Definition

Proper noun: - A major river in South Asia: The Ganges River is a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. It originates in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and flows south and east, eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Ganges River is a vital water source for millions of people.
  • Pilgrims travel from afar to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River.
  • The plains surrounding the Ganges River are extremely fertile.

Advanced Usage

• "The Ganges": Often referred to simply as "the Ganges," without the word "River."

  • She went to Varanasi to see the Ganges.

• "Ganges basin" or "Ganges plain": Refers to the geographical area drained by the river.

  • Agriculture in the Ganges basin is highly productive.

Variants and Related Words

• Ganga: The Hindi name for the Ganges River, frequently used in religious and cultural contexts.

  • The goddess Ganga is the personification of the river.

• Gangetic (adj): Relating to the Ganges River.

  • The Gangetic plain is a key region for wheat cultivation.

Synonyms

• The Ganges: The most common direct synonym.
• Ganga: The native name.

Related Phrases

• "To take a dip in the Ganges": Refers to the ritual of bathing in the river for spiritual purification, a common practice for Hindu devotees.
  • His greatest wish was to take a dip in the Ganges at sunrise.

Related Idioms

• "As holy as the Ganges": Used to describe something considered deeply sacred or pure (though not a fixed, common idiom, the concept is culturally understood).
  • To many, this tradition is as holy as the Ganges itself.

Noun

1. an Asian river; rises in the Himalayas and flows east into the Bay of Bengal; a sacred river of the Hindus