The
mighty Ganga (also
known as the Ganges)
emerges from beneath the
Gangotri glacier at a height
of 3,959 m above sea level,
in the Garhwal region of
North India. Here she is
known as the Bhagirathi,
after the legendary prince
Bhagirath who is accredited
with bringing her down
from heaven to earth.
Bursting forth at Gaumukh,
out of a huge cavern shaped
like the mouth of a cow,
snow laden and hung with
giant icicles, the Bhagirathi
goes rushing, sparkling,
foaming around chunks of
ice that are constantly
breaking off from the
glacier above. Eighteen
kilometers downstream,
stands Gangotri, which was
the source of the river until
the glacier melted and
retreated to its present
position above Gaumukh.
From here onwards the river
passes
through the plains of
North India, covering the
states of Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, West Bengal, and
Bangladesh. Along the route
that Ganga and her
tributaries took, were set up
different settlements, each
of which were distinct and
developed their own
indigenous culture.n
that the great
kingdoms of India, viz.,
Magadh, Gupta, and Mughals
found their home. It was in
this region that one of the
most homogenous cultures
of all times was born.
Furthermore, it was in this
place that the essence of
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
and Sikhism was established
in India. Ever since then, the
river has been the lifeline of
India, economically,
spiritually and even
culturally.
The mighty Ganga (also
known as the Ganges)
emerges from beneath the
Gangotri glacier at a height of
3,959 m above sea level, in the
Garhwal region of North
India. Here she is known as
the Bhagirathi, after the
legendary prince Bhagirath
who is accredited with
bringing her down from
heaven to earth. Bursting
forth at Gaumukh, out of a
huge cavern shaped like the
mouth of a cow, snow laden
and hung with giant icicles, the
Bhagirathi goes rushing,
sparkling, foaming around
chunks of ice that are
constantly breaking off from
the glacier above. Eighteen
kilometers downstream,
stands Gangotri, which was
the source of the river until
the glacier melted and
retreated to its present
position above Gaumukh.
From here onwards the river
passes through the plains of
North India, covering the
states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
West Bengal, and Bangladesh.
Along the route that Ganga
and her tributaries took, were
set up different settlements,
each of which were distinct
and developed their own
indigenous culture.
Add replyEdit comment:
Add replyduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
and Sikhism was established
in India. Ever since then, the
river has been the lifeline of
India, economically,
spiritually and even
culturally.