Ganges is a holy river.
The Ganges is a mighty river in northern India. It rises in western Himalayas and flows east, collecting waters of other major rivers. After crossing into Bangladesh, it is joined by Brahmaputra and takes a sharp turn south, emptying into the Bay of Bengal with a wide delta. Ganges is the the second-largest river on the planet by discharge, supporting a rich biodiversity and millions of people living in its basin. Numerous provincial and imperial capitals developed and continue to thrive on its banks.
While India has many holy rivers, Ganges is the holiest of them all. It is worshipped by a billion people as the Mother Ganga, an embodiment of life sustaining force, who originated from divine waters in the spiritual realm and descended to Earth. The Kumbh Mela festival, celebrated at various intervals, is a deep expression of devotion to the goddess with participants engaging in repeated purification baths, giving offerings to the river and praying for enlightenment. It is a mandatory pilgrimage for all Hindus. Dubbed the largest Act of Faith
, the festival has been celebrated for thousands of years and is regularly attended by millions of people from all over India.