What Is the Ganga River Called Before Devprayag?

Last Updated: Sep 23, 2026, 10:30 IST

What is the Ganga River called before Devprayag? Know why the river is called Bhagirathi before it meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag and becomes the Ganga.

What Is the Ganga River Called Before Devprayag?
What Is the Ganga River Called Before Devprayag?

The Ganga is one of India’s most important rivers. River Ganga is not called the Ganga throughout its upper Himalayan course. Before reaching Devprayag in Uttarakhand the river is known as the Bhagirathi. At Devprayag the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda and forms a confluence and is known as the Ganga from there. Keep reading to know in detail. 

What Is the Ganga River Called Before Devprayag?

Before Devprayag the river is called the Bhagirathi River. The Bhagirathi is one of the two major rivers that meet at Devprayag. The other major river is the Alaknanda. The Bhagirathi flows through the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda. After this confluence, the combined river is known as the Ganga.

Where Does the Bhagirathi River Originate?

The Bhagirathi is associated with the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. The river emerges from the Gangotri Glacier region. Gaumukh is known as the main source of the Bhagirathi. The river then flows through the Himalayan valleys of Uttarakhand. It passes through places including Gangotri and Uttarkashi before reaching Devprayag.

What Is Gaumukh?

Gaumukh is the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. It is located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The Bhagirathi emerges from the Gangotri Glacier at this location.

Where Does the Bhagirathi Meet the Alaknanda?

The Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet at Devprayag. Devprayag is located in Uttarakhand. It is one of the important river confluences in the Himalayan region. The meeting point of the two rivers is known as the Devprayag Sangam. After the confluence the river is called the Ganga.

What Are the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand?

The Alaknanda is associated with five major confluences in Uttarakhand, collectively known as Panch Prayag.

Panch Prayag Confluence Details
Vishnuprayag Alaknanda meets the Dhauliganga
Nandprayag Alaknanda meets the Nandakini
Karnaprayag Alaknanda meets the Pindar
Rudraprayag Alaknanda meets the Mandakini
Devprayag Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi

What Is the Difference Between Bhagirathi and Ganga?

Feature Bhagirathi Ganga
Location Upper Himalayan course Downstream from Devprayag
Important point Flows towards Devprayag Continues from Devprayag
Major confluence Meets Alaknanda Formed after their confluence
Name used Bhagirathi Ganga
State Uttarakhand Flows through several Indian states

Ganga River Journey From Source to Devprayag

The upper journey can be understood in simple steps:

Location / Stage Significance
Gangotri Glacier Source region of the Bhagirathi
Gaumukh Traditional source of the Bhagirathi
Gangotri Important pilgrimage location
Uttarkashi Major town along the Bhagirathi
Devprayag Bhagirathi meets Alaknanda
After Devprayag River is known as the Ganga

Jasreet Kaur
Jasreet Kaur

Executive - Editorial

Jasreet Kaur is a journalist with over 3 years of experience in digital media and news content creation. She specializes in covering Trending News, including major National and International developments, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and reader-friendly stories. Prior to this, she worked with Zee News as a Content Writer, where she gained extensive experience in news reporting and content strategy. Driven by curiosity, credibility, and a passion for impactful journalism, Jasreet aims to contribute to informed public discourse while supporting positive growth in organizations, society, and the world.

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First Published: Sep 23, 2026, 10:30 IST

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