In Indian culture, the Ganges (Ganga) is considered to be the most important river because it is the life source of northern India. The Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh) in Uttarakhand is the source of the river, which ultimately flows into the ocean through five states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand.

In each state in which it passes, Ganga performs different roles; in some places, the river is a source of irrigation; in others, electricity; in some places, it becomes a sin purifier; in others, it is a playful river which facilitates many water sports.

India's longest river stretches for 2525 kilometers. Despite its geographic significance, this river is also revered as a goddess in Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology considers her to be Brahma's daughter (the creator).

Here are some facts that prove that the Ganges is not just any river to Indians; the Ganga is a vital lifeline to them.

Ganga was originally in heaven, but its descent to earth is traced in many interesting legends. A few legends have been told regarding the existence of the Ganga in heaven: Here are some of the most popular versions of the origin of this sacred and mighty river: Some of the most popular versions include

There is a legend that said that Ganga was the daughter of Himavan and the sister of Uma. During the gods' summoning, Lord Indra carried Ganga to heaven.

According to Kritivas' Ramayana, Ganga is the daughter of Himalaya and Maina. She was kidnapped by the gods and goddesses to marry Lord Shiva. Maina cursed that Ganga would become a form of water as she could not find him in the house.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared on Earth in ten different forms throughout time. In every manifestation, he helped remove huge demons or difficulties from the earth. As such, he took the form of a dwarf Brahmin as his Vamana avatar.

Once upon a time, there was an Asura (devil) king named Bali Chakravarti. He had great devotion to Lord Vishnu, due to which he became very powerful on earth! The king of the gods (Indra) feared that his power might even conquer the heavens. So he appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Once Bali was performing the duty of donating (as much as he had asked) to Brahmins by organizing a Yagya.

In the form of a dwarf Brahmin, Vishnu appeared here and asked Bali to give the footprints of the land. To which Bali agreed, then he turned into the great Trivikrama and pushed the earth with one step, the sky with another, and Bali with the third into the bottomless (bottomless). In Hindu mythology, Brahma washed Vishnu's feet. When his feet were in the sky and collected water in a holy kettle, this water became the Ganges, and she became known as his daughter.