Ganga
The Most Sacred River of India
Geographical Details
Basic Information
- Source:
- Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand
- Length:
- 2,525 km
- Basin Area:
- 1,086,000 km²
- Mouth:
- Bay of Bengal
- States:
- Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
Sacred Geography
- • Gangotri: Source and sacred shrine
- • Haridwar: Gateway to the plains
- • Rishikesh: Yoga capital of the world
- • Allahabad: Confluence with Yamuna
- • Varanasi: Holiest city on Ganga
- • Ganga Sagar: Meeting with the ocean
Major Tributaries
Right Bank Tributaries
- Yamuna: The largest tributary, joins at Allahabad
- Son: Major tributary in Bihar
- Punpun: Flows through Bihar
Left Bank Tributaries
- Ramganga: Joins in Uttar Pradesh
- Gomti: Flows through Lucknow
- Gandak: Originates in Nepal
- Kosi: Known as the "Sorrow of Bihar"
Cultural & Religious Significance
In Hindu Tradition
Ganga is revered as a goddess in Hindu tradition. According to mythology, she descended from heaven to earth through the matted locks of Lord Shiva to purify the souls of King Bhagiratha's ancestors. The river is considered the most sacred, and a dip in its waters is believed to wash away sins and grant moksha (liberation).
Sacred Festivals
- • Kumbh Mela: World's largest religious gathering
- • Ganga Aarti: Daily evening prayers
- • Ganga Dussehra: Celebrates Ganga's descent
- • Kartik Purnima: Sacred bathing day
Spiritual Practices
- • Sacred Bath: Purification of sins
- • Ganga Jal: Holy water for rituals
- • Asthi Visarjan: Immersion of ashes
- • Meditation: Spiritual contemplation by the banks
Scriptural References
Rig Veda 10.75
"इमं मे गङ्गे यमुने सरस्वति शुतुद्रि स्तोमं सचता परुष्ण्या"
"Listen to this my praise, O Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati..." - The first mention of Ganga in Vedic literature.
Bhagavata Purana
"The water of the Ganga is always pure and sacred. It purifies all sins and grants liberation to those who bathe in it with devotion."
Skanda Purana
"Among all rivers, Ganga is the most sacred. She is the path to heaven and the destroyer of sins."
Complete Ganga Information
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