The Ganga is one of the most spiritual and revered rivers in Hinduism. Most people might not know about its source and the history behind its origin. Hence, we have brought you this article with enough information to make you aware of the river Ganges and its Geography.
Gaumukh is precisely known to be the only origin source of the River Ganges. It’s the glacier located in the Uttarkashi district of the Uttarakhand State, India. The name Gaumukh refers to the mouth of a cow, which, in reality, seems like one. Also, this sacred glacier is the major highlight of the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek.
This glacier not only gives birth to the Bhagirathi River (the initial name of Ganga) but also to other main streams, which later merge with the Ganga’s course. It is highly elevated at an altitude of 4,023 m and the trek to its mouth starts from Gangotri, which is approximately 18-20 km.
Geographical Significance:
The Gaumukh Glacier accommodates an estimated area of 27 cubic km and stretches around 30 km long and 2 km wide. If we look at its topography, it includes rough and rugged terrain with a glacial landscape where you’ll find solid glacier parts scattering around. It’s generally called the boulder zone due to the presence of huge rocks, and even sometimes as huge as 10-14 ft.
In the nearby area of the Gangotri Glacier, there are other glaciers such as Chaturangu, Swachand, and Raktvaran, and they serve as its tributary glaciers.
The trekking route includes a steep climb and descents where you’ll be crossing multiple glaciers, hilly paths, and rocks, all surrounded by tall and magnificent snow-clad mountains. The most famous mountain peaks that are visible from the summit are Bhagirathi, Chaukhamba, Mt. Shivling, and such. Besides, The water of the Bhagirathi River, to be exact, comes on the surface through a minor crack in the ice at this glacier.
There are only a few mountain peaks of Chaukhamba range that separate the Gangotri Glacier in the west from the Satopanth glacier in the east, which gives birth to the Alaknanda river. From the Chaukhambha base to the snout of Gaumukh, it is 30 km in length.
The glaciers of Bhagirathi, Kedarnath and Shivling also merge with the Gangotri glacier. From Tapovan, the Mt. Shivling’s base, Goumukh is located at a very short distance.
Topographical Features:
- The Boulder Zone
- Steep Inclination
- Fluctuational Weather
Historical Background:
In the ancient scriptures and religious texts, you’ll often find mention of the great significance being held by the Gaumukh Glacier and the Ganga River. According to the Bhagavata Purana, there is a legend on the creation of the Ganga or Bhagirathi river.
It all started with the Raja Sagar of Ikshavaku dynasty. He once organized a Ashwamedha Yagya to establish his suzerainty, however, the Indra ji feared that he might lose his power to the king. So, he conspired against him and stole the horse that was to be sacrificed in the ritual and hid him at the Kapil Muni’s Ashram in the Pataal lok.
When the thousands of Sagar’s Sons came to find the horse and accidentally disturbed the sage’s meditation. He, in anger, incinerated all of them.
Later, Bhagirath, a descendant of Sagar, performed a great penance and called the Goddess Ganga on the earth to liberate the souls of his ancestors.
Location of Ganga:
Starting from its source, Gaumukh, the river originates as Bhagirathi. At Devprayag, when it meets with the Alaknanda, it becomes the Ganga.
In India, the Ganga Basin is the largest basin, with approximately a catchment area of 1,086,000 sq km in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
In India, it extends over an area of 8,60,000 sq km. The river is spread across the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi. After occupying a length of 2525 km, it finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Biodiversity: Flora & Fauna
Being amidst the Gangotri National Park, the region in the surroundings of Gaumukh is a home for rich biodiversity.
On your way to Gaumukh, you may encounter varieties of rare species such as, Himalayan Tahr, black & brown bear, Himalayan snowcock, Snow Leopards, Bharal, Monal etc. For flowers, you’ll see Deodar trees, Oak, Spruce, Rhododendrons and others.
Environmental Challenges: The Reasons and the consequences:
The Ganga provides the major fertile lands in India, and most of the wildlife, agro-economy, projects rely on it. However, the river has been constantly facing multiple threats for many years.
There are several ecological challenges around the Gangotri and Gomukh Glacier that are causing the loss of a huge biodiversity and more.
As per the researchers say, the Gaumukh Glacier is melting at a rapid rate. The main reason is believed to be the Global warming and human activities. It’s been said that at earlier ages, the Gaumukh Glacier could be seen near the Gangotri Dham, and now it’s been moved backwards. The deadly natural disasters and abrupt climate change also play a significant role in the receding of ice as well.
According to the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, due to the increasing temperature in the overall climate of India, the formation of new ice to replace the already melted ice keeps on decreasing continuously. The Gangotri glacier is receiving less snowfall and more rainfall which eventually leads to the transfer of heat to the glacier, and thus it’s melting.
The other reason behind the melting of the Gangotri Glacier is the presence of Black carbon deposits that heats the environment.
As per the studies reveal, the terminus or the opening of the glacier has moved backward around 1-2 km away between 1935-1966. The continuous modification of its snout has also been recorded.
Consequently, it seems that these ongoing environmental changes create bigger problems that would hinder the long term run and stability of the Gangotri Glacier. Some of the major issues that could be met in future are:
- Less Fertility in the plains and thus impacting economy
- Increase in Flooding
- Extreme weather disasters
- A huge effect on the Hydropower projects
Conservative Efforts:
There are multiple sustainable approaches taken by the central as well as state government to stop retreating of the Gangotri Glacier.
- The scientists are primarily focusing on the causes of climate change and then taking steps to reduce greenhouse gases.
- They’re also organizing awareness events, to let the community people and travelers understand the importance of the Glacier.
- Encouraging local people to incorporate sustainable practices to avoid such harmful impact.
- Applying various rules to reduce a large tourist involvement and .
- Planting more and more plants and natural sanctuaries like Gangotri National park.
In conclusion, The Gangotri Glacier and the river Ganga is a source of reverence in Hinduism, a booster of the Indian economy. It carries a greater significance in all the aspects, whether it be the cultural, spiritual, economical and financial, hence, we must ensure its lifetime existence.
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