International Journal of Law

The Ganges begins at thernconfluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers at Devprayag. The Bhagirathirnis considered to be the true source in Hindu culture and mythology, althoughrnthe Alaknanda is longer. The headwaters of the Alakananda are formed byrnsnowmelt from such peaks as Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Kamet. The Bhagirathi risesrnat the foot of Gangotri Glacier, at Gaumukh, at an elevation of 3,892 m (12,769rnft).Although many small streams comprise the headwaters of the Ganges, the sixrnlongest and their five confluences are considered sacred. The six headstreamsrnare the Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini, and Bhagirathirnrivers. The five confluences, known as the Panch Prayag, are all along thernAlaknanda. They are, in downstream order: Vishnuprayag, where the Dhauligangarnjoins the Alaknanda; Nandprayag, where the Nandakini joins; Karnaprayag, wherernthe Pindar joins; Rudraprayag, where the Mandakini joins; and, finally,rnDevprayag, where the Bhagirathi joins the Alaknanda to form the Ganges Riverrnproper.