Bhagirathi River

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 (gau, cow + mukha, mouth), about 18 km (11.2 mi) from the town of Gangotri
• coordinates	30°55′32″N 79°04′53″E / 30.925449°N 79.081480°E / 30.925449; 79.081480
• elevation	3,892 m (12,769 ft)
Source confluence	Alaknanda River
Mouth	Ganges
• location	Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India
• coordinates	30°08′47″N 78°35′54″E / 30.146315°N 78.598251°E / 30.146315; 78.598251
• 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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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.