Bhāgīrathī

geographical name

another name for the Gaṅgā River. The River Gaṅgā is a celestial river. Because this river was brought to the earth by the austerities and prayers of King Bhagīratha, she is also known as Bhāgīrathī. Initially, where the Gaṅgā starts near Gaṅgotrī, she is known as the Bhāgīrathī. When the Bhāgīrathī meets the Alakānanda, she becomes known as the Gaṅgā. In West Bengal, the Gaṅgā divides into the Padmā River and the Bhāgīrathī. The Bhāgīrathī flows south through Navadvīpa and on to the Bay of Bengal. Some distance south of Śāntipura, the Bhāgīrathī becomes known as the Huglī