The Alaknanda is a Himalayan river in the state of Uttarakhand, India that is one of the two headstreams of the Ganges, the major river of Northern India and the holy river of Hinduism. The other headstream, Bhagirathi, which is longer, is the source stream.
The Alaknanda rises at the foot of the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers in Uttarakhand. It meets the Bhagirathi river at Devprayag after flowing for approx. 229 km through the Alaknanda valley. Its main tributaries are the Mandakini, Nandakini, and Pindar rivers. The Alaknanda system drains parts of Chamoli, Tehri, and Pauri districts.[1]
Following the merging at Devprayag, the river is known as the Ganga. The Alaknanda contributes a significantly larger portion to the flow of the Ganges than the Bhagirathi. The Hindu pilgrimage centre of Badrinath lies along the banks of the Alaknanda river. The Alaknanda is also known for adventure sports like rafting.
In mythology, the Goddess Ganga descended to earth at Gangotri, the original source of the Bhagirathi before the Gangotri Glacier receded to its current location at Goumukh. The Alaknanda is believed to have split off from the celestial Ganga when it descended from heaven.
The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meeting at Devprayag.
Sediment in the Alaknanda River as it mixes with the Bhagirathi at Devprayag.
Near the border with Tibet, the Alaknanda merges with the present Saraswati River at Keshavprayag above Sri Badrinath.
Following the merging at Devprayag, the river is known as the Ganga. The Alaknanda contributes a significantly larger portion to the flow of the Ganges than the Bhagirathi. The Hindu pilgrimage centre of Badrinath lies along the banks of the Alaknanda river. The Alaknanda is also known for adventure sports like rafting.
In mythology, the Goddess Ganga descended to earth at Gangotri, the original source of the Bhagirathi before the Gangotri Glacier receded to its current location at Goumukh. The Alaknanda is believed to have split off from the celestial Ganga when it descended from heaven.
The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meeting at Devprayag.
Sediment in the Alaknanda River as it mixes with the Bhagirathi at Devprayag.
Near the border with Tibet, the Alaknanda merges with the present Saraswati River at Keshavprayag above Sri Badrinath.
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