The Ganga, or Ganges River, holds immense cultural, spiritual, and economic significance in India. Here are 10 facts about the iconic river Ganges.
1. National River
Former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh designated the Ganga as India's National river in 2008.
2. Origin
The Ganges originates from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, at an elevation of about 3,892 meters.
3. The Longest in India
The Ganga flows over a vast distance of 2,525 kilometers (1,569 miles), beginning from the icy peaks of the Himalayas and winding its way through the plains of northern India
4. Journey to Bay of Bengal
When the Ganges crosses into Bangladesh, it changes its name to the Padma River, continuing its journey before merging with the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
5. Pilgrimage Sites
Several important pilgrimage sites are situated along the Ganges, including Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Prayagraj.
6. Ganga and Wildlife
The river is home to 140 Spices of fish, 90 spices of amphibians, the critically endangered gharial, and the Gangas river dolphin
7. Ganga Basin
The Ganga Basin covers 11 states - Uttarakhand, U.P,M.P,Rajasthan, Haryana,Himachal Pradesh , Chhattisgarh, Jharkand, Bihar,West bengal and Delhi.
8. World's Largest delta
The river eventually discharges into the Bay of Bengal, Forming the world's largest delta,the Sundarbans
9. Economic importance
The ganges is a vital water source for agricultural, supporting the livelihoods of ,millions of farmers in the fertile Indo Gangetic Plain.
10. Major Tributaries
The Ganges has numerous tributes, with major ones including the Yamuna, son, Ghaghara,Gandak, and Kosi rivers.