Ganges River: Countries It Covers & Flows Through

02 May, 2025

How many nations does the sacred Ganga embrace? The Ganga River, a lifeline for millions and a symbol of spiritual significance, carves its path through four South Asian countries, shaping landscapes, cultures, and lives.

The Ganga River, known as the Ganges in English, is far more than just a waterway; it's a deeply revered entity, a goddess, and a critical resource. Originating in the western Himalayas, the river's journey is a testament to its enduring presence. Its basin sprawls across a significant portion of South Asia, nourishing communities and ecosystems alike. The Ganga's reach extends beyond geographical boundaries, uniting people through shared cultural and spiritual ties.

The Ganga River basin is a complex and vital geographical region. While the river itself primarily flows through two nations, the basin's influence stretches across multiple countries. The river's course begins in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, winding its way south and east. From there, it traverses the Gangetic plain, a fertile and densely populated area in northern India. The river then enters Bangladesh, where it ultimately merges with the Bay of Bengal, forming a vast and fertile delta. The countries that share the Ganga River basin are integral to the river's story.

India dominates the Ganga River basin. Approximately 79% of the total area of the basin lies within India. This means that India shoulders a significant responsibility for the river's health and well-being, a responsibility reflected in its cultural reverence for the Ganga. The Ganga River touches upon several states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Each state contributes to the character of the river, and the river, in turn, shapes the character of each state.

Though the river's main flow is within India and Bangladesh, the Ganga's influence extends further. Portions of the river basin are also found in Nepal and Tibet (China). The upper reaches of the river and its tributaries draw from the Himalayas, an area that covers parts of these countries. Thus, even though the main course is limited to two nations, the Ganga's impact is felt across a larger area, influencing the lives of people in all four countries.

The Ganga is more than just a river; it is a holy site. It is a sacred river in Hinduism, where its waters are believed to wash away sins. Millions of Hindus go on pilgrimages to holy sites along the Ganga, particularly at its confluence with other rivers. The river is often referred to as "Ganga Ma" or Mother Ganga, and the faith that the faithful have in her is something that makes the river even more important in the life of many Hindus. The river is used for bathing, and it is worshipped daily.

The Ganga's significance is not limited to its religious value. It is an essential source of water for millions of people in the country and is used for irrigation, fishing, and bathing. The river has been inhabited by humans since ancient times, with the Harappan civilization in the region around the 2nd millennium BCE. The Ganga River is also an essential source of water for millions of people in the country and is used for irrigation, fishing, and bathing.

The Ganga's course spans an impressive distance. The river measures approximately 2,525 kilometers (1,569 miles). It rises in the western Himalayas and then flows south and east through the Gangetic plain of north India into Bangladesh. The river is also known to touch plain land in the Rishikesh region near Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The river flows through the towns of Kanpur, Soron, Kannauj, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Mirzapur, Ballia, Buxar, Saidpur, and Chunar. The upper course of the river also flows through the Himalayas.

The Ganga River and its basin face several challenges. These include pollution, dams, and the removal of too much water, mainly for agriculture. The Ganga's health has been affected by these factors. The greatest conflict resulted when India built a barrage at Farakka in the early 1970s to divert water to Kolkata. The Ganga river basin is shared by Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, and questions have arisen concerning the share of water to which each country is entitled.

Several major tributaries feed into the Ganga. These include the Brahmaputra River, Gomti, Kosi River, Gandak, Ghaghra River, Yamuna River, and Son River. The combined stream empties into the Bay of Bengal. The watershed is 907,000 square kilometers broad. The Ganga merges with the Yamuna River and the Brahmaputra River on its course.

The Ganga is not just a river; it is a sacred entity. The river is revered as a goddess whose purity cleanses the sins of the faithful and aids the dead on their path toward heaven. The Ganga has a watershed area of nearly 417,000 square miles. The Ganga, while one of the most polluted rivers in the world, is religiously and agriculturally important to the region.

The Ganga River is famous for being one of the most important rivers in India. It is a sacred river in Hinduism and an important source of water for millions of people in the country. The river is used for irrigation, fishing, and bathing. The river is also worshiped as the Mother Ganga in the Hindu religion.

Ganga River: Facts and Information
Countries in the Ganga River Basin	India, Nepal, China (Tibet), Bangladesh
Primary Countries the River Flows Through	India, Bangladesh
Origin	Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand, India
Length	2,525 km (1,569 mi)
Major Tributaries	Yamuna, Ghaghara, Son, Kosi, Gandak, Gomti, Brahmaputra
Religious Significance	Holiest river in Hinduism; considered a goddess
Economic Importance	Irrigation, fishing, bathing, transportation
Environmental Challenges	Pollution, water diversion, habitat loss
Cities Along the River	Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kanpur, Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata
Confluence with the Sea	Bay of Bengal

Reference: The Ganges River - Britannica

Ganges River Map, Map of Ganges River, Ganges Map, Ganga River Map

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Ganges River Kids Britannica Kids Homework Help

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The Ganges River Basin showing state and country boundaries, and the

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