Understanding Bhagirathi River Tributaries

The Bhagirathi River is a significant river in the Indian Himalayas. It is considered one of the two headstreams of the sacred Ganges (Ganga) River, the other being the Alaknanda River. The Bhagirathi originates from the Gangotri Glacier at Gaumukh.

Major Tributaries of the Bhagirathi River

Several rivers join the Bhagirathi along its course before it merges with the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganges. Identifying the major tributaries is key to understanding the river system.

Let's examine the given options:

• Dhauliganga: The Dhauliganga is a major tributary of the Alaknanda River. It joins the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag. Therefore, it is not a tributary of the Bhagirathi.
• Bhilangna: The Bhilangna River is indeed a significant tributary of the Bhagirathi River. It originates from the snout of the Khatling Glacier. The confluence of the Bhilangna and Bhagirathi rivers occurs at Tehri. This confluence point was submerged by the construction of the Tehri Dam.
• Pindar: The Pindar River is another important river in Uttarakhand, but it is a tributary of the Alaknanda River. It meets the Alaknanda at Karnaprayag. Thus, it is not a tributary of the Bhagirathi.
• Bishenganga: The Bishenganga is a smaller river, and it is a tributary of the Dhauliganga, which itself is a tributary of the Alaknanda. Therefore, it is not a direct or major tributary of the Bhagirathi.

Analyzing the Options and Identifying the Bhagirathi Tributary

Based on the geographical locations and confluence points of these rivers, the Bhilangna River is the correct answer as it directly joins the Bhagirathi River as a major tributary at Tehri.

Here is a summary of the confluences:

The question asks for a major tributary of the Bhagirathi River. Out of the options provided, only the Bhilangna River fits this description, joining the Bhagirathi at Tehri.