Bhagirathi River: Overview with Map and Origin

The Bhagirathi River is a significant tributary of the Ganges River in India originating from the Himalayas and flowing through Uttarakhand. It is located in northern India although its course can be traced on the India map flowing through the districts of Uttarkashi, Tehri, Garhwal, and Rishikesh. Moreover, the Bhagirathi River is a Himalayan river classified as a perennial river, meaning it flows throughout the year.

Physical Features of Bhagirathi

The Bhagirathi River is approximately 205 kilometers long and has a drainage area of around 6,920 square kilometers. The river flows through a varied terrain, including mountains, valleys, and plains, before merging with the Alaknanda River to form the Ganges River. 

Origin and Course

The Bhagirathi River originates from the Gaumukh Glacier located at the base of the Khatling and Gangotri Glaciers in the Garhwal Himalayas where the melting ice gives birth to the river.

Further, the river passes through the Tehri Garhwal district, including the towns of Uttarkashi and Tehri, where it encounters cliffs, rapids, and waterfalls. It receives water from tributaries such as the Bhilangna, Jadh Ganga, and Kedar Ganga.

Finally, the Bhagirathi River meets the Alaknanda River at Devprayag, which is a small town located in the Tehri district. The combined waters of the two rivers then flow as the Ganges River, and this river eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal.

The confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers is considered a sacred site in Hindu mythology and is revered by millions of pilgrims and devotees every year.

Map of Bhagirathi River

Tributaries

The following are the tributaries of the Bhagirathi River:

• Bhilangna River
• Jadh Ganga River
• Kedar Ganga River
• Asi Ganga River
• Solani River

Dams

Here is the list of dams on the Bhagirathi River:

• Maneri Dam
• Koteshwar Dam
• Tehri Dam

Significance

The place is considered holy to Hindus as it is the birthplace of Ganga. The Char Dham temple of Gangotri is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. The Bhagirathi River is part of the sacred Panch Prayag Yatra, which includes 5 holy confluences in Uttarakhand: Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, and Vishnuprayag.

The Sangam of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda is a significant place of pilgrimage, and taking a dip here is believed to grant moksha. There is an ancient temple here, which is an important place of worship. The colors of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers are distinct and can be seen separately.

Dashrath Shila temple dates back to the time of Ramayana and is associated with Raja Dashrath and Lord Ram. Dashrathachal is a small hill known as Dashrath’s throne. Raghunath Temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and has idols of Sita Maa and Laxman, with a unique blend of Buddhist and South Indian architecture. The temple was redeveloped by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1839.