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Ganga its origin at the source Gaumukh (the shape of the ice forming like a cow's mouth), gushing from the depths of Gangotri glacier. The Glacier is high and mighty at a height of4255 m above sea level and is approx 24 km in length and 7-8 km in width. It is known as Bhagirathi after King –Bhagirath in it’s initial phase of long journey. It emerges in the ice caves of Gangotri glacier and gushes down to join river 'Alaknanda' and becomes Ganga. The ancient holy scriptures are full of legends associated with river Ganga.

Father to 60,000 sons King Sagar defeated all the asuras (daemons) on the earth and planned to accomplish  Ashwamedha Yagya to reinforce his supremacy. As was customary and prevalent in ancient times, he sent his horse across the earth accompanied by his sons toGods for their blessings. Frightened and insecure, The King of Heaven, 

Glaciers
Pindari 
The Glacier Pindari is surrounded by many a lofty peaks and daunting heights at Nanda Khat. Even though it is at a height of 3353m, accessing it is not difficult at all.
This glacier is near the Nanda Khat and other lofty peaks. The glacier is next to a lush expansive open meadow and lofty moraine made of gravel, mud and blocks of snow. If you’re planning to reach the Glacier, trekking is the way.
From Kapkote, the last bus terminus, the trekking route is meanders through waterfalls, pine forests, meadows and with simply awe inspiring views of pristine nature and peaks.

Gangotri 
The gangotri glacier is even higher at a height of 4255m. Starting from Chaukhamba cluster of snow peaks near Badrinath and extends to Gaumukh 

Khatling
This glacier is positioned to be on sideways, and gushes out river Bhilangana from the center.  The myth has it that a beautiful Bhil damsel attempted to seduce and win over the love of the meditating Shiva; and having been rebuffed by Him, she was reduced into liquid form, which in turn became the river Bhilangana. The other snow peaks in the vicinity of the glacier are the Jogin,  Prishtwan, Kirti stambh, Barte kanta, Meru etc. Made of white quartz, the prishtwan glimmers like a crystal of white snow. The amazing trek of Khatling glacier beginning from ghuttu, the last bus terminus, is interspersed with dense green forest and enchanting meadows, excellent spots for camping, alluring waterfalls and streams.
 

However, industry is not solely responsible for the scale of pollution. Another noteworthy and major source of pollution continues to be sheer volume of untreated raw sewage and waste estimated at nearly 1 billion litres per day. Inadequate cremation procedures also add to the magnitude with of the problem with a large no. of partially burnt or un-burnt corpses finding their way down the Ganga, in addition to livestock carcass. 

The Ganga Action Plan is an initiative by the Indian Government, and attempts to build a number of waste treatment plants, under Dutch and British support, in collaboration with a number of NGO’s and voluntary organizations. Much to everyone’s surprise, the Hindu political parties in India are very inactive in the efforts to clean up the Ganga, as they would rather neglect and ignore issues which don’t feature in their general religious agenda. After having spent over $33 million to deal with the overwhelming sewage problem India's government has spent, the scale and scope of pollution goes unabated with further increase in population and industry. Nevertheless there was a ray of hope as of 2006, with satellite images showing increased water clarity in the river.All rights reserved.