Sacred Ganges in India
Idea About: place
Country: India
Taking a dip in the Ganges during the Kumbha Mela festival
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Idea DescriptionGeneral Information
Country:
India (3)
Description
The Gangs river (1,560 miles (2,510 km) in length) is the largest river of the Indian subcontinent. It crosses the Gangetic Plain of northern India into Bangladesh where it finally flows into The Bay of Bangal. The Gangs begins in the western Himalayas in the Uttarakhand. After running 497 miles ( 800 km ) it passes the city of Kanpur and joins the Yamuna river at Allahabad. This point is known as the Triveni Sangam or (three-braided meeting point) at Allahabad. What Makes It Special
Sangam is a sacred place in Hinduism. The waters of the Gangs river represent life, Yamuna is connected to Yama, god of death. According to ancient Hindu texts, at one time a third river, the Sarasvati, met the other two rivers at that point. But you cannot see it nowadays, it is said that the river Saraswati (the river of wisdom) is invisible, flows underground and joins the other two rivers from below. Sangam is the place of pilgrimage and the site for historic Kumbha Mela (festivals) held every 12 years with about 70 million people sinking into the holy water of the rivers to wash off their sins.Next 12 year festival will be in 2013. Magha Mela happens every year. Useful Visitor Information and Tips
Best time to go is February or January when it is the time for melas ( festivals ) and colorful crowds of people and flocks of migrating birds sink into the water on the banks of the Gangs. One day is enough for a tourist. The places which you may like to see: Ancient shrines and underground Patalpuri Temple, besides the trip on the boat and watching the waters of the Gangs and Yamuna meet may be interesting too. You can get to Allahabad by air. Allahabad has Allahabad Airport (Bamrauli Air Force Base) (IXD) and is linked to Delhi and Calcutta by JetLite and Air India Regional. Other larger airports in the vicinity are at Varanasi (Varanasi Airport 142 km (88 mi)) and Lucknow (Amausi International Airport 210 km (130 mi)). The city has direct rail connections with important cities: Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Gwalior, Meerut, Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi, or you can drive. Additional InformationTags: Allahabad; ancient shrines; Bangladesh; Bay of Bangal; Gangetic Plain; Gangs; Himalayas; India (3); Indian subcontinent; Kanpur; Kumbha Mela; Magha Mela; Patalpuri Temple; Sangam; Sarasvati; Triveni Sangam; Yamuna |
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