Video: Maha Kumbha Mela 2010

Sunrise over the Ganga at Haridwar

Sunrise at Ganga (Haridwar, India), originally uploaded by Michi_Rishi.

Shivaling Peak above the Tapovan meadow

Shivaling Peak, originally uploaded by Oda's Courses.

“This photo was taken the morning of full moon in May, 2007, while walking the Char Dam pilgrimage, a holy pilgrimage undertaken by Hindus to the four sacred temples at Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath”, says the photographer under the post, and adds, Shivaling Peak, at an altitude of 6,500 meters, is snow-capped all year round, royally adorning the clear blue skies above the Tapovan meadow (4,500 meters). Tapovan is situated above Gangotri and Gomukh Glaciers, the source of the Ganges River, with its lingam-shaped top, thus associating it with the God Shiva. This meadow is the ancient home of many sadhus and yogis who retreat from the world into make-shift dwellings of natural caves and rocks, into a hermit-like seclusion to do tapas (spiritual practice) as part of the spiritual quest.”

River Ganges at Haridwar

River Ganga (Ganges) in Haridwar, India, originally uploaded by click.man.

Here is one of the most beautiful photos of the River Ganges at Haridwar, a highly revered holly place in India. It is one of the most visited and cleanest places on the route of the meandering Ganga, a favourite destination for tourists from around the world and India. Haridwar is situated quite close to New Delhi with International Airports and many hotels for foreign tourists. From New Delhi Haridwar is just a few hours by taxi and other means of transport, and it is situated in the beautiful Himalayan foothills.

Ganges River Dolphin: soons or shushuk

The Ganges Dolphin

Ganges Dolphin, originally uploaded by thomasb2.

Ganges River Dolphin (known as Soons by locals in India shushuk in Bangladesh) is a subspecies of river dolphins mainly found in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. A similar subspecies the Indus River Dolphin is found in Pakistan. These are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries and the Indus River and its tributaries Beas River and Sutlej River. The Ganges river dolphin is recognized by the government of India as its National Aquatic Animal.

These river dolphins have long pointed noses like all river dolphins with their teeth visible in the upper and lower jaws even when the mouth is closed. Adult female dolphins are larger than male dolphins. The species feeds on a variety of shrimp and fish including carp and catfish.

These river dolphins have been adversely affected by the use of the river systems by humans in by polluting them intolerably. Pollution by fertilizers, pesticides and industrial and domestic effluents are responsible for the death of many fishes and dolphin populations. Though they are protected species, they are caught by fishermen and their oil and meat are used as a liniment, as an aphrodisiac and as bait for fishing. Both the subspecies are listed by the IUCN as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species.

The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India, a 50 km stretch of Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, is the only protected area for the Gangetic dolphins. Now only few hundreds of the river dolphins are remaining and half of Gangetic dolphins found here.

Classified as “endangered” in the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species & included Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, they are among the oldest creatures in the world along with crocodiles, sharks and some turtles.

The Buriganga in Bangladesh, Dhaka's lifeline from times immemorial and where Gangetic dolphins were abundant in the past, is now threatened by pollution and encroachment, with about 80% of Dhaka's sewage flowing into the river untreated. The flow of water in the Buriganga is very low except during the monsoon season, when it is flooded. Here when the water quality is not at its worst, river dolphins can still be sighted.

Trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh-view3

trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh-view3, originally uploaded by Piyush Dunagiri.

This photo was originally uploaded by Piyush Dunagiri on 22 Feb 07, 11.24PM PDT. He has a wonderful set of photos at http://flickr.com/photos/dunagiri/sets/72157605839778400/

Source of the Ganges, Gangotri Glacier, India

Source of the Ganges, Gangotri Glacier, India, originally uploaded by Ran Chakrabarti.

Hindu religion's prayer flags on the way to the face of the Gangotri Glacier beneath the towering peaks of Bhagirathi I, II and III. Photos of Gangotri and places around it are by Ran Chakrabarti. To view the original images and to get a glimpse of the wonderful works of Ran Chakrabarti, click on the photo.

Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Ganges

Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Ganges, originally uploaded by Ran Chakrabarti.

This picture shows the Gangotri Glacier from Tapovan meadow beneath the peaks of Bhagirathi I, II and III. The River Ganga (River Ganges) originates from here.