Alaknanda River

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The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers merging at Devprayag

The Alaknanda River is a tributary of the Ganges River that begins at the confluence of the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers in Uttarakhand. It merges with the Bhagirathi river near 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 Ganges. 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.

Several rivers in the Garhwal region merge with the Alaknanda at five prayags or 'holy confluence of rivers'. These are:^[2]

Vishnuprayag, where the Alaknanda is met by the Dhauli Ganga
Nandaprayag, where it is met by the Nandakini River
Karnaprayag, where it is met by the Pindari River
Rudraprayag, where it is met by the Mandakini River
Devprayag, where it meets the Bhagirathi River and officially becomes the Ganges River

[edit] References

^ Singh Negi, Sharad (1995). Uttarakhand: Land and People, page 6. MD Publications Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8185880735.
^ Kapadia, Harish (2001). Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya, page 89. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811729532.