Source
The Ganga rises at Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh), Uttarakhand, Named Ganga below Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda. 30.89° N, 79.84° E
Course
Its main course runs Uttarakhand → Uttar Pradesh → Bihar → Jharkhand → West Bengal; continues in Bangladesh as the Padma, and it enters the Bay of Bengal: through the Ganga–Brahmaputra (Sundarbans) delta.
Key facts
- Longest river of India
- Major tributaries: Yamuna, Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Son.
Dams and barrages
| Dam | Where and what |
|---|---|
| Tehri Dam | On the Bhagirathi headstream, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. |
| Farakka Barrage | Diverts water into the Hugli; Malda–Murshidabad, West Bengal. |
Places along the Ganga
| Place | Note |
|---|---|
| Haridwar | Uttarakhand · the river leaves the Himalaya for the plains. |
| Prayagraj | Uttar Pradesh · Triveni Sangam with the Yamuna. |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh · ghats on the left bank. |
| Patna | Bihar · state capital on the south bank. |
Quick questions
Where does the Ganga originate?
At Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh), Uttarakhand (Named Ganga below Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda).
Where does the Ganga end?
In the Bay of Bengal (Through the Ganga–Brahmaputra (Sundarbans) delta).
How long is the Ganga?
About 2,525 km (total length).
Which dams are on the Ganga?
Tehri Dam: On the Bhagirathi headstream, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Farakka Barrage: Diverts water into the Hugli; Malda–Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Sources
- Basin: Central Water Commission – Ganga basin
- River course: Natural Earth Public domain and © OpenStreetMap contributors ODbL 1.0