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The source of the river is called Gaumakh and it further flows through India and Bangladesh and ends up in the Bay of Bengal. The river basin of the Ganges is spread over an area of 400,000 square miles. It is one of the most fertile and densely populated in the world.
The Ganga River has a religious importance, is used by the people of India for several functions like baptisms, bathing, drinking, transport, agriculture, an energy source in industry, so on the banks of the river, there are many industries like leather, paper and textiles where the water is utilized for cleaning and power.
References to the Ganges river are found in the Puranas, the Vedas and two Indian epics – the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It is believed by the Hindus that a baby that is baptized in this river is cleansed. Also, if the remains of a dead person are mixed with this river, the soul is cleansed.
The Ganges River offers a good adventure for those who wish to experience river rafting, with the prime rafting point to begin a rafting trip being Rishikesh.
The pious cities on the course of the river are Varanasi and Haridwar. As in Varanasi, the river flows from the south to the north towards its origin, this phenomenon is regarded as an auspicious one by the Hindus. For a very long span of time, Varanasi has been the center of culture, art, religion, education, while on the other hand, as per Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places.
At Allahabad, the confluence of the Ganges and its tributary, Yamuna takes place. Here, there is a bathing festival in January and February, which entices thousands of pilgrims.
The Hindus have named the river after the goddess Ganga, who is the daughter of Himalaya, the mountain God. |
