| "The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of | | | | * The major route of the river is in India, with a lesser |
| her people, round which are intertwined her memories, | | | | part flowing through Bangladesh before entering the |
| her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her | | | | Bay of Bengal. |
| victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of | | | | * Being the longest river in India, the river Ganges is |
| India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, | | | | approximately 2506 kilometers (1557 miles) long. The |
| ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga." ~ | | | | river Ganges is a perennial river. |
| 'Discovery of India' by Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime | | | | * The two rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, conjoin to |
| Minister of India | | | | form the river Ganges. |
| India is a land of many rivers, one such being the river | | | | * The largest delta in the world, the Sunderbans, is |
| Ganges. River Ganges or Ganga, as the river is | | | | situated on the banks of the Ganges. This delta has |
| popularly known in India by its Hindu name, is | | | | the highest number of royal Bengal tigers. |
| considered a sacred river by the people of India. Being | | | | * The plains on the banks of this river are very fertile |
| the greatest water ways in India, it is also one of the | | | | and is one of the most densely populated areas in the |
| longest rivers in the world. From Srinagar one can take | | | | world with half of India's population living and depending |
| taxis or buses of KSRTC online Booking There are | | | | on the banks of Ganges. |
| many popular beliefs and interesting facts surrounding | | | | * There is an ecosystem flourishing in the river |
| the river Ganges. Let us take a look at the Ganges | | | | Ganges, with the Ganges river dolphin being on the top |
| river in India and the Ganges river facts. Read how are | | | | of the food chain. They are being hunted and are on |
| rivers formed. | | | | the list of endangered species. |
| Ganges River History | | | | * Haridwar, Varanasi, Allahabad and Rishikesh are the |
| There are many legends and myths in Hindu | | | | centers of pilgrimage situated on the banks of this |
| mythology associated with the river Ganges. The | | | | river. They are also some of the major cities of India. |
| Ganga was considered to be a goddess in ancient | | | | * The Ganges is a spiritual center in India with many |
| texts of the Vedas and Puranas. The Ramayana and | | | | dead bodies being cremated on the banks of the river. |
| Mahabharata tell stories about the descent of the | | | | This is quite a popular practice in India and it is believed |
| Ganga in different ways. It is believed that Ganga | | | | that after death the souls will directly attain 'moksh' or |
| descended from the heaven and is invoked in the | | | | salvation. It is also believed that the water from the |
| religious books for graces to be bestowed. There is an | | | | Ganges has healing properties and can cure even the |
| interesting story about the descent of the Ganga that | | | | deadliest of diseases. |
| is told as a tradition. According to a popular myth in | | | | * Another belief of the people in India is that if they die |
| Hindu mythology, the river Ganga was the daughter of | | | | in Varanasi, the holiest city in India, they will be freed |
| the maountain god Himalaya. Another myth is that, the | | | | from their sins. |
| Ganges was to go to heaven to soothe the wrath of | | | | * Last but not the least, the Ganges is a major site for |
| the gods with its waters. In the Hindu religion, there is | | | | river rafting in India. With its forceful, frothy waters, |
| one more story told about the descent of the river | | | | rafting in the river has become an adventure sport, |
| Ganges. King Bhagiratha performed penance to find | | | | with a unique and diverse experience that can be |
| salvation for the souls of his ancestors who were | | | | enjoyed by everyone. |
| cursed by a sage. In order to bring down the river | | | | Also read about: |
| Ganges from heaven, he offered prayers to Lord | | | | * The Longest Rivers in France |
| Shiva and his prayers were granted. The river Ganges | | | | * Nile River Facts |
| came down from heaven through the matted hair of | | | | * Kingfisher Airlines Booking |
| Lord Shiva to purify the Earth and wash away the sins | | | | * Rivers in Germany |
| of mankind. | | | | This was a brief glimpse of Ganges river facts. |
| Interesting Ganges River Facts | | | | Though the Ganges has become polluted, it still |
| Given below are some Ganges river facts. | | | | remains a religious icon of the world. People, especially |
| * The origin of the Ganges is a glacier called Gangotri, | | | | Hindus, across the globe make it a point to pay a visit |
| this is where the river Ganges got its name from. The | | | | to India to get a glimpse of this sacred river and wash |
| Gangotri is a glacier on the Himalayas situated | | | | off their sins. |
| approximately 14,000 feet above sea level. | | | | |