Bhagirathi River
The Bhāgīrathī (Pron: /ˌbʌgɪˈɹɑːθɪ/) is a turbulent Himalayan river in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and one of the two headstreams of the Ganges, the major river of Northern India and the holy river of Hinduism. In the Hindu faith, history, and culture, the Bhagirathi is considered the source stream of the Ganges. However, in hydrology, the other headstream Alaknanda, is considered the source stream on account of its great length and discharge. The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda join at Devprayag in Garhwal and are thereafter known as the Ganges.
| Bhāgīrathī River | |
|---|---|
Sacred bathing ghats on Bhagirathi River at Gangotri | |
Map showing the Himalayan headwaters of the Bhagirathi river. The numbers in parentheses refer to the altitude in meters. | |
| Etymology | "Bhagirathi" (Sanskrit, literally, "caused by Bhagiratha") |
| Native name | भागीरथी (Sanskrit) |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Uttarakhand, |
| Region | Garhwal division |
| District | Uttar Kashi District, Tehri District |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Gaumukh (gou, cow + mukh, mouth), about 18 km (11.2 mi) from the town of Gangotri |
| • coordinates | 30.925449°N 79.081480°E |
| • elevation | 3,892 m (12,769 ft) |
| Source confluence | Alaknanda River |
| Mouth | Ganges |
• location | Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India |
• coordinates | 30.146315°N 78.598251°E |
• elevation | 475 m (1,558 ft) |
| Length | 205 km (127 mi) |
| Basin size | 6,921 km2 (2,672 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 257.78 m3/s (9,103 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | 3,800 m3/s (130,000 cu ft/s) |
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