India is blessed with a vast network of rivers, which play a crucial role in the country's economy, culture, and ecology. Here are some of the major rivers in India:
1. Ganges (Ganga): The Ganges is one of the most sacred rivers in India, revered by Hindus as a goddess. It originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows through several states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges is known for its cultural and religious significance, supporting a large population along its banks. It has a total length of approximately 2,525 kilometers (1,569 miles), with the majority of its length flowing through India.
2. Yamuna: The Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganges and originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas. It flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, before merging with the Ganges at Allahabad (Prayagraj). The Yamuna is also considered sacred and supports agriculture and urban settlements along its course. It has a total length of approximately 1,376 kilometers (855 miles).
3. Brahmaputra: The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers in India and originates from the Tibetan plateau. It flows through Tibet, India (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam), and Bangladesh, where it is known as the Jamuna, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra is known for its vast basin, fertile plains, and rich biodiversity. It has a total length of approximately 3,800 kilometers (2,361 miles), with around 916 kilometers (569 miles) flowing through India.
4. Indus: The Indus is one of the longest rivers in Asia, originating from the Tibetan plateau and flowing through India (Jammu and Kashmir) and Pakistan, where it forms the backbone of the Indus Valley Civilization. The Indus is a lifeline for agriculture and irrigation in the arid regions of northwestern India and Pakistan. It has a total length of approximately 3,180 kilometers (1,976 miles), with around 1,114 kilometers (692 miles) flowing through India.
5. Godavari: The Godavari is the second-longest river in India and originates from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. It flows through several states, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari is known for its scenic landscapes, fertile deltas, and cultural significance. It has a total length of approximately 1,465 kilometers (910 miles).
6. Krishna: The Krishna River originates from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the major rivers in South India and supports agriculture, hydropower generation, and urban settlements along its course. It has a total length of approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles).
7. Narmada: The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The Narmada is known for its marble rocks, scenic gorges, and religious significance. It has a total length of approximately 1,312 kilometers (815 miles).
8. Tapi – The Tapti River is a river in central India located to the south of the Narmada river that flows westwards before draining into the Arabian Sea. The river has a length of around 724 km and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
9. Mahanadi - The Mahanadi River is a major river in East Central India. It drains an area of around 132,100 square kilometres and has a total length of 858 kilometres (533 miles). Mahanadi is also known for the Hirakud Dam which was the first major multipurpose river valley project after India's independence in 1947.
10. Kaveri - The Kaveri (also known as Cauvery, the anglicised name) is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri River rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka, at an elevation of 1,341 m above mean sea level and flows for about 800 km (497 miles) before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal. It reaches the sea in Poompuhar, in Mayiladuthurai district.
These are just a few examples of the major rivers in India. There are many other rivers, both large and small, that contribute to the country's water resources, agriculture, industry, and cultural heritage.
