The Ganges, or Ganga, is a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. It is the most sacred river to Hindus and is worshipped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism. Originating from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, it flows 2,525 kilometers into the Bay of Bengal, forming the Ganges Delta, the largest delta in the world. The river basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated regions on Earth, supporting hundreds of millions of people. Despite its spiritual significance, the Ganges faces extreme pollution challenges from industrial waste and sewage. It is also home to the endangered Ganges river dolphin, one of the few freshwater dolphin species in the world. The river's flow is heavily influenced by the monsoon season, which can cause both vital life-giving floods and devastating natural disasters.