Kamal Ghorui
India is home to hundreds of big and small rivers which have shaped the identity, culture, tourism and economy of the land. These are more than water bodies as these rivers have supported farming, fishing, drinking water, and are also known for their religious significance. However, do you know which river flows through the most Indian states? Well, it’s not just any river but the longest and oldest rivers in the country. This particular river has touched many lives across the nation.
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And the answer is the revered Ganga. Stretching about 2,525 km, the river Ganga flows through the maximum number of Indian states, including Uttarakhand (its source), Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. But not many must be aware of the fact that Ganga’s expansive basin covers 11 Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. And that’s why Ganga is also regarded as the ‘lifeline’.Ganga’s journey
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The river basin that flows through most states in India is the Ganga (Ganges) basin. Ganga’s journey starts from the mighty Himalayas, at the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. It’s here where the river becomes the Bhagirathi and joins the Alaknanda at Devprayag and becomes the Ganga River. It eventually joins the Bay of Bengal in the Ganges Delta in West Bengal and Bangladesh.Uttarakhand (Origin: Bhagirathi and becomes Ganga at Devprayag).Uttar Pradesh (Flows through major cities like Haridwar, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, among others).Bihar (Flows through Patna and Bhagalpur).Jharkhand (Flows through a small stretch in the Sahibganj district).West Bengal (Splits into two distributaries)Fascinating facts about the river:
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Bifurcation in Bengal: In West Bengal, the river divides; one branch, the Hooghly River, flows south past Kolkata, while the main stream enters Bangladesh and is known as the Padma.Deepest Point: In Patna, the capital city of Bihar, the river reaches its deepest point, at over 100 feet (30 metres).World’s largest delta: The Ganga and Brahmaputra together form the Sundarbans Delta, which is also the world’s largest river delta.Home to endangered Ganges Dolphin: The Ganges River Dolphins are among the few species of freshwater dolphins left in the world. These dolphins are now endangered. Traveller’s takeaway
For river travellers, following the path of the Ganga is like discovering India. From the holy ghats of Varanasi and Rishikesh to the lush mangrove lanes of the Sundarbans, Ganga’s sacred water is a new chapter. Whether it’s the devotees gathering at Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam or the fishermen throwing nets in West Bengal, the Ganga remains the protagonist in human stories forever.
