Major rivers of India
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/* The Godavari River System */
[[Image:India rivers and lakes map.svg|thumb|Map of the major rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in India]]
[[Image:India flood zone map.svg|thumb|Map showing rivers and flood prone areas in India]]
The '''rivers of India''' play an important role in the lives of the Indian people. The [[river system]]s provide [[irrigation]], potable water, cheap [[transport]]ation, [[electricity]], as well as provide livelihoods for a large number of people all over the country. This easily explains why nearly all the major cities of [[India]] are located by the banks of river. The rivers also have an important role in [[Hindu]] [[mythology]] and are considered [[holy]] by all Hindus in the country.
Seven major rivers along with their numerous [[Tributary|tributaries]] make up the river system of India. Most of the rivers pour their waters into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Some of the rivers whose courses take them through the western part of the country and towards the east of the state of [[Himachal Pradesh]] empty into the [[Arabian Sea]]. Parts of [[Ladakh]], northern parts of the [[Aravalli]] range and the arid parts of the [[Thar Desert]] have inland drainage. All major rivers of India originate from one of the three main [[water divide|watershed]]s.
#The [[Himalaya]] and the [[Karakoram]] ranges
#[[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]] and [[Satpura Range|Satpura]] ranges and Chotanagpur plateau in central India
#[[Sahyadri]] or [[Western Ghats]] in western India
== Classification ==
The rivers of India can be classified on the basis of origin and on the type of basin that they form
=== On the basis of origin ===
On the basis of origin, the rivers of [[India]] can be divided into [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] rivers and Peninsular rivers.
'''Himalayan rivers'''
The main Himalayan river systems are the [[Ganges River|Ganga]], the [[Indus River|Indus]] and the [[Brahmaputra]] river systems.
The Himalayan rivers form large basins. Many rivers pass through the [[Himalayas]]. These deep valleys with steep rock sides were formed by the down - cutting of the river during the period of the Himalayan uplift. They perform intense [[Erosion|erosional activity]] up the streams and carry huge load of sand and [[silt]]. In the [[Indo-Gangetic plain|plains]], they form large meanders, and a variety of depositional features like flood plains, river cliffs and levees.
These rivers are perennial as they get water from the rainfall as well as the melting of ice. Nearly all of them create huge plains and are navigable over long distances of their course. These rivers are also harnessed in their upstream catchment area to generate [[hydroelectricity]].
'''Peninsular rivers'''
The main peninsular river systems include the [[Narmada River|Narmada]], the [[Tapti River|Tapi]], the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], the [[Krishna River|Krishna]], the [[Kaveri]] and the [[Mahanadi]] river systems.
The Peninsular rivers flow through shallow valleys. A large number of them are seasonal as their flow is dependent on rainfall. The intensity of erosional activities is also comparatively low because of the gentler slope. The hard rock bed and lack of silt and sand does not allow any significant meandering. Many rivers therefore have straight and linear courses.
These rivers provide huge opportunities for [[Hydroelectricity|hydro-electric power]].'''
==The Indus River System==
''Main article : [[Indus River]]''
The '''Indus''' originates in the northern slopes of the [[Mount Kailash|Kailash]] range in [[Tibet]] . It enters Indian territory in [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. . Several tributaries - the Zaskar, the Shyok, the [[Nubra River|Nubra]] and the [[Hunza River|Hunza]] join it in the Kashmir region. It flows through the regions of [[Ladakh]], Baltistan and Gilgit and runs between the [[Ladakh|Ladakh Range]] and the [[Zaskar Range]]. It crosses the Himalayas through a 5181 m deep gorge near Attock, lying north of the [[Nanga Parbat]] and later takes a bend to the south west direction before entering [[Pakistan]].
===Jhelum===
''Main article : [[Jhelum River]]''
The '''Jhelum''' originates in the south-eastern part of Kashmir, in a spring at Verinag. It flows into the [[Wular Lake]], which lies to the north, and then into [[Baramula]]. Between Baramula and [[Muzaffarabad]] it enters a deep [[gorge]] cut by the river in the [[Pir Panjal]] range. It has a right bank tributary the Kishanganga which joins it at Muzaffarabad. It follows the Indo-Pakistan border flowing into the plains of [[Punjab region|Punjab]], finally joining the Chenab at Trimmu.
===Chenab===
''Main article : [[Chenab River]]''
The '''Chenab''' originates from the confluence of two rivers, the [[Chandra]] and the [[Bhaga]], which themselves originate from either side of the [[Bara Lacha Pass]] in [[Lahul]]. It is also known as the Chandrabhaga in [[Himachal Pradesh]]. It runs parallel to the [[Pir Panjal Range]] in the north-westerly direction, and cuts through the range near Kishtwar. It enters the plains of Punjab near Akhnur and is later joined by the Jhelum. It is further joined by the Ravi and the Sutlej in Pakistan.
===Ravi===
''Main article : [[Ravi River]]''
The '''Ravi''' originates near the Rotang pass in the Kangra Himalayas and follows a north-westerly course. It turns to the south-west, near [[Dalhousie, India|Dalhousie]], and then cuts a gorge in the Dhaola Dhar range entering the Punjab plain near Madhopur. It flows as a part of the Indo-Pakistan border for some distance before entering Pakistan and joining the Chenab river. The total length of the river is about 720 km.
===Beas===
''Main article : [[Beas River]]''
The '''Beas''' originates in Beas Kund, lying near the Rohtang pass. It runs past [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]] and [[Kulu]], where its beautiful valley is known as the Kulu valley. It first follows a north-west path from the town of [[Mandi (India)|Mandi]] and later a westerly path, before entering the Punjab plains near Mirthal. It joins the Sutlej river near Harika, after being joined by a few tributaries. The total length of the river is 615 km.
===Sutlej===
''Main article : [[Sutlej River]]''
The '''Sutlej''' originates from the Rakas Lake, which is connected to the [[Manasarovar lake]] by a stream, in Tibet. Its flows in a north-westerly direction and enters [[Himachal Pradesh]] at the Shipki Pass, where it is joined by the [[Spiti]] river. It cuts deep gorges in the ranges of the Himalayas, and finally enters the Punjab plain after cutting a gorge in a hill range, the Naina Devi Dhar, where the [[Bhakra Dam]] having a large reservoir of water, called the Gobind Sagar, has been constructed. It turns west below Rupar and is later joined by the Beas. It enters Pakistan near Sulemanki, and is later joined by the Chenab. It has a total length of almost 1500 km.
==The Brahmaputra River System==
''Main article : [[Brahmaputra River]]''
The '''Brahmaputra''' originates in the [[Mansarovar lake]], also the source of the [[Indus]] and the [[Satluj]]. It is slightly longer than the Indus, but most of its course lies outside [[India]]. It flows eastward, parallel to the [[Himalayas]]. Reaching Namcha Barwa (7757 m), it takes a U-turn around it and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh and known as dihang. The undercutting done by this river is of the order of 5500 metres. In India, it flows through Arunachal Pradesh and [[Assam]], and is joined by several tributaries.
In Tibet, the river is known as the [[Tsangpo]]. There, it receives less volume of water and has less [[silt]]. But in India, it passes through a region of heavy rainfall and as such, the river carries a large amount of rainfall and considerable amount of silt. The Brahmaputra has a [[braided channel]] throughout most of its length in Assam, with a few large islands within the channel.
The shifting of the channels of the river is also very common. The fury of the river during rains is very high. It is known for creating havoc in Assam and [[Bangladesh]]. At the same time, quite a few big pockets suffer from drought.
==The Narmada River System==
''Main article : [[Narmada River]]''
The '''Narmada''' or '''Nerbudda''' is a [[river]] in central [[India]]. It forms the traditional boundary between [[North India]] and [[South India]], and is a total of 1,289 km (801 mi) long. Of the major rivers of peninsular India, only the Narmada, the [[Tapti]] and the [[Mahi River|Mahi]] run from east to west. It rises on the summit of [[Amarkantak]] Hill in [[Madhya Pradesh]] state, and for the first 320 [[kilometres]] (200 miles) of its course winds among the Mandla Hills, which form the head of the [[Satpura Range]]; then at [[Jabalpur]], passing through the '[[Marble Rocks]]', it enters the Narmada Valley between the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]] and Satpura ranges, and pursues a direct westerly course to the [[Gulf of Cambay]]. Its total length through the states of Madhya Pradesh, [[Maharashtra]], and [[Gujarat]] amounts to 1312 kilometres (815 miles), and it empties into the [[Arabian Sea]] in the [[Bharuch]] district of Gujarat.
==The Tapi River System==
''Main article : [[Tapti River|Tapi River]]''
The '''Tapi''' is a river of central [[India]]. It is one of the major rivers of peninsular India with the length of around 724 km, and only the [[Tapti River|Tapi River]] along with the [[Narmada river]], and the [[Mahi River]] run from east to west. It rises in the eastern [[Satpura Range]] of southern [[Madhya Pradesh]] state, and flows westward, draining Madhya Pradesh's historic [[Nimar]] region, [[Maharashtra]]'s historic [[Khandesh]] and east [[Vidarbha]] regions in the northwest corner of the [[Deccan]] Plateau and South [[Gujarat]] before emptying into the [[Gulf of Cambay]] of the [[Arabian Sea]], in the State of [[Gujarat]]. The [[Western Ghats]] or Sahyadri range starts south of the Tapti River near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The Tapi River Basin lies mostly in northern and eastern districts [[Maharashtra]] state viz, [[Amravati]], [[Akola]], [[Buldhana]], [[Washim]], [[Jalgaon]], [[Dhule]], [[Nandurbar]], [[Malegaon]], [[Nashik]] districts but also covers [[Betul]], [[Burhanpur]] districts of Madhya Pradesh and Surat district in Gujarat as well.
The principal tributaries of Tapi River are [[Purna River]], [[Girna River]], [[Panzara River]], Waghur River, Bori River and Aner River.
==The Godavari River System==
[[Image:Godavari river.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|The Godavari River]]
''Main article : [[Godavari River]]''
The river with second longest course within India, '''Godavari''' is often referred to as the Vriddh (Old) Ganga or the Dakshin (South) Ganga. The name may be apt in more ways than one, as the river follows the course of Ganga's tragedy. The river is about 1,450 km (900 miles) long. It rises at [[Trimbakeshwar]], near [[Nasik]] and [[Mumbai]] (formerly Bombay) in [[Maharashtra]] around 380 km distance from the [[Arabian Sea]], but flows southeast across south-central India through the states of chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Orissa and [[Andhra Pradesh]], and empties into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. At [[Rajahmundry]], 80 km from the coast, the river splits into two streams thus forming a very fertile [[river delta|delta]].
Like any other major rivers in India, the banks of this river also has many pilgrimage sites, Nasik, Triyambak and Bhadrachalam, being the major ones. It is a seasonal river, widened during the monsoons and dried during the summers. Godavari river water is brownish.
Some of its tributaries include [[Indravati River]], Pranahita (Combination of Penuganga and Warda), Manjira, Bindusara and Sabari. Some important urban centers on its banks include Nasik, Bhadrachalam, Rajahmundry and Narsapur. The Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat.
==The Krishna River System==
''Main article : [[Krishna River]]''
The '''Krishna''' is one of the longest [[river]]s of [[India]] (about 1300 km in length). It originates at [[Mahabaleswar]] in [[Maharashtra]], passes through [[Sangli]] and meets the sea in the [[Bay of Bengal]] at [[Hamasaladeevi]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The Krishna River flows through the states of Maharashtra, [[Karnataka]] and Andhra Pradesh.
The traditional source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of [[Mahadev]] in Mahabaleshwar.
Its most important tributary is the [[Tungabhadra River]], which itself is formed by the [[Tunga River|Tunga]] and Bhadra rivers that originate in the [[Western Ghats]]. Other tributaries include the [[Koyna River|Koyna]], [[Bhima River|Bhima]], Mallaprabha, Ghataprabha, Yerla, Warna, Dindi, [[Musi River, India|Musi]] and Dudhganga rivers.as
==The Kaveri River System==
''Main article : [[Kaveri River]]''
The '''Kaveri''' (also spelled '''Cauvery''' or '''Kavery''') is one of the great rivers of [[India]] and is considered sacred by the [[Hindus]]. This river is also called Dakshin Ganga. The headwaters are in the [[Western Ghats]] range of [[Karnataka]] state, and from Karnataka through [[Tamil Nadu]]. It empties into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Its waters have supported irrigated agriculture for centuries, and the Kaveri has been the lifeblood of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of [[South India]].
The source of the river is [[Talakaveri]] located in the Western Ghats about {{convert|5000|ft|m|-2}} above sea level. Talakaveri is a famous pligrimage and tourist spot set amidst Bramahagiri Hills near [[Madikeri]] in [[Kodagu]] district of Karnataka. Thousands of piligrims flock to the temple at the source of the river especially on the specified day known as Tula sankramana when the river water has been witnessed to gush out like a fountain at a predetermined time. It flows generally south and east for around 765 km, emptying into the Bay of Bengal through two principal mouths. Its basin is estimated to be {{convert|27700|sqmi|km2|-2}}, and it has many tributaries including [[Shimsha]], Hemavati, [[Arkavathy River|Arkavathy]], Kapila, Honnuhole, [[Lakshmana Tirtha River|Lakshmana Tirtha]], [[Kabini River|Kabini]], Lokapavani, [[Bhavani River|Bhavani]], [[Noyyal River|Noyyal]] and [[Amaravati River|Famous Amaravati]].
==The Mahanadi River System==
''Main article : [[Mahanadi River]]''
The '''Mahanadi''' is a river of eastern [[India]]. The Mahanadi rises in the [[Satpura Range]] of central India, and flows east to the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The Mahanadi drains most of the state of [[Chhattisgarh]] and much of [[Orissa]] and also [[Jharkhand]] and [[Maharashtra]]. It has a length of about 860 km.
Near the city of [[Sambalpur]], a large dam - the Hirakud Dam - is built on the river.
==Rivers in Mythology==
=== Ganga ===
{{Main|Ganga in Hinduism}}
The Ganga is personified in [[Hinduism]] as a [[goddess]]: [[Ganga in Hinduism|Maa Ganga]] (Mother Ganga). Hindu legend makes her the foster-mother of [[Karttikeya]], who was actually a son of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. Several places sacred to Hindus lie along the banks of the river Ganga, including [[Haridwar]] and [[Varanasi]]. It is believed that taking a dip in the river will wash away one's [[sin]]s, and that having [[cremation|one's ashes disposed]] of in the Ganga after [[death]] may greatly improve one's [[reincarnation|next life]] or even allow [[Moksha]] to be attained sooner. Devout Hindus make [[pilgrimage]]s to [[bathing|bathe]] in the Ganga and to [[meditate]] on its banks.
According to [[mythological]] legend, [[Brahma (god)|Brahma]] collected the sweat of [[Vishnu]]'s feet and created Ganga. Being touched by two members of the [[Trimurti]], Ganga became very holy.
Several years later, a [[Monarch|king]] named Sagara magically acquired sixty thousand sons. One day, King Sagara performed a [[ritual]] of [[worship]] for the good of the [[monarchy|kingdom]]. One of the integral parts of the ritual was a [[horse]], which was stolen by the jealous [[Indra]]. Sagara sent all his sons all over the [[earth]] to search for the horse. They found it in the nether-world (or [[Underworld]]) next to a penitent sage [[Kapila]]. Believing that the sage had stolen the horse, they hurled insults at him and caused his penance to be disturbed. The sage opened his eyes for the first time in several years, and looked at the sons of Sagara. With this glance, all sixty thousand were burnt to death. The [[soul]]s of the sons of Sagara wandered as [[ghost]]s since their final rites had not been performed. When [[Bhagiratha]], one of the descendants of Sagara, son of Dilip, learnt of this fate, he vowed to bring Ganga down to Earth so that her waters could cleanse their souls and release them to heaven.
[[Image:Ganga Mahabalipuram.jpg|thumb|230px|right|"Descent of the Ganga", Relief at [[Mahabalipuram]]]]
Bhagiratha prayed to Brahma that Ganga come down to Earth. Brahma agreed, and he ordered Ganga to go down to the Earth and then on to the nether regions so that the souls of Bhagiratha's ancestors would be able to go to [[heaven]]. The vain Ganga felt that this was insulting and decided to sweep the whole earth away as she fell from the heavens. Alarmed, Bhagiratha prayed to [[Shiva]] that he break up Ganga's descent.
Ganga arrogantly fell on Shiva's head. But Shiva calmly trapped her in his hair and let her out in small streams. The touch of Shiva further sanctified Ganga. As Ganga travelled to the nether-worlds, she created a different stream to remain on Earth to help purify unfortunate souls there.
Because of Bhagiratha's efforts Ganga descended on to earth and hence the river is also known as Bhagirathi, and the term "Bhagirath prayatna" is used to describe valiant efforts or difficult achievements.
Another name that Ganga is known by is Jahnavi. Story has it that once Ganga came down to earth, on her way to Bhagiratha, her rushing waters created turbulence and destroyed the fields and the [[sadhana]] of a sage called [[Rishi Jahnu|Jahnu]]. He was angered by this and drank up all of Ganga's waters. Upon this, the Gods prayed to Jahnu to release Ganga so that she could proceed on her mission. Pleased with their prayers, Jahnu released Ganga (her waters) from his ears. Hence the name "Jahnavi" (daughter of Jahnu) for Ganga.
=== Yamuna ===
{{main|Yami}}
According to legend the [[goddess]] of the [[river]] is the sister of the [[Hindu]] god of [[death]], [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]] and the daughter of [[Surya]], the [[Sun]] [[god]]. The [[river]] Yamuna is also connected to the [[mythology]] surrounding the [[Hindu]] god [[Krishna]].
=== Narmada ===
{{Main|Narmada River}}
In sanctity the Narmada ranks only second to the Ganges among the rivers of India in Hindu religion, and along its whole course are special places of [[pilgrimage]], including [[Maheshwar]] in Madhya Pradesh. The most meritorious act that a pilgrim can perform is to walk from the sea to the source of the river and back along the opposite bank. This pilgrimage takes from one to two years to accomplish.
The Narmada is closely associated with Lord [[Shiva]]. Naturally formed smooth stones called ''banas'', made of cryptocrytalline quartz, are found in Narmada which are known as [[Shivalinga]]s; the rare and unique markings on them are regarded by [[shaivaites]] as very auspicious. The [[Brihadeeswara Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]], [[Tamil Nadu]], constructed by [[Rajaraja Chola]], has one of the biggest Bana Shivalingas. [[Adi Shankara]] met his [[guru]] Govinda Bhagavatpada on the banks of river Narmada.
=== Kaveri ===
{{Main|Kaveri River}}
[[Image:Cauvery at Erode.JPG|thumb|Cauvery seen near Erode]]The Kaveri is known to devout [[Hindu]]s as Dakshina Ganga, or the [[Ganges]] of the south, and the whole of its course is holy ground. According to the legend there was once born upon earth a girl named Vishnumaya or Lopamudra, the daughter of [[Brahma]]; but her divine father permitted her to be regarded as the child of a mortal, called Kavera-muni. In order to obtain beatitude for her adoptive father, she resolved to become a river whose waters should purify all sin. Hence it is said that even the holy Ganges resorts underground once in the year to the source of the Cauvery, to purge herself from the pollution contracted from the crowd of sinners who have bathed in her waters.
==See also==
* [[List of rivers in India]]
* [[Punjab region| The Land of Five Rivers]]
==References==
* Bhalerao, S.M., "Bharatiya Sarita Kosh" (in Marathi), ("Encyclopedia of Indian Rivers"),
Vol. 1: Scientific Information, pages 1-788 + 16 pages of colour photographs (ISBN 978-81-89959-50-0),
Vol. 2: Scientific Information, pages 789-1660 + 16 pages of colour photographs (ISBN 978-81-89959-51-7),
Vol. 3: Scientific, Cultural, Historical Information, pages 1661-2468 + 36 pages of colour photographs (ISBN 978-81-89959-52-4), and
Book of 60 Maps (ISBN 978-81-89959-57-9).
Published Nov. 2007, Diamond Publications, 1691 Sadashiv Peth, Shankar Prasad Society, Tilak Road, Pune 411 030, INDIA, Tel +91 20 2445 2387, E-mail: diamondpublications@vsnl.net, price Rs. 5000.
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{{Waters of South Asia}}
[[Category:Rivers of India|*]]
[[Category:Lists of rivers|India]]
[[Category:India-related lists|Rivers]]