The Ganges River at the break of dawn, in Varanasi (Benares), in northern India. Both the river and the city are considered sacred by Hindus (fig.).

Though the source of the river is in an unknown place high in the mountains, it is first referred to by the name Ganges at Dev Prayag, a place located at the confluence of two rivers, known only by their local names as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi.