Reflection

I used the the HOM, 'Remaining open to continuous learning' when I learned about the river as I did my researches.I used the HOM.'Gathering data from all senses' when I gathered informaion for my project.I also used the HOM 'creating,imagining and innovaing' by adding pictures to my blog tomake it look attractive.

Economic benefits of the river

Three towns, holy to Hinduism – Haridwar, Allahabad, and Varanasi -attract thousands of pilgrims to its waters benefiting the tourism industry. Hindu pilgrims arrive at these three towns to take a dip in the Ganges, which is believed to cleanse oneself of sins and help attain salvation. The rapids of the Ganges are also popular river rafting areas, attracting hundreds of adventure seekers in the summer months.The presence of swamps and lakes provide a rich growing area for crops such as legumes, chillies, mustard, sesame, sugarcane, and jute.Before the 19th century much of the Ganges was navigable but this declined with the construction of railroads and the increasing use of water for irrigation. West Bengal and Bangladesh still use the waterways to transport jute, tea, grain and other agricultural products. The hydroelectric potential of the Ganges is 13 million kilowatts, two fifths of which lies in India and the rest in Nepal and this reduces the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.

Uses of river(from the past till present day situation)

The Ganges has been used for irrigation since ancient times due to the presence of fertile soil.The river is also used for fishing as there many varieties of fishes int the river. Ganges is also a sacred place for Hindus as the river believed to cleanse oneself's sins and help attain salvation.

Physical features of the Ganges

The delta, the seaward prolongation of sediment deposits from the Ganges and Brahmaputra river valleys, is about 220 miles (355 km) along the coast and covers an area of about 23,000 square miles (60,000 square km). It is composed of repeated alternations of clays, sands, and marls, with recurring layers of peat, ignite, and beds which were once forests. The new deposits of the delta, known as the khaddar, naturally occur in the presence of channels. Tidal processes dominate the delta’s growth.
The southern surface of the Ganges delta has been formed by the rapid and comparatively recent deposition of enormous loads of sediment. To the east of the seaward side of the delta is changing at a rapid rate by the formation of new lands, known as chars, and new islands. The western coastline of the delta, however, has remained practically unchanged since the 18th century.
The rivers in the West Bengal area are sluggish; little water passes down them to the sea. In the Bangladeshi delta region, the rivers are broad and have active water flow, carrying plentiful water and are connected by innumerable creeks. During the rains (June to October) the greater part of the region is flooded to a depth of 3 or more feet (at least 1 metre), leaving the villages and homes, which are built on artificially raised land, isolated above the floodwaters. Communication between settlements during this season can be only made possible by boat.
To the seaward side of the delta as a whole, there is a vast stretch of tidal mangrove forests and swampland.
In certain parts of the delta, layers of peat occurs, composed remains of forest vegetation and rice plants. In many natural depressions, known as bils, local farmers as fertilisers have used peat, still in the process of formation,, and it also has been dried and used as a domestic and industrial fuel.
The main streams of Ganges which are Alaknanda and Bhagirathi originates from a subglacial meltwater cave at the base of the Himalayan glacier known as Gangotri.

The myth of Ganges

In response to the great and steadfast penance of King Bhagīratha, the sky-river Ganges agreed to descend to earth in order to purify the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of Bhagīratha's ancestor Sagara, who had been burned by the wrath of a sage (Kapila) whom they had offended. The great ascetic god Śiva caught the falling stream in his matted hair in order to soften the blow on earth; the Ganges followed Bhagīratha to the sea, hence she flowed into the netherworld to fulfill her mission,hence forming the Ganges river. This myth explains several of the Ganges's names, including Bhāgīrathī ("she who descended at Bhagīratha's request") and Tripathagāminī ("she who flows through the three worlds"). The descent of the Ganges is the subject of a famous seventh-century rock sculpture at Mahabalipuram in South India).

Hindus beliefs

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The Ganges is considered the holiest river of India. Hindus believe that one will be purified if you touch the water of Ganges. They also go to these places as a pilgrimage to bathe in the Ganges, to drink her water, to worship the river, to chant her holy name, to cremate their loved ones, and to deposit ashes of dead ones in the river or to perform religious rites for their ancestors. Those who cannot make the trip can take the rivers sacred water in the sealed jars and bring home. Ganges water is given to participants and guests at weddings, as well as to the sick and the dying and it validates Hindu oaths.