Ganga Devi was born in the Mithila region of Bihar, which is the birthplace of Madhubani art. At a young age, her mother handed her a paintbrush, and she spent the rest of her childhood immersed in the rich artistic culture of her region. She specialized in the kachni style of Madhubani, characterized by intricate line work.

Ganga Devi brought Madhubani into the international spotlight through her work, even traveling to the USA to display her artwork in Washington DC. In fact, in her group of paintings titled "America series," she displayed her impression of America through a Madhubani lens, including a painting of a roller coaster. This wasn't the only time that Madhubani fueled her self-expression. In fact, in 1987, when Ganga Devi was diagnosed with cancer, she created a powerful "Cancer series" of paintings, documenting her struggles during this time.

Ganga Devi has received a variety of awards and recognition for her Madhubani art, including a Padma Shri award (the fourth-highest civilian award in India), and a National Award for craftsmanship, both of which were given to her in 1984. Her work has also received international acclaim, garnering attention in countries like America and Japan.