|
|
 he
most sacred river of India, the Ganga (Ganges) originates in the
mighty Himalayas and flows through the Northern Plains of India and drains
into the Bay of Bengal. Over a vast period of time |
this perennial river
carried the rich alluvial deposits that have shaped the most fertile
Gangetic plains of North India. It serves as lifeline for the
farmers in
North India,
who are totally dependant on this
river for irrigation
purposes.
The legend associated with the Ganga is that King Bhagirath |
 |
carried out penance to bring the heavenly river down to the earth for the
salvation of his ancestors. Hence, at its origin this river is referred to
as Bhagirathi. The Ganga has its source in the Gangotri glacier
in the lofty Himalayas at a height of about 14000 feet above sea level.
Bindu -Sar - near Gangotri is referred to as the spot where Bhagirath
is believed to have carried out his penances.
From lofty
Himalayas, the Ganga descends
down through the holy town of Rishikesh to the plains at
|
 |
Haridwar, also referred to as Gangadwar. It further flows
southeast past Garh Mukeshwar, Rajghat, Kannauj to Kanpur, and then to the
holy city of Prayag (Triveni Sangam), where it is joined by the river
Yamuna.
After leaving Prayag (Allahabad), it flows down eastwards through the ancient
pilgrimage town of
Benares
(Varanasi). Before reaching the ocean it flows through the state of Bihar and
W. Bengal. About 140 miles
from the ocean, the mighty river Brahmaputra merges with theGanga,
and it is from here that the river divides itself into |
severalstreams and drains into the Bay of
Bengal.
One of the islands at the mouth of the river Ganga is the Gangasagar -
said to be the location of the hermitage of Kapila Muni, who is
associated with the legend of Bhagiratha and the descent of the river
Ganga.
Also known as Padma and Meghana, the Ganga is worshipped by |
 |
| Hindus
as Ganga Maiya (Mother Ganga). It is believed that the holy
Gangajal (Ganges water) has the divine powers to remove the sins.Thus bathing in the river is considered to be most pious by the Hindus.
From religious point of view the Ganga is considered to be the ladder
to the heaven. Hence most of the Hindus wish to die within the
specified limits of the Ganga, as it would send them to the heavenly
world. |
| | |
)
)
)
