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Other Names : Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Padma, Mandakini
Countries : India, Bangladesh
Major cities : Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna
Length : 2,510 km
Watershed : 907,000 km²
Source : Gaumukha, Gangotri Glacier located in Uttarakhand, India
Destination : Ganges Delta located in Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Major Tributaries: In the left, Brahmaputra, Gomti, Kosi, Gandak, Ghaghra In the right Yamuna, Son

Goddess Ganga
Ganga / Ganges is considered as the most sacred river of the Hindu Mythology. River Ganges is very much popular in India and is worshipped as a goddess. Ganga is the most revered river in the world. River Ganga is unique in itself with its mind blowing length and width. Many other rivers of the world exceed Ganga on these aspects but none of them can match the reverence and affection that is shown to Ganga by the people of India and the world.

According to the Puranas (Holy Scriptures of Hindus), the sight, the name and the touch of Ganga takes away all sins. As per Hindu thoughts, bathing in the river on special occasions causes remission of sins and facilitates the attainment of salvation. It is considered that Ganga bestows blessings of the highest order. People come from far and near to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of Ganga, with a belief that the ashes would go to heaven.

Gangajal – The Water of Ganga
Gangajal, the water of Ganga, is regarded as the most pure and sacred water on this earth. Ganga water is used in various religious ceremonies of Hindus. Even Science has proved that Ganga water is pure and bacteria free. Gangajal can be kept for years without any problem.

River Ganges / Ganga
According to Hindu Mythology, Ganga is considered as the celestial creature of heaven and it descends on the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. On the earth, Ganges or Ganga originates from the Gaumukha, Gangotri glacier in the central Himalayas, located in Uttarakhand, India. This is acknowledged as one of the holy pilgrimages of India.

The River flows through a wide area covering several sacred places of Hindus like Haridwar, Allahabad and Varanasi. The Ganga and its tributaries drain a large and fertile basin with an area of about one million square kilometers that supports one of the world’s highest density human populations. After a long journey of 2,510 kms, Ganga drains into the Bay of Bengal through its vast delta in the Sundarbans.

Representation of River Goddess Ganga
Ganga represents the innermost pristine coolness, piety and purity. River Ganga enriches the spiritual lives of millions and millions of Indians for whom the river is divine. Holy River Ganga personifies Goddess Ganga who descends to the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. The river Ganga itself embodies all the characteristics India is known for: mythical, serene, all pervading and assimilative.

Ganga Legend
Ganga, the River Goddess is the only living goddess in the Hindu pantheon. There are numerous stories regarding the birth and origin of this goddess. According to the beliefs, Ganga descends on the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. Ganga is the sacred river and has been referred to in the various ancient texts of Hindus.

Ganga, the River Goddess is the only living goddess in the Hindu pantheon. There are numerous stories regarding the birth and origin of this goddess. According to the beliefs, Ganga descends on the earth to rinse away the sins of the mankind. Ganga is the sacred river and has been referred to in the various ancient texts of Hindus. It is believed that Ganga used to flow in the heaven and sanctify gods with her holy waters.

River Ganges is repeatedly invoked in the Puranas, the Vedas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The story of Ganga’s descent on the Earth appears slightly different in Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. According to one story, Ganga is also considered as the sister of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva being one of the two daughters of Himavat and Meru. According to another legend, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to heaven to calm the Gods with her cool waters.

One story states that the sacred water in Brahma’s Kamandalu (water-vessel) is personified as a maiden, Ganga. Another legend tells that Brahma had respectfully washed the feet of Vishnu and collected this water in his Kamandalu. Being the part of the Kamandalu of Lord Brahma, Ganga is one of the Shaktis of the supreme Goddess Mahamaya Adishakti.

Ganga Origin – Story of Bhagiratha
This is the most popular story regarding the origin of river Ganga. The story goes far back when King Sagar magically acquired sixty thousand sons. Once, King Sagar organized Ashwamedh Yagna, a ritual of worship for the benefit of the kingdom. Jealous Indra planned a mischief and stole one horse from the place. King Sagar sent all his sons all over the earth to look for the horse. They found the horse in the nether-world standing next to Kapila Muni, a meditating sage. The youths, were disrespectful and caused his penance to be disturbed. The sage reduced them to ashes with his withering look.

The souls of these young men wandered as ghosts as their final rites had not been done. On repeated repentance and requests by the descendants of King Sagar, Kapila Muni finally relent that King Sagar’s sons would attain mukti (liberation), if their wicked remains are cleansed by the water of the goddess Ganga. Generations of King Sagar did penance to appease Brahma but without success and finally after much praying, pleading and tapasya by Bhagirath – seventh generation of King Sagar, Ganga reluctantly consents to descend to earth.

With this, Ganga found herself insulted and decided to sweep the whole earth with her powerful fall. Troubled, Bhagiratha prayed to Shiva to control the Ganga’s descent. Lord Shiva steps in the way and trapped Ganga in his hair. Shiva made the river fall gently through his long hair onto the Himalayas. As Ganga moved to the nether-worlds, she liberated the unfortunate souls of King Sagar’s Sons. Since then Ganga is sanctifying the mankind with her divine waters.