Before the journey, part 4 of 4

गंगा खोरे

The Ganga is not just a river; it is a lifeline, a culture, a faith and a civilization.

From Gaumukh to the Bay of Bengal

2,525 kmfrom the Gaumukh glacier to the Bay of Bengal

1,086,000 km²of river basin

40%+of India’s population depends on it

4 countriesIndia, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh

Map of the Ganges Basin from the Gaumukh glacier in the Himalayas through India, Nepal and Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal, with major cities, tributaries and temples marked. — Zoom in to see cities, tributaries and temples along the river.

The journey of the Ganga

GaumukhHimalayas, 4,023 m
Rishikesh & HaridwarUttarakhand
Prayagraj & Varanasiउत्तर प्रदेश
पटनाबिहार
कोलकाताWest Bengal, as the Hooghly
The Padmaबांगलादेश
Sagar IslandBay of Bengal

Along the way the Yamuna joins the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, and the Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi join it in Bihar. The river finally meets the ocean at Sagar Island, forming the world’s largest delta.

A sacred river, a shared heritage, and a lifeline for millions.