<p>From <a href="http://www.iitk.ac.in/infocell/iitk/newhtml/storyoftheweek51.htm">How Old is Our Ganga</a>, the Ganges "formed as a consequence of the India-Asia collision around 55 million years ago resulting in the formation of the Himalaya. This provided a large continental mass which together with large rainfall in the catchment area and long term erosion generated /enlarged the river valleys".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-30T12:39:42.203Z
2014-05-30T12:39:42.203Z
DavePhD
<blockquote>
  <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges#Avatarana_or_Descent_of_the_Ganges">Avatarana or Descent of the Ganges</a> (extracted from Wikipedia):<br>
  "In late May or early June every year, Hindus celebrate the avatarana
  or descent of the Ganges from heaven to earth."</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There are several Hindu versions for the birth of the river Ganges.<br>
I'm here interested in the scientific version:  </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Question</strong>: When (and how) this river was born (geological period)?</p>
</blockquote>

<geology><hydrology><rivers>
What's the geological period of the birth of the river Ganges?
Sebastien Palcoux
# What's the geological period of the birth of the river Ganges?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-05-29)

> [Avatarana or Descent of the Ganges](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges#Avatarana_or_Descent_of_the_Ganges) (extracted from Wikipedia):  
> "In late May or early June every year, Hindus celebrate the avatarana
> or descent of the Ganges from heaven to earth."

There are several Hindu versions for the birth of the river Ganges.  
I'm here interested in the scientific version:

> **Question**: When (and how) this river was born (geological period)?

**Tags:** geology, hydrology, rivers


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-05-30. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

From [How Old is Our Ganga](http://www.iitk.ac.in/infocell/iitk/newhtml/storyoftheweek51.htm), the Ganges "formed as a consequence of the India-Asia collision around 55 million years ago resulting in the formation of the Himalaya. This provided a large continental mass which together with large rainfall in the catchment area and long term erosion generated /enlarged the river valleys".


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