Discover Haridwar Ganges Utsav 2024 in Uttarakhand India

Haridwar is a beautiful city in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. It sits right next to the Ganges River (called the Ganga in India), where the big Indo-Gangetic Plain in the south meets the smaller Himalayan foothills in the north. Haridwar is very special because it’s one of Hinduism’s seven most sacred cities and a place where many people go on pilgrimage to pray and take part in religious events.

Overview: Haridwar Ganges

The name Haridwar means “Door to Hari”, and Hari is another name for the Hindu god Vishnu. This city is also called Kapila, named after an ancient sage who once lived there.

One of the most famous places in Haridwar is Har-ki-pauri. It’s a special bathing ghat (like big steps leading down to the river) where there is a footprint of Vishnu on a stone. Every April, thousands of people visit Har-ki-pauri to bathe in the Haridwar Ganges River. Also, every 12 years, Haridwar hosts a huge festival called Kumbh Mela, which is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world!

Another important place near Haridwar is the Daksha Mahadev Temple in Kankhal, which is about 2 miles (or 3 kilometers) downstream. This temple is also a popular spot for pilgrims.

Course of the Ganga River

The Ganga River, revered in India, has its source stream known as Bhagirathi, which originates from the Gangotri Glacier at Gaumukh, situated at an elevation of 3,892 meters (12,770 feet).

The river is formed from a confluence of various smaller streams, among which the most significant are Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Pindar, Mandakini, and Bhilangana. At Devprayag, where the Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi, the river officially takes on the name Ganga.

Journey of Ganga

The Ganga traverses an impressive 2,525 kilometers before reaching its final destination in the Bay of Bengal. Throughout its journey, it is joined by numerous tributaries, enriching its flow and volume.

Key Features Along the Course:

• Uttarakhand: The Tehri Dam is built on the Bhagirathi for hydropower generation, allowing for regulated water discharge during dry months.
• Haridwar: Here, the Ganga enters the Gangetic Plains, where a barrage diverts a significant portion of its waters into the Upper Ganga Canal for irrigation purposes.
• Bijnore: Another barrage directs water into the Madhya Ganga Canal, particularly during the monsoon season.
• Narora: Further diversions occur into the Lower Ganga Canal.

As the river flows downstream, it receives contributions from additional rivers. For instance:

• River Ramganga joins the Ganga near Kannauj, increasing its water flow.
• The confluence with the Yamuna occurs at Allahabad (Prayagraj), significantly boosting the Ganga’s volume.

Flow Through North India

Beyond Allahabad, the Ganga continues to gain strength from several tributaries, predominantly flowing from the north, with some coming from the south. Between Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Malda in West Bengal, the river boasts a robust flow, making it one of the major waterways in India.

Regulation and Diversions

• The Farakka Barrage in West Bengal plays a crucial role in managing the river’s flow, diverting some water into a feeder canal that links the Hooghly River to prevent siltation.

Splitting into Two Main Rivers

Downstream of the Farakka Barrage, the Ganga splits into two primary channels:

• Bhagirathi (Hooghly): This branch flows towards the Bay of Bengal, approximately 150 kilometers downstream of Kolkata.
• Padma: This branch enters Bangladesh, where it merges with the Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers before ultimately reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Conclusion

The Ganga’s journey from its source to the sea is not only a geographical marvel but also a testament to its cultural and spiritual significance in Indian civilization. Its tributaries and diversions highlight the river’s critical role in supporting agriculture, hydropower, and sustaining millions of lives along its banks.

Trending Event in Haridwar Gnages

The eighth Ganga Utsav, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), will take place on November 4, 2024, at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar. This year’s festival is special, as it marks the first time Ganga Utsav is celebrated directly along the riverbank.

The event honors the anniversary of the Ganga River’s designation as India’s National River, emphasizing the need to strengthen our connection with the river while promoting conservation and highlighting its cultural and spiritual significance.

Objectives of Ganga Utsav 2024

The primary goals of Ganga Utsav 2024 are:

• Fostering a deeper connection with the Ganga and its heritage.
• Promoting awareness and initiatives for river cleanliness.
• Celebrating the cultural and spiritual importance of the Ganga in Indian civilization.

Nationwide Celebrations and Highlights

The festival’s celebrations will extend across 139 districts within the Ganga basin, each coordinated by District Ganga Committees, with each Ganga basin state hosting a main event. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, will inaugurate the central event in Haridwar, joined by dignitaries including Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, and Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti Debashree Mukherjee.

Key Events and Activities

A significant highlight of the festival will be the Ganga Women Rafting Expedition, organized with the Border Security Force (BSF). This expedition will cover a 50-day journey, visiting nine major cities along the Ganga, and will conclude at Ganga Sagar. Events in five Ganga basin states will accompany the expedition, emphasizing the role of women in river conservation.

Other notable events include:

• River City Alliance: Ganga Utsav will serve as a model for future river-centered celebrations nationwide, with 145 river cities in the River City Alliance joining the initiative to promote pollution-free, healthy urban rivers.
• Cultural Activities: Traditional performances, exhibitions, and children’s activities such as quizzes, puppet shows, and competitions.
• “Ganga Samvad” Sessions: These discussions with cultural and spiritual leaders aim to inspire youth participation in river conservation efforts.
• Marketplace and Exhibitions: “Ghat Par Haat” will showcase aspects of the Namami Gange initiative, and an exhibition will highlight the progress in cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga.
• Traditional Food Festival: Visitors can savor local culinary flavors that reflect India’s diverse heritage.

Uniting for Ganga’s Future

Through its inspiring events and activities, Ganga Utsav 2024 calls for collective action to protect and rejuvenate the river, ensuring it remains a source of pride and spiritual significance for generations to come. By celebrating the Ganga’s vital role in Indian history, the festival aims to restore the river’s pristine state, further integrating conservation into public consciousness.

Chandi Ghat Haridwar

Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for major projects worth Rs 5,894 crore at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar.

These projects include six newly constructed sewage treatment plants (STPs) and 18 pumping stations across Uttarakhand. They are part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga and aim to improve water quality and environmental health along the Ganga.

The newly inaugurated Chandi Ghat is one of 36 ghats in Uttarakhand that are now open to the public. These ghats, along with STPs, are part of a larger effort involving 48 projects focusing on sewerage management, ghats and crematoria work, riverfront development, afforestation, bio-remediation, rural sanitation, and river surface cleaning. This initiative, costing Rs 1,354 crore, is progressing at different stages and aims to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for Uttarakhand and the Ganga River.

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