The Return Of The Ganga River Cruise In Bihar

A land deeply immersed in history and spiritual importance, Bihar, in eastern India, is also known as the land of monasteries, which were also universities such as Nalanda and Vikramshila. A state crisscrossed by many rivers, many of which are tributaries to the mighty Ganga, which has been revered for ages by the people of Bihar. Ganga enters the state at Chausa, near Buxar, after its confluence with the Karmanasa river.

Later, it is joined by the local rivers Ghaghra, Gandak, and the Son, in Patna district. Further down, as it flows, the Punpun river contributes to the Ganga, the Koshi joins it at the Khagaria district, and the Harohar and the Kiul rivers come to it near Surajgarha, in the district Lakhisarai. The cities and towns of Patna, Barh, Mokama, Begusarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Pirpainti, and Saheb Ganj, lie on the banks of the Ganga before it flows into West Bengal, where it is called the Hoogly.

Hop On To It

You will soon have the opportunity to take a leisurely cruise on the river, as the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) recently announced that the spotlight would be brought back onto the river by way of the re-launch of the Ganga River Cruise. First launched in 2009, the MV Gangavihar river cruise was stopped due to security concerns about the ship's safety. Some technical faults had been discovered, the cruise was grounded, and the vessel was sent to Kolkata for repairs under the watchful eye of the government-chosen Sandhya Samrat Construction and Service Private Limited.

Now, after a gap of six years, BSTDC says that the MV Gangavihar, also well-known as the floating restaurant, will resume operations in mid-January. 

Equipped with a luxe cabin, which has a seating capacity of 75, and opens onto the broad deck, the cruise ship has had engineers from IIT Kharagpur working on its repairs since September 2022 to restore it to its fully functional capabilities. All the details about the cruise will soon be released by the BSTDC and will include information about hiring the MV Gangavihar for private functions and celebrations. Currently, there is a booking counter at Gandhi Ghat, at Hotel Kautilya, Patna. 

Did you know that the Ganga River basin is one of the world's most fertile and densely populated regions Plus, several species of fish find a home in the Ganga, along with the river dolphins. On the cruise, keep an eye out for the Ganges River dolphin, which has been declared India's National Aquatic Animal.

For more information, check the website.