River Ganga

River Alakananda (195 km) (A head-stream of river Ganga)

(Uttarakhand)
1. Alakananda Udgam: Satopanth (Bhagiratha Kharak and Satopanth Glaciers) (7000 m) (Chamoli district)
2. Alakananda flows: Badrinath (3300 m) (Chamoli district) -- (40 km from Joshimath)
3. Alakananda flows: Joshimath (1875 m) (Chamoli district) -- (10 km from Vishnu Prayag)
4. Alakananda - Dhauli-Ganga Sangam: Vishnu Prayag (1372 m) (Chamoli district) -- (72 km from Nanda Prayag)
5. Alakananda - Nandakini Sangam: Nanda Prayag (914 m) (Chamoli district) -- (22 km from Karna Prayag)
6. Alakananda - Pindari Sangam: Karna Prayag (788 m) (Chamoli district) -- (32 km from Rudra Prayag)
7. Alakananda - Mandakini Sangam: Rudra Prayag (610 m) (Rudraprayag district) -- (66 km from Dev Prayag)
8. Alakananda - Bhagirathi Sangam: Dev Prayag (690 m) (Tehri Garhwal district) -- (98 km from Haridwar)
   River Ganga originates from this Confluence

River Bhagirathi (205 km) (A head-stream of river Ganga)

(Uttarakhand)
1. Bhagirathi Udgam: Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh) (4023 m) (Uttarkashi district) -- (20 km from Gangotri)
2. Bhagirathi flows: Gangotri (3140 m) (Uttarkashi district) -- (100 km from Uttarkashi)
3. Bhagirathi flows: Uttarkashi (1158 m) (Uttarkashi district) -- (160 km from Dev Prayag)
4. Bhagirathi - Alakananda Sangam: Dev Prayag (690 m) (Tehri Garhwal district) -- (98 km from Haridwar)
   River Ganga originates from this Confluence

River Ganga (2525 km) (formed by the confluence of rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi at Dev Prayag)

(Uttarakhand)
1. Alakananda - Bhagirathi Sangam: Dev Prayag (690 m) (Tehri Garhwal district)
2. Ganga: Rishikesh (340 m) (Dehradun district)
3. Ganga: Haridwar (314 m) (Haridwar district)

(Uttar Pradesh)
4. Ganga: Shukatal (Shuka Teerth) (Muzaffarnagar district)
5. Ganga: Garh Mukteshwar (Hapur district)
6. Ganga: Ahar (Bulandshahr district) -- Avantika Devi
7. Ganga: Karanwas (Bulandshahr district) -- Kalyani Devi
8. Ganga: Belon (Bulandshahr district) -- Sarvamangala Devi
9. Ganga - Ramganga Sangam: Katri Chandapur (Hardoi district)
10. Ganga: Chaubepur (Kanpur Nagar district) -- Bandi Mata
11. Ganga: Bithoor (Kanpur Nagar district)
12. Ganga: Kanpur (Kanpur district) -- Anandeshwar
13. Ganga: Baksar (Unnao district) -- Chandrika Devi, Suratha Samadhi incident
14. Ganga: Shringverpur (Prayagraj district)
15. Ganga - Yamuna - hidden Saraswati Sangam: Prayagraj (Prayagraj district)
16. Ganga: Vindhyachal (Mirzapur district) -- Devi Vindhyavasini
17. Ganga: Kashi (Varanasi) (Varanasi district)
18. Ganga: Ghazipur (Ghazipur district) -- Pavhari Baba
19. Ganga - Ghagara Sangam: Ballia Kameshwar Dham (Anga) (Ballia district)

(Bihar)
20. Ganga - Ghaghara Sangam: Chhapra (Saran district) -- Gautam Ashram

(Jharkhand)
21. Ganga: Sultanganj (Deogarh district) -- 110 km from Baidyanath Dham

(West Bengal)
22. Ganga (Hooghly): Dakshineshwar (North 24 Parganas district) -- Devi Kali
23. Ganga (Adi Ganga): Kalighat (Kolkata district) -- Devi Kali
24. Ganga - Sagara Sangam: Ganga Sagar (South 24 Parganas district) -- Kapilmuni Ashram
    (River Ganga flows into Bay of Bengal)

1. Dev Prayag - Confluence of rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi:

Dev Prayag (690 m) (Uttarakhand Pancha Prayag)
(Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand)

- Dev Prayag is the confluence of rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi giving rise to river Ganga.

◉ Alakananda - Bhagirathi Sangam (Confluence)
▬ River Ganga flows

2. Kubjamraka Kshetra (Rishikesh) - Place of Lord Shiva and Sages:

- Rishikesh (340 m)
(Dehradun district, Uttarakhand)

Shiva: Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

- Rishikesh is the place of meditation of the Rishis.

▬ River Ganga flows → Triveni Ghat (Aarti)

(Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda)

3. Maya Kshetra (Gangadwar) (Haridwar) - Moksha Puri and place of Devi Sati and Lord Shiva:

- Haridwar (314 m) (Moksha Puri) (Kumbha Mela) (Chota Char Dham)
(Haridwar district, Uttarakhand)

Devi: Maya Devi, Devi Sati, Chandi Devi, Mansa Devi, Sureshwari Devi
Shiva: Daksheshwar Mahadev, Bilvakeshwar Mahadev
Others: Daksha Prajapati

- Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) is the place named after Devi Sati who gave up her life in the Daksha Yagna at Kankal.
- Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) is the place where Lord Shiva (Daksheshwar Mahadev) destroyed the Yagna of Daksha at Kankhal.
- Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) is the place which is the gateway to the Dev Bhoomi of Uttarakhand.
- Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) is the place where river Ganga touches the plains after flowing down from the Dev Bhoomi of Uttarakhand.
- Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) is the place where the Kumbha Mela is held every 12 years on the bank of river Ganga.

▬ River Ganga flows → Har ki Pauri (Aarti)
☗ Bilva Parvat
☗ Nila Parvat

(Shiva Purana) (Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda)
• Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka

4. Shukatal - Where sage Shuka narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam to king Parikshit:

- Shukatal (Shuka Teerth) (Shukra Teerth)
(Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Shringaverapura is the place through which the holy river Ganga flows.
▬ River Ganga flows
☘ Akshay Vat

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Vishnu & Shukatal:
- Shukatal is identified with the place where sage Shuka narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam to king Parikshit during the final days of the king.

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Sages & Shukatal:

Shuka
- Shukatal is identified with the place where sage Shuka narrated the Srimad Bhagavatam to king Parikshit during the final days of the king.

5. Bithoor - Place of Lord Brahma and where Devi Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusha:

- Bithoor
(Kanpur Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Bithoor is the place through which the holy river Ganga flows.
▬ River Ganga flows
• Brahmavart Ghat

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Brahma & Bithoor:
- Bithoor is identified with the place where Lord Brahma performed a Yagna during creation. The Brahmavart Ghat of Bithoor has the Shiva Linga of Brahmeshwar Mahadev.
• Brahmavart Ghat → Brahmeshwar Mahadev

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Sita & Bithoor:
(Valmiki Ramayana - Uttara Khanda)
- Bithoor is identified with the place of Valmiki Ashrama where Devi Sita stayed and gave birth to Lava and Kusha.
• Valmiki Ashram → Sita giving birth to Lava and Kusha

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Sages & Bithoor:

Valmiki
- Bithoor is identified with the place of Valmiki Ashrama where Devi Sita stayed and gave birth to Lava and Kusha.
• Valmiki Ashram → Hermitage

Dhruva
- Bithoor is identified with the place where Dhruva meditated.
• Dhruva Teela

6. Shringaverapura Kshetra - Where Sri Rama visited during forest exile

- Shringverpur
(Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Shringaverapura is the place through which the holy river Ganga flows.
▬ River Ganga flows

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Rama & Shringaverapura:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
- Shringaverapura is the place where Sri Rama visited during forest exile and met Guha, the king of the Nishadas.
• Ram Shayan Ashram → Rama meeting Guha
• Ram Chaura Ghat → Rama crossing Ganga

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Sages & Shringaverapura:

Rishyashringa
- Shringaverapura is the place where Shringi Rishi is said to have lived. The name Shringaverapura is said to have been derived from the name of the Rishi. Shringaverapura has a temple of Shringi Rishi along with his wife Shanta Devi.
• Shringi Rishi Temple

7. Prayaga Kshetra - Triveni Sangam, Prayaga Shakti Peetha and where Sri Rama visited during forest exile:

- Prayagraj (Kumbha Mela) (Shakti Peetha)
(Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
◉ Ganga - Yamuna - hidden Saraswati Triveni Sangam (Confluence) → Ram Ghat (Ganga Aarti) -- Balua Ghat (Yamuna Aarti)
☘ Akshay Vat

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Triveni Sangam & Prayaga:
(Matsya Purana)
- Prayaga is the place with the Triveni Sangam (Ganga - Yamuna - Saraswati Sangam).
• Triveni Sangam → Greatness of Triveni Sangam

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Akshay Vat & Prayaga:
(Matsya Purana)
- Prayaga is the place with the great Akshay Vat.
• Akshay Vat → Greatness of Akshay Vata
• Patalpuri Temple

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Trinity & Prayaga:
(Matsya Purana)
- Prayaga is the place where the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara) abides. Lord Brahma in the north of Pratishthana, Lord Vishnu in the form of Beni Madhava and Lord Shiva in the form of Akshaya Vata.
• Pratishthana → Lord Brahma
• Beni Madhav → Lord Vishnu
• Someshwar Mahadev → Lord Shiva

- The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
• Nag Vasuki
• Samudra Koop

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Vishnu & Prayaga:
- Prayaga is the place where Lord Vishnu abides in twelve forms (Dwadash Madhava).
(1) Shankha Madhava
(2) Chakra Madhava
(3) Gada Madhava
(4) Padma Madhava
(5) Ananta Madhava
(6) Bindu Madhava
(7) Manohar Madhava
(8) Asi Madhava
(9) Sankashta Hara Madhava
(10) Adi Beni Madhava
(11) Adi Madhava
(12) Sri Beni Madhava

- Prayaga has the famous temple of Sri Balarama.
• Baldev

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Devi & Prayaga:
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
- Prayaga is the place where Devi abides as Prayaga Shakti Peetha.
• Devi Alopi → Prayaga Shakti Peetha
• Devi Lalita → Prayaga Shakti Peetha
• Devi Kalyani

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Rama & Prayaga:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
- Prayaga is the place where Sri Rama visited the Bharadwaja Ashrama during his forest exile.
• Bharadwaja Ashram → Rama meeting Bharadwaja

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Hanuman & Prayaga:
- Prayaga is the place where Bhakta Hanuman abides as Lete Hanumanji.
• Lete Hanumanji

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Sages & Prayaga:

Bharadwaja
• Bharadwaja Ashram → Rama meeting Bharadwaja

8. Vindhyachala Kshetra - Where Devi abides as Vindhyavasini:

- Vindhyachal
(Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh)
(Vindhya Region, Madhya Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Vindhyachal is the place through which rivers Ganga and Narmada flows.
☗ Vindhya Mountain Range
▬ River Ganga flows (UP side) → Pakka Ghat (Aarti)
• Pakka Ghat
▬ River Ojhala flows (UP side)
▬ River Karnavati flows (UP side)
▬ River Narmada flows (MP side)

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Devi & Vindhyachala:
(Vindhyachala Mahatmya)
- Vindhyachal is the place where Devi abides as Trikona Yantra - as Devi Vindhyavasini (Mahalakshmi), Devi Ashtabhuja (Mahasaraswati), Devi Kali Khoh (Mahakali)
• Devi Vindhyavasini (Mahalakshmi)
• Devi Ashtabhuja (Mahasaraswati)
• Devi Kali Khoh (Mahakali)
→ Vindhyavasini residing as Maha-Trikona Yantra

• Sita Kund → Sita Kunda
• Devi Tara
• Devi Kankali

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Shiva & Vindhyachala:
(Vindhyachala Mahatmya)
- Vindhyachal is the place where Lord Shiva abides in several forms like Tarakeshwar, Rameshwar etc.
- Vindhyachal is the place where Lord Vishnu performed penance and got the darshan of Lord Shiva.
- Vindhyachal is the place where Devi Lakshmi performed penance and got the darshan of Lord Shiva.
- Vindhyachal is the place where Lord Vamana worshipped Lord Shiva (Vamanesha Mahadev).
• Tarakeshwar → Taraka Kunda and Tarakeshwara Linga
• Rameshwar
• Mukteshwar
• Budhenath
• Vamandev

• Batuk Bhairav
• Kal Bhairav
• Lal Bhairav

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Rama & Vindhyachala:
(Vindhyachala Mahatmya)
- Vindhyachal is the place where Sri Rama performed the shraddha of his father (Rama Gaya).
• Rama Gaya → Rama Gaya

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Krishna & Vindhyachala:
• Sakshi Gopal

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Hanuman & Vindhyachala:
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman

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Sages & Vindhyachala:

- Vindhyachal is the place where various sages performed penance.

Saptarshis

Sanakadi Rishis

Maricyadi Rishis

Natha Yogis
• Goraksha Kund
• Matsyendra Kund

9. Kashi Kshetra - Moksha Puri, Created by Lord Shiva, Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga and Varanasi Shakti Peetha:

- Kashi (Varanasi) (Moksha Puri) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha)
(Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Kashi is the place through which the holy river Ganga flows.
▬ River Ganga flows → Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat (Aarti)
- Assi Ghat
- Harishchandra Ghat
- Kedar Ghat
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Meer Ghat
- Lalita Ghat (Vishwanatha Temple)
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Scindia Ghat
- Panchganga Ghat
- Trilochan Ghat
- Prahlad Ghat
... and many others
▬ River Varana flows
▬ River Asi flows

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Shiva & Kashi:
(Shiva Purana)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
- Kashi is the place created by Lord Shiva and where Lord Shiva abides as Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva created Kalabhairava who plucked the fifth head of Lord Brahma when he became arrogant.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva made Yaksha Hrishikesha as Dandapani (with assistants Sambhrama and Vibhrama) after his penance (to protect the good and feed the needy).
• Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga → Creation of Kashi -- Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga
• Kalabhairava Temple → Creation of Kalabhairava
• Dandapani Temple → Appearance of Dandapani
• Adi Mahadev Temple → Near Trilochan Ghat
• Avimukteshwara Linga → Within the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
• Chandreshwar Temple → Within Siddheshwari Temple near Schindia Ghat
• Dharmeshwar Temple → Near Meer Ghat
• Kameshwar Temple → North of Trilochan quite close to Prahlad Ghat
• Kedareshwar Temple → Near Kedar Ghat
• Krittivasheshwar Temple → Daranagar area between Vishwanath and Mahamrityunjay Temples
• Manikarnikeshwar Temple → Ghasi Tola quite close to Manikarnika Ghat
• Omkareshwar Temple → Near Matsyodari or Macchodari area
• Ratneshwar Temple → Vishweshwarganj close to Mahamrityunjay Temple
• Trilochan Temple → Near Trilochan Ghat
• Vireshwar Temple → Near Schindia Ghat
• Vishwakarmeshwar Temple → Within the Vireshwar Temple near Schindia Ghat
• Bhairava Temples → Establishment of 8 Bhairavas

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Devi & Kashi:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
- Kashi is the place where Devi abides as Varanasi Shakti Peetha.
- Kashi is the place where Devi abides in other forms like Devi Annapoorna, Devi Vishwabahu, Devi Durga etc.
- Kashi is the place where the 64 Yoginis abide.
• Vishalakshi Temple → Varanasi Shakti Peetha
• Annapoorna Temple → A famous Temple
• Vishwabahu Temple → Establishment of Devis
• Durga Temple → A famous Temple mentioned in Kashi Khanda
• Yogini Temple → Appearance of 64 Yoginis
• Sankata Temple → A famous Temple
• Siddheshwari Temple → A famous Temple

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Vishnu & Kashi:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu abides as Bindu Madhava.
• Bindu Madhav Temple → Appearance of Lord Vishnu

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Ganesha & Kashi:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
- Kashi is the place where Lord Ganesha abides in 56 forms, the most famous of which is Dhundiraj Vinayaka.
• Dhundiraj Vinayaka Temple → Appearance of 56 Vinayakas

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Surya & Kashi:
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
- Kashi is the place where Surya deva abides in 12 forms, the most famous of which is Lolarka.
• Lolarka Kund → Appearance of 12 Adityas

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Hanuman & Kashi:
- Kashi is the place with the famous Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple → A famous Temple

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Sages & Kashi:

Agastya
- Kashi is the place where sage Agastya had his hermitage before he moved to South to supress the rising Vindhya mountain.

Jaigishavya
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva gave darshan to sage Jaigishavya for his austerity of devotion towards Him.

Agnibindu
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu gave darshan to sage Agnibindu for his penance and devotion towards Him (Bindu Madhava).

Shukracharya
- Kashi is the place where sage Shukracharya performed penance and got the Mritasanjeevani Vidya from Lord Shiva.

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Saints & Kashi:

Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?)
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva appeared before Sri Adi Shankaracharya as a chandala with four dogs in order to test him.

Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE)
- Kashi is the place where Sri Trailanga Swami lived for many years and performed many miraculous deeds.

Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE)
- Kashi is the place where Baba Lokenath lived for sometime as a disciple of Sri Trailanga Swami.

Ramakrishna Paramahamsha (1836 - 1886 CE)
- Kashi is the place where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha visited during his pilgrimage and met Sri Trailanga Swami. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha also had a vision of Lord Shiva imparting the Taraka mantra.

10. Ballia (Anga Kshetra) - Where Sri Rama visited with sage Vishwamitra:

- Ballia (Anga)
(Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh)

Sacred Geography:
- Anga is the place located near the confluence of rivers Ganga and Sarayu.
◉ Ganga - Sarayu Sangam (Confluence)

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Shiva & Anga:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
- Ballia Kameshwar Dham (Karodham) is identified with the place where Lord Shiva burnt Kama deva and made him Ananga (bodiless).
- Ballia Kameshwar Dham is identified with the Anga of the Puranas.
• Kameshwar Dham (Karodham) → Shiva burning Kama deva

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Rama & Anga:
(Valmiki Ramayana)
- Ballia Lakhaneshwar Diha is identified with the place where Sri Lakshmana installed a Shiva Linga.
- Ballia Subahu Diha is identified with the place where demons Subahu and Mareecha lived in villages 2 km apart.
- Ballia Kameshwar Dham is the place where Sri Rama visited with sage Vishwamitra and heard the story of Lord Shiva burning Kama deva.
- Ballia Bharoli and Ujagar (Ujiyar) are identified with places (2 km apart) where Sri Rama took rest before going towards Tataka Vanam. Sage Vishwamitra woke Sri Rama at Bharoli village. Then they started walking. Sri Rama saw the sunrise at Ujagar (or Ujiyar) village.
• Lakhaneshwar Diha → Lakshmana installing Shiva Lingam
• Subahu Diha → House of demons Subahu and Mareecha
• Kameshwar Dham (Karodham) → Shiva burning Kama deva
• Bharoli and Ujagar (Ujiyar) → Rama taking rest

11. Dakshineshwar Bhavatarini Kali - A famous temple of Devi Kali associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha:

- Dakshineshwar Bhavatarini Kali
(North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal)
Devi: Devi Bhavatarini Kali
▬ River Ganga (Hooghly) flows

12. Kalighat Kali - Kalipitha Shakti Peetha:

- Kalighat Kali (Shakti Peetha)
(Kolkata district, West Bengal)
Devi: Devi Kali
▬ River Ganga (Adi Ganga) (a canal to river Hooghly)
◼ Kundupukur Tank (where the toe of Devi Sati was discovered)
• Kalipitha Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Kalipitha Shakti Peetha where the Daksha Pada Anguli (Fingers of Right Foot) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Kalika and the Bhairava is called Nakuleesha.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 27)

13. Ganga Sagar Kshetra - Ganga-Sagara Sangam and Kapila Muni Ashram:

- Ganga Sagar
(South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal)
Sages: Kapil Muni Ashram
◉ Ganga - Sagara Sangam (Confluence)
◼ Kapil Kund