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The Ganga River: A Structured Fact Sheet

1. Classification, Origin, and Formation

• Drainage Type: Antecedent Drainage.
• Source: Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh (Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand).
• Initial Name: At the source, the river is called the Bhagirathi.
• Formation of the Ganga:
  • The Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag; from this confluence onward, the river is known as the Ganga.
• Major Confluences (Prayags) of the Alaknanda:
  • Vishnuprayag: Confluence with the Dhauliganga.
  • Nandprayag: Confluence with the Nandakini.
  • Karnaprayag: Confluence with the Pindar.
  • Rudraprayag: Confluence with the Mandakini.
• Mandakini River:
  • Flows between Kedarnath and Rudraprayag.
  • It is a tributary of the Alaknanda, meeting it at Rudraprayag.

2. The Ganga River System: Major Tributaries & Characteristics

• Length: Approximately 2,525 km, making it the longest river in India.
• Northern Tributaries: Ghaghara, Kosi.
• Southern Tributaries:
  • Son River: A major southern tributary that joins near Patna. It flows northwards for a significant part of its course.
  • Punpun River: Joins the Ganga at Fatuha in the Patna district.
• Plains-origin Tributary:
  • Gomti: The only tributary of the Ganga that originates in the plains (from Gomat Taal near Pilibhit, UP).
• Lower Basin Rivers:
  • Damodar River and its tributary, the Barakar River, are part of the lower Ganga basin.
• Religious Significance:
  • The Badrinath temple is on the banks of the Alaknanda.
  • The Kedarnath temple is located near the Mandakini.

3. The Yamuna River System

• Origin: Yamunotri Glacier near the Bandarpunch mountains.
• Course Issue: The stretch between Delhi and Agra often has minimal flow due to heavy diversion and pollution, making it appear “dead” for much of the year (though it is a perennial river).
• Major Right-Bank Tributaries (west to east):
  1. Chambal
  2. Sindh
  3. Betwa
  4. Ken
• Tributary Details:
  • Chambal River:
    • Known for its deep ravines (called Bihad or Badlands).
    • Its own tributaries include the Kali Sindh, Parvati, and Kshipra rivers.
  • Betwa River:
    • Originates from the Vindhyan Hills.
    • It is a direct tributary of the Yamuna and does not join the Chambal.
  • Ken River: A direct tributary of the Yamuna.
• Clarification: The Ramganga River is a tributary of the Ganga, not the Yamuna.

4. The Ganga in Bangladesh & Delta Formation

• Name Change: Upon entering Bangladesh, the Ganga is known as the Padma.
• Sunderban Delta:
  • The world’s largest delta.
  • Formed by the confluence of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.
  • Two-thirds of the delta is in Bangladesh, and one-third is in India.
• Bengal Delta Subdivisions:
  • Moribund Delta: South-western part of Bangladesh, characterized by silted-up channels and oxbow lakes.
  • Active Delta: Located at the Meghna River estuary, prone to flooding and formation of new islands (chars).

5. Other Important Rivers of Northern India

• Son River Basin:
  • The Son River does not flow through Uttar Pradesh.
  • The Kaimur Range is the water divide between the Son River (south) and the Tons River (a Yamuna tributary to the north).
  • The North Koel River is a tributary of the Son River.
• Gandak River:
  • The Gandak River does not flow through Uttar Pradesh; it enters India in Bihar and joins the Ganga there.

6. Physical & Environmental Characteristics

• Soil: The Gangetic alluvial soil is very deep, with one estimate suggesting 4,000-6,000 meters below the land surface.
• Pollution: The Ganga is highly polluted, primarily due to the discharge of untreated urban sewage.
• Conservation Efforts:
  • In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court declared the Ganga River a legal person (a living entity with rights).
  • India and Asia’s first Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) is being set up on the banks of the Ganga in Patna, Bihar.

7. Rivers NOT Part of the Ganga Basin

• The Jonk River is a tributary of the Mahanadi.
• The South Koel River joins the Sankh to form the Brahmani River.

8. Bonus: International Boundaries (Indonesia)

• Indonesia shares land borders with:
  • Malaysia (on Borneo)
  • Papua New Guinea (on New Guinea)
  • Timor-Leste (on Timor)
• Indonesia does not share a land border with Brunei.

Know More About Ganga Drainage System:

• Ganga Drainage System – Old Year Questions
• Ganga Drainage System One Liner Questions & Answers