overview
The Ganges, known as Ganga in India, is one of the most important rivers in South Asia, flowing about 2,525 kilometers from the western Himalayas across northern India and into Bangladesh, where it joins the Brahmaputra and eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal through the world's largest delta.
Geography and Physical Features
The river begins at the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and descends through the Indo-Gangetic Plain, one of the most fertile and densely populated regions on Earth. Major tributaries include the Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi. The Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta covers approximately 105,000 square kilometers.
Significance
The Ganges is sacred to Hindus, who consider its waters purifying. Cities along its banks, including Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj, are major pilgrimage centers. The river basin supports over 400 million people, more than any other river in the world, and is vital for irrigation, drinking water, and cultural life.
Notable Facts
The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj, is the largest religious gathering on Earth, drawing tens of millions of pilgrims. The endangered Ganges river dolphin is one of only a few freshwater dolphin species in the world.