The Ganga is formed as a result of the confluence of which rivers ? 

The correct answer is Bhagirathi and Alakananda at Dev Prayag.

Key Points

• The Ganga river originates from the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alakananda rivers.
• This confluence takes place at Dev Prayag, a town in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India.
• The Bhagirathi river originates from the Gangotri Glacier, while the Alakananda river originates from the Satopanth Glacier near Badrinath.
• Dev Prayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of the Alakananda River, and it holds great religious significance in Hinduism.

Additional Information

• Gangotri Glacier:
  • Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, it is the source of the Bhagirathi River.
  • The glacier is about 30 kilometers long and is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas.
• Satopanth Glacier:
  • Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, it is one of the primary sources of the Alakananda River.
  • The glacier is approximately 13 kilometers long and lies in the Garhwal Himalayas.
• Panch Prayag:
  • Refers to the five sacred river confluences in the Garhwal Himalayas.
  • The five Prayags are Vishnu Prayag, Nanda Prayag, Karna Prayag, Rudra Prayag, and Dev Prayag.
  • Each Prayag holds significant spiritual and cultural importance in Hinduism.
• Religious Significance of Ganga:
  • The Ganga River is considered sacred and is personified as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism.
  • It is believed that bathing in the Ganga can cleanse a person's sins and lead to salvation.
  • The river is central to many rituals and ceremonies in Hindu culture.