Give an account of Ganga River system and name its important tributaries.

Ganga River System and Its Important Tributaries:

The Ganga River System (2,525 km) is India's largest, most sacred, and economically vital river basin, draining over 8.6 lakh sq. km (~26% of India):

• 1. Origin and Course:
  • Originates as the Bhagirathi River from Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand).
  • At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi unites with the Alaknanda River to officially form the Ganga, entering the plains at Haridwar.
• 2. Major Tributaries of the Ganga:
  • Right-Bank Tributaries:
    1. Yamuna (1,376 km - Longest Tributary): Originates at Yamunotri; joined by Chambal, Betwa, Ken; merges at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam).
    2. Son River (780 km): Originates at Amarkantak (MP); joins Ganga near Patna.
    3. Punpun and Damodar rivers.
  • Left-Bank Himalayan Tributaries:
    1. Ramganga, Gomti (originates at Gomat Taal), Ghaghara (Saryu - largest by water volume), Gandak, Kosi ("Sorrow of Bihar"), and Mahananda.