Bhagirathi River - Course

Course

The headwaters of the Bhagirathi are formed at Gaumukh (elevation 3,892 metres (12,769 ft)), at the foot of the Gangotri glacier and Khatling glaciers in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is then joined by its tributaries; these are, in order from the source:

• Kedar Ganga at Gangotri (elevation 3,049 m (10,003 ft)),
• Jadh Ganga at Bhaironghati (elevation 2,650 m (8,690 ft)),
• Kakora Gad and Jalandhari Gad near Harsil (elevation 2,745 m (9,006 ft)),
• Siyan Gad near Jhala (elevation 2,575 m (8,448 ft)),
• Asi Ganganear Uttarkashi (elevation 1,158 m (3,799 ft)),
• Bhilangna River near Old Tehri (elevation 755 m (2,477 ft)).

The Bhilangna itself rises at the foot of the Khatling Glacier (elevation 3,717 m (12,195 ft)) approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Gaumukh.

The river flows from its source for 205 km (127 mi) before meeting the Alaknanda River at an elevation of 475 m (1,558 ft) in the town of Devprayag. Downstream of this confluence, considered holy by Hindus, the river is known as the Ganga Ji, or Ganges River by westerners. The controversial Tehri dam lies at the confluence of the Bhāgirathi and the Bhilangna, at 30°22′32″N 78°28′48″E / 30.37556°N 78.48°E / 30.37556; 78.48, near Tehri.

Chaukhamba I is the highest point of the Bhagirathi basin.

• The turbulent Bhāgīrathī as it enters Devprayag.

• The Bhagirathi (foreground) on its way to meet the sediment-laden Alaknanda river, shown entering on the left, at Devprayag, and to flow on as the Ganges

• Another view of the confluence of the Bhāgirathi (right) and the sediment-rich Alaknanda (left) at Devprayag.

• Tehri Dam, the 5th tallest dam in the world