LIST OF RIVERS IN INDIA

A River System is a network of interconnected rivers and streams that drain into a common body of water such as a lake, sea, or ocean. river system consists of the main river, its tributaries, and the watersheds that divide them. There are 10 major river systems  and 400 rivers approximately flowing across the country. Indian river system is categorized into four groups: the Himalayan rivers, the Deccan rivers, the Coastal rivers, and the rivers of the inland drainage basin. Most of these rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal. Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni, Ghaggar, Sharavati are the only rivers which flows into the Arabian Sea as they traverse the western part of the country.

Rivers are divided two types based on direction.

East flowing rivers:

  • They are longer 
  • They form deltas
  • They have Large number of Tributaries
  • Larger Catchment areas
  • More fertile
  • Eg: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna etc

West flowing rivers:

  • They are shorter
  • They form estuaries
  • They have very less tributaries
  • Smaller Catchment areas
  • less fertile
  • Narmada, Tapti, Mahi etc

What is the Difference between Delta and Estuary:

DELTA AND ESTHUARY

Delta Estuary
Triangle shape Funnel shape
Highly fertile less fertile
Deltas are formed in the regions of low tides Estuaries are formed in High tides
Deltas are formed by sediments deposition carried by rivers They are formed by mixing of fresh water and salt water.

Classification of Indian Rivers:

Indian rivers are classified into four major groups:

  • Himalayan Rivers (Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra)

  • Deccan Rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri)

  • Coastal Rivers (Sabarmati)

  • Inland Drainage Rivers (Luni, Ghaggar)

Major River Systems in India:

  • Indus River System
  • Brahmaputra River System
  • Ganga River System
  • Yamuna River System
  • Narmada River System
  • Tapti River System
  • Godavari River System
  • Krishna River System
  • Cauveri River System
  • Mahanadi River System

List of Indian Rivers And Their Tributaries:

A Tributary is a freshwater stream or river that flows into and joins a main river instead of heading directly into an ocean. Tributaries, also called effluents, do not flow directly into the ocean. Many rivers are formed from tributaries. Each tributary’s watershed makes up the larger watershed of the mainstream.

MAJOR RIVERS INDIA

Name of RiverLength (Km)StatesOriginTributaries
Indus3180 (1114 India)Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (mostly in Pakistan)Kailash Mountains Tibet (Near Manasasarovar)Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Zaskar River, Suru River, Soan River, Panjnad River,Gomal,,Gilgit, Hunza, Kabul, Kurram
Brahmaputra/Dihang/Tsangpo2900 (916 India)Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West BengalKailash Mountains

Angsi Glacier, Tibet (China)
Dibang, Lohit, Dhansiri, Subansiri, Manas, Tista
Ganga2525Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West BengalGangotri Glacier, UttarakhandRamganga, Gomti, Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi, Mahannda, Yamuna, Son,Mahananda,Gomti, Tamsa, Punpun, Damodar
Godavari/Dakshin Ganga1465Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, OdishaTrimbakeshwar, MaharashtraVarana, Pravara, Sindhapana, Dakshina Purna, Indravati, Manjira Purna, and Girna, Pranhita, Penganga, Dudhana,Sabari
Krishna1400Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra PradeshMahabaleshwar, MaharashtraTungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Bhima, Vedavati, Koyna, Warna, Dindi, Musi, Dudhganga,Verla, Parana, Panchganga, Venna, Malaprabha,
Yamuna1376Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar PradeshYamunotri Glacier, UttarakhandChambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Sharda
Narmada1312Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, GujaratMaikal Hills Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya PradeshKolar, Dudhi, Hiran, Bhukhi, Tawa,Orsang
Tapati724Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, GujaratSatpura range, Madhya PradeshPurna, Girna, Panzhara, Bori, Aner,Pazra
Mahanadi851Chhattisgarh, OdishaSihawa hills, ChhattisgarhSeonath, Hasdeo, Jonk, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel
Cauveri800Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, PuducherryBrahmagiri Hills Talakaveri, KarnatakaHarangi, Hemavathi, Lakshmanatirtha, Kabini, Shimsha, Arkavati, Suvarnavathi, Honnuhole, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amravati
Sutlej/Satadree1450Himachal Pradesh, Punjab (then enters Pakistan)Lake Rakshasthal Tibet (It enters india through Shipkila Pass)Beas, Spiti, Nogli Khad,Soan River, Ropa, Taiti, Kashang ,Mulgaon,Yula,Wanger,Tirung, Gayating
Jheelum/Vitasta/Hydaspes725 (170 India)Jammu Kashmir PakistanVerinag spring, at the foot of the Pir Panjal Range in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir.Poonch River, Sukhnag River, Arpath River, Lidder River, Kishanganga River/Neelum River, Sind River, Kunhar River, Pohru River, Erin River
Ravi/Parushini720 (341 India)Himachal Pradesh, Punjab (enters Pakistan)Himachal Pradesh (Kangra)Budhil, Nai or Dhona, Seul, Ujh
Chenab/Asikni974Himachalpradesh, Jammu & Kashmir (then flows to Pakistan)Bara Lacha Pass in the Lahul-Spiti part of the Zaskar Range.(Himachal Pradesh)Marusudar, Miyar Nalla, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Ans, and Kalnai, Niru, Tawi, Liddrari
Beas/Vipasa470Himachal Pradesh, PunjabRohtang Pass on the southern end of the Pir Panjal Range.Parvati, the Spin, and Malana nala on the east, and the Solang, Manalsu, Sujoin, Phojal, and Sarvati streams on the west. Other notable tributaries are Bain, Banganga, Luni, and Uhal
Thungabadra531Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,TelanganaIt is confluence of Tunga and Bhadra river originated at Koodli near Shimoga Karnataka Joins krishna at KurnoolTunga, Bhadra, Varada, Hagari
Penna597Karnataka, AndhrapradeshNandi Hills of KarnatakaJayamangali, Kunderu, and Sagileru, Chitravati, Papagni, and Cheyyeru.
Chambal1024Madhyapradesh,Rajasthan, Uttar PradeshJanapav Hills of Vindhyachal RangeBanas, Kali, Sindh, Shipra, Parbati, Mej
Betwa590Madhyapradesh, UttarpradeshJhiri village in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya RangeHalali and Dhasan, Kaliyasoth, Urwashi. • Bina, Jamni
Damodar592Jharkhand, West BengalChota Nagpur Plateau, JharkhandBarakar , Konar, Bkaro, Haharo,Jamunia,Ghari, Guaia, Khadia, Bhera
Son784Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, ChattisgarhMaikal Hills Amarkantak, Madhya PradeshGhaghar, Johilla, Chhoti Mahanadi, Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar and North Koel River
Gandak/Narayani630 (445 India)Uttar Pradesh, BiharNepalBurhi Gandak, Trijuga, Trisuli,Kali
Kosi729BiharHimalaya Region of Nepal, TibetSun Kosi, Indrawati, Tama Koshi, Likhu, Dudh Kosi, Arun, and Tamor
Ghagra/Karnali/Tsangpo/Sarayu1080Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, NepalMapchachungo Glacier in TibetRapti, Sharda, Chhoti Gandak
Bhima/Chandrabhaga 862Maharashtra, KarnatakaBhimashankar Temple in the Bhimashankar hills.(Western Ghat, Pune)Indrayani, Mula, Seena, Kukdi, Pavana, Karha, Mutha, Neera
Penganga670Maharashtra, TelanganaAjantha ranges in Aurangabad district in Maharashtra.Adan, Kas, Arunavati, Kayadhu, and Pus Rivers.
Manjeera724Maharashtra,Karnataka,TelanganaBalaghat range of hills near the Ahmednagar of MaharashtraTerana, Fountain, Ghatani, Teru, Manyad, Lendi, Gharni, and Tawarja
Periyar244Kerala,TamilnaduSivagiri hills of Western Ghats and flows through the Periyar National ParkMuthirapuzha River, Mullayar River, Cheruthoni River · Perinjankutti River, Edamala River, Idamalayar and Kattapanayar.
Luni495Rajasthan,GujaratNagpahar/Pushkar Valley of Aravali RangeSukri, Mithri River, Bandi, Khari, Jawai, Guhiya and Sagi, Jojari 
Wainganga569Madhyapradesh,MaharashtraMahadeo Hills in Mundara in Gondwana region near the village Gopalganj in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.Thanwar, Nahara, Sonbiri, Bagh, Chulband, Gadhavi, Triveni, and Kathani rivers on its left bank and the Hirri, Sarrati, Chandan, Bawanthadi, Sur, Kanhan, and Andhari rivers on its right bank
Purna334Madhyapradesh,Gujarat, Maharashtra Saputara hills of the western Ghats near the village Chinchai in Maharashtra.Katerurna, Nalganga, Dhodar nala, Bardanala, Nagihpar nala, Girna River, Zankari River and Dumas khadi
Sabarmati371Rajasthan, GujaratAravalli Hills, RajasthanWakal River, Harnav River, Hathmati River, Watrak River, Sei, Meshwo
Mahi583 Rajasthan,Madhyapradesh, GujaratMehad lake in Mahikanta Hills of Vindhya Range Madhya PradeshIru,Som,Jakham,Anas,Haran,Chap, Moren,Panam,Nori,Bhadar

Important Facts about Indian Rivers:

  • Godavari river is known as Dakshin Ganga/Vridha Ganga
  • At Devprayag, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers confluence and form Ganga.
  • Ganga is the longest river in India. It originates from the Gangotri Glacier and discharges its water in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The river Ganga is known as the Padma in Bangladesh
  • The largest tributary in India is the Yamuna River. The Yamuna River is the largest tributary of the Ganges River. The Yamuna is the second-largest tributary river of the Ganga and the longest tributary in India.
  • Brahmaputra is the volume-wise largest river of India, whereas lengthwise Ganga is the longest in India
  • Ganga,Godavari,Krishna,Yamuna,Narmada are the top 5 longest rivers in india.
  • Sorrow of Bihar-Kosi
  • Sorrow of Bengal:Damodar
  • The famous Jog Falls, also known as Gerosoppa Falls, is located on which river- Sharavathi
  • The state called the “Land of Five Rivers” is Punjab. This name is derived from the Persian words “Panj” (five) and “ab” (water), signifying the region’s historical connection to the five rivers: Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum
  • The Narmada River is widely considered to be one of the oldest rivers in India
  • The Arvari River, considered the smallest river in India, is located in Rajasthan
  • Major rivers flowing westward into the Arabian Sea include the Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, and Sabarmati.
  • The largest tributary of the Indus River is the Chenab River
  • The Sutlej River is the longest tributary of the Indus River
  • The Subansiri River is the longest tributary of the Brahmaputra River
  • The largest tributary of the Godavari River is the Pranahita
  • The longest tributary of Godavari is Manjeera
  • The Bhima River is the longest tributary of the Krishna River.
  • The largest tributary of the Krishna River is the Tungabhadra River
  • The Tawa is the Narmada’s largest tributary
  • The longest tributary of the Tapi river is the Purna River
  • The largest tributary of the Yamuna River is the Tons River
  • The Amaravati River is the longest tributary of the Kaveri River
  • The largest tributary of the Kaveri River, in terms of catchment area, is the Hemavati River
  • The largest tributary of the Mahanadi River is the Seonath River
  • The Marusudar River is the longest tributary of the Chenab River.
  • The largest tributary of the Beas River is the Parvati RIver
  • The Ujh River is the longest tributary of the Ravi River
  • The Kishanganga (also known as the Neelum River in Pakistan) is the largest tributary of the Jhelum River
  • Halali River is the longest tributary of Betwa
  • Marusudar is the largest tributary of Chenab
  • Barakar  is the Larger Tributary of Damodar
  • Brahmaputra river known as Luit in Assamese, Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan, the Siang/Dihang River in Arunachali, and Jamuna River in Bengali also known as red river.
  • Brahmaputra is the 9th largest river in the world by discharge, and the 15th longest.
  • The Bhima River (also known as the Chandrabagha River) is the largest tributary of the Krishna River.
  • The Chenab River is the largest tributary of the river Indus. It has a total length of about 974 km
  • The Periyar 244 km in length is the longest river of Kerala
  • West flowing rivers: Narmada, Tapti, Sabarmati, Luni, Mahi
  • Aizawl is situated on which of the following riverbank- Tlawng river

Rivers in India

 

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