The Ganga River System: India’s Lifeline and Cultural Icon:

The Ganga is a very significant river in India, both in terms of its vast river basin and its cultural importance as well. The Ganga river system primarily comprises the Ganges River (also called the Ganga), along with its numerous tributaries.

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Ganga River System: From Glacial Source to the Bay of Bengal:

• Geographical Extent of the Ganga river system: The river has a length of 2,525 km. It is shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh (1,450 km), Bihar (445 km) and West Bengal (520 km).
  • The Ganga basin covers about 8.6 lakh sq. km area in India alone.
• Bhagirathi: The Ganga’s Glacial Origin: It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh, situated at an elevation of 3,900 metres in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. 
  • At this point, it is referred to as the Bhagirathi.
  • As the river progresses, it navigates through the Central and Lesser Himalayas, carving its way through narrow gorges.
  • Devprayag: The Crucial Meeting of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi: It is a pivotal moment in its course.
    • At Devprayag the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda, and from this juncture onwards, it takes on the name Ganga.
  • Vishnu Prayag: Confluence Above Badrinath: 
    • The Alaknanda originates from the Satopanth glacier, located above Badrinath.
    • This river is formed by the convergence of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga, which come together at Joshimath, also known as Vishnu Prayag. 
• KarnaPrayag: Meeting Point with Pindar River: Pindar river tributary of Alkananda  joins here.
• RudraPrayag: Merging of Mandakini and Alaknanda:  Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets Alaknanda at RudraPrayag.
  • • This meeting marks a significant merging of waters in the upper reaches of the Ganga’s journey.
    • The Ganga enters the plains at Haridwar. 
    • From Haridwar it flows first to the south, then to the south-east and east before splitting into two distributaries, namely the Bhagirathi and the Padma.

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Confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda at Devprayag

What are the Significant Tributaries of the Ganga River System?

• The Ganga river system is the largest in India having a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers originating in the Himalayas in the north and the Peninsula in the south, respectively.

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• The river finally discharges itself into the Bay of Bengal near the Sagar Island.
  • The Ganga river system is characterised by several tributaries, each with its unique origin and course as follows:

• Gandak Tributary of Ganga: Exploring Nepal’s Central Drain
  • Gandak: The Gandak comprises two streams, namely Kaligandak and Trishulganga.
    • It rises in the Nepal Himalayas between the Dhaulagiri and Mount Everest and drains the central part of Nepal. 
    • It enters the Ganga plain in Champaran district of Bihar and joins the Ganga at Sonpur near Patna.
  • Ghaghara River: Origin and Journey through Mountainous Terrain: River originates from the glaciers of Mapchachungo.
    • As it flows, it collects water from its tributaries, including the Tila, Seti, and Beri rivers.
    • Emerging from the mountains, it creates a deep gorge at Shishapani.
      • Before meeting the Ganga at Chhapra, the Ghaghara is joined by the Sarda River, also known as Kali or Kali Ganga, in the plains.
  • Kosi River: An Antecedent Flow from Tibet to Ganga: The Kosi River is an antecedent river, with its source located north of Mount Everest in Tibet.

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• • • Its primary stream, the Arun, originates in this region.
    • After traversing the Central Himalayas within Nepal, it is joined by the West-flowing Son Kosi and the East-flowing Tamur Kosi, forming the Sapta Kosi.
  • Ramganga’s Path: From Garhwal Hills to Ganga’s Embrace: The Ramganga River is relatively smaller in size, starting its journey in the Garhwal hills near Gairsain.
    • After crossing the Shivalik region, it changes its course to the southwest and enters the plains of Uttar Pradesh near Najibabad.
    • Eventually, it merges with the Ganga River near Kannauj.
  • Sarda River: Journey from Milam Glacier to Ghaghara Confluence: The Sarda or Saryu River originates from the Milam glacier in the Nepal Himalayas, initially known as the Goriganga.
    • Along the India-Nepal border, it takes on the names Kali or Chauk and eventually joins the Ghaghara River.
  • Mahananda: Darjeeling Hills to Ganga’s Left Bank: The Mahananda River, a significant tributary of the Ganga, originates in the Darjeeling hills.
    • It is the final left bank tributary of the Ganga and joins the river in West Bengal.

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• Contributing Currents: Right Bank Tributaries of the Ganga
  • Yamuna River: Westernmost Tributary’s Path to Prayag: The Yamuna is the westernmost and longest tributary of the Ganga. 
    • It originates from the Yamunotri glacier on the western slopes of the Banderpunch range, with an elevation of 6,316 meters.
    • It merges with the Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad).
    • The Yamuna is joined by several rivers on its right bank, including the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa, and the Ken, all of which originate from the Peninsular plateau.
    • On its left bank, the Yamuna receives contributions from rivers such as the Hindan, the Rind, the Sengar, and the Varuna.
  • Chambal River: Malwa Plateau to the Confluence with Yamuna: The Chambal River, one of the major contributors to the Yamuna, originates near Mhow in the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
    • It flows in a northern direction, passing through a gorge beyond Kota in Rajasthan, where the Gandhi Sagar dam has been constructed.
    • Continuing its course, it moves through areas like Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Dholpur before eventually joining the Yamuna.
    • The Chambal is renowned for its unique badland topography, known as the Chambal ravines.
  • Son River: Amarkantak Plateau to Ganga’s South Bank: The Son River, on the other hand, is a major tributary situated on the south bank of the Ganga.
    • Its source lies in the Amarkantak plateau, and it forms a series of waterfalls at the plateau’s edge.
    • The Son River proceeds westward, passing Arrah, located to the west of Patna, before finally merging with the Ganga.
  • Damodar River: Flowing Across the Chotanagpur Plateau to Join the Hugli: The Damodar River flows along the eastern margins of the Chotanagpur Plateau, meandering through a rift valley before eventually merging with the Hugli River.
  • Its primary tributary is the Barakar River.
  • Once notorious as the “sorrow of Bengal” due to its frequent flooding, the Damodar River has been effectively managed and controlled by the Damodar Valley Corporation, which oversees a multipurpose project in the region.