Facts you don't know about the holy river

Ganga

The Ganges River originates in the Himalayan Mountains in Gomukh, where the Gangotri Glacier terminates.

During her descent to Earth, the goddess is believed to have mistakenly destroyed Sage Jahnu's dwelling.

The Ganga, which flows 1,680 miles from Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier to the Bay of Bengal, is the lifeblood of India's heartland.

The tireless efforts of Sage Bhagiratha are believed to have inspired her to descend from the heavens (where she is known as Mandakini) to Earth.

Taking a dip in Ganga's sacred waters is believed to wash away one's sins and set them free from the cycle of reincarnation.

Along her banks, several locations have acquired added spiritual significance, including Gaumukh, Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, and Kolkata.

The Kumbh Mela, which takes place in the city of Ujjain and Nashik as well as at two locations along the Ganga, Haridwar, and Prayagraj, is her most well-known celebration. The planetary positions in specific months of a 12-year cycle determine the date and the place.