Bhagirathi Ganga

The Bhāgīrathī is a turbulent Himalayan river in the state of Uttarakhand, India, that is the source stream of the Ganges—the major river of theGangetic plain of Northern India and the holy river of Hinduism.

The word "Bhagirathi" (Sanskrit, literally, "caused by Bhagiratha") refers to a mythological Sagar Dynasty prince who, to gain the release his 60,000 great-uncles from the curse of saint Kapila, brought the goddess Ganga in the form of the river Ganges, from the heavens to the earth.

The headwaters of the Bhagirathi Ganga are formed at Gaumukh (elevation 3,892 metres (12,769 feet)), at the foot of the Gangotri glacier and Khatling glaciers in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is then joined by its tributaries; these are, in order from the source:

• Kedar Ganga at Gangotri (elevation 3,049 m (10,003 ft))
• Jadh Ganga at Bhaironghati (elevation 2,650 m (8,694 ft))
• Kakora Gadand Jalandhari Gad near Harsil (elevation 2,745 m (9,006 ft))
• Siyan Gad near Jhala (elevation 2,575 m (8,448 ft))
• Asi Ganganear Uttarkashi (elevation 1,158 m (3,799 ft))
• Bhilangna River near Old Tehri (elevation 755 m (2,477 ft))

The Bhilangna itself rises at the foot of the Khatling Glacier (elevation 3,717 m (12,195 ft)) approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Gaumukh.

The river flows from its source for 205 km (127 mi) before meeting the Alaknanda River at an elevation of 475 m (1,558 ft) in the town ofDevprayag. Downstream of this confluence, considered holy by Hindus, the river is known as the Ganga Ji, or Ganges River by westerners. The controversial Tehri dam lies at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Bhilangna, at 30°22′32″N 78°28′48″E, near Tehr

There are 18 dams along the Bhagirathi River, either in operation, under construction or planned. These are, in order from the source: