The Holy River of India-River Ganges
The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga." - Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges
Ganges (Hindi Ganga), major river of the Indian subcontinent, formed in the southern ranges of the Himalaya, in northern Uttar Pradesh State, India. The Ganges is mainly in India, but also flows through Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river, about 2,510 km (1,560 mi) long, rises in a snowfield called THE GANGOTRI GLACIER, situated among three Himalayan mountains all more than 6,706 m (22,000 ft) high. It issues as the Bhagirathi River from an ice cave, 3,139 m (10,300 ft) above sea level, and falls 67 m per km (350 ft per mi). About 16 km (10 mi) from the source is Gangotri, the first temple on its banks and a traditional resort of pilgrims. At the village of Devaprayag, 214 km (133 mi) from the source, the Bhagirathi joins the Alaknanda to form the Ganges.
MYTHS AND RELIGIOUS FACTS
GANGA IN HINDUISM
The Hindus revere the Ganga as a goddess, as sister of Parvati who is the daughter of Himavan and the bride of Lord Shiva. The Ganga is called ‘the Mother’ and the lands through which she flows, are very fertile and prosperous in all aspects.
The river provides spiritual sustenance to 1 billion Hindus, who regard it as sacred. And it provides physical sustenance to hundreds of millions of people who live in its watershed.
The river passes through India's most populous state, its most lawless state, its holiest city and its cultural capital, Calcutta.
The Ganga is mentioned in the Rig-Veda, the earliest of the Hindu scriptures. The Ganga is mentioned in the nadistuti (Rig Veda 10.75), which lists the rivers from east to west. In RV 6.45.31, the word Ganga
Ganges (Hindi Ganga), major river of the Indian subcontinent, formed in the southern ranges of the Himalaya, in northern Uttar Pradesh State, India. The Ganges is mainly in India, but also flows through Bangladesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The river, about 2,510 km (1,560 mi) long, rises in a snowfield called THE GANGOTRI GLACIER, situated among three Himalayan mountains all more than 6,706 m (22,000 ft) high. It issues as the Bhagirathi River from an ice cave, 3,139 m (10,300 ft) above sea level, and falls 67 m per km (350 ft per mi). About 16 km (10 mi) from the source is Gangotri, the first temple on its banks and a traditional resort of pilgrims. At the village of Devaprayag, 214 km (133 mi) from the source, the Bhagirathi joins the Alaknanda to form the Ganges.
MYTHS AND RELIGIOUS FACTS
GANGA IN HINDUISM
The Hindus revere the Ganga as a goddess, as sister of Parvati who is the daughter of Himavan and the bride of Lord Shiva. The Ganga is called ‘the Mother’ and the lands through which she flows, are very fertile and prosperous in all aspects.
The river provides spiritual sustenance to 1 billion Hindus, who regard it as sacred. And it provides physical sustenance to hundreds of millions of people who live in its watershed.
The river passes through India's most populous state, its most lawless state, its holiest city and its cultural capital, Calcutta.
The Ganga is mentioned in the Rig-Veda, the earliest of the Hindu scriptures. The Ganga is mentioned in the nadistuti (Rig Veda 10.75), which lists the rivers from east to west. In RV 6.45.31, the word Ganga