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Rivers In India: A Quick Guide To The Top 20 Major Rivers Of India

Archita Minocha

December 26, 2018

Officially and proudly named as Bharat, India is a country in South Asia with the most popular democracy in the world. The country’s rich architectural heritage, serene Ghats, picturesque landscapes, tiger reserves, diverse culture and aesthetic hill stations make it one of the most preferred tourist destinations on the globe. From the 7th wonder of the world to the artistic palaces and forts, each monument in India narrates a story of its regality. Above everything, the rivers in India are inspirations to millions of souls from across the nation and the globe. Each river is a source of livelihood for a large number of people and holds a special significance.

Why Go There?  Spectacular Landscapes | Majestic Forts | Hill Stations

Ideal For: Photographers | Travel Writers | Spiritualists | Nature Lovers

Trivia: The Hindu Mythology considers the rivers of India as ‘deities’. These rivers are much more than just sources of water for people and have unique myths and stories revolving around them. It is believed that a holy dip in one of these rivers, particularly the Holy Ganges can wash away the sins and unlock the door to moksha (salvation).

Things To Bring Back: Madhubani Paintings | Silk Sarees | Pashmina Shawl | Silver Jewelry | Indian Spices | Holy Water

Major Rivers In India: Guide To The Most Popular Rivers In India

1. Ganga River in India

The third largest river on the globe, Ganga is the most sacred river in India. It holds a specific prominence in the Hindu Mythology. The river is worshipped as the ‘Goddess of Divine Purification’ and is also a lifeline to millions of people who rely on it for their daily needs.

2. Yamuna River in India

Often known as ‘Jamuna’, Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganga. It is believed that ‘Lord Krishna’ had washed his feet in its holy water soon after the time of his birth when he was being secretly transferred across the river to his nurture home. The river originates from the Yamunotri Glacier and merges with the Ganges at the Triveni Sangam, Allahabad.

3. Indus River in India

One of the longest rivers in Asia, Indus has historically been important to many cultures of Punjab. The river is locally known as Darya-e-Sindh and is also the national river of Pakistan.

4. Brahmaputra River in India

Known as the ‘lifeline of Assam’, the Brahmaputra river is one of the major rivers of Asia. Unlike most rivers on the Indian subcontinent recognized as Goddesses, this river has a rare masculine name, meaning ‘son of Brahma’ in Sanskrit.

5. Mahanadi River in India

The Mahanadi river flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Initially, the river was known as ‘the sorrow of Orissa’ for its devastating floods. The construction of the Hirakud Dam greatly altered the situation, keeping the river well in control.

6. Godavari River in India

Well respected in the Hindu scriptures, Godavari is the second longest river in India after the Ganga. The river had been labelled as Dakshina Ganga and is the largest in peninsular India.

7. Krishna River in India

The Krishna river originates from the Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar. Also referred to as Krishnaveni, this fast and furious waterbody may reach depths of over 75 feet. Krishna is also India’s fourth-biggest river in terms of water inflows and river basin area.

8. Kaveri (Cauveri) River in India

The holiest river of South India, the Kaveri River is also known as ‘Ponni’. The river provides water for irrigation, household consumption, and generation of electricity in South India. Doddabetta is the highest point of the Kaveri basin.

9. Narmada River in India

Popularly known as the ‘lifeline of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh’, river Narmada is the fifth longest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is also one of the three major rivers in peninsular India that flows in a rift valley.

10. Tapti River in India

Running from east to west, the Tapti River flows through Surat, and is crossed by the Magdalla ONGC Bridge. The river was named after the goddess Tapati and is one of the main rivers of peninsular India.

11. Sutlej River in India

The easternmost tributary of the Indus River ‘Sutlej’ originates from Langqên Zangbo in Tibet. Sutlej river basin area has several major hydroelectric projects such as the Bhakra Dam and the Nathpa Jhakri Dam.

12. Chambal River in India

A legendary river, the Chambal is one of the tributaries of the Yamuna that originates in Madhya Pradesh. Considered as a pollution-free river, Chambal finds a mention in the ancient scriptures becoming famous by the name of Charmanvati.

13. Chenab River in India

Formed by the convergence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, Chenab is a significant river that flows in India and Pakistan. The river merges into an archaeological site in Jammu district and is one of the 5 major rivers of Punjab.

14. Jhelum River in India

A tributary of the Indus River, Jhelum is referred to as ‘Vitasta’ in the Sanskrit language. It is a river of west Kashmir and eastern Pakistan. The river was regarded as the god by the ancient Greeks.

15. Ravi River in India

Also named as Iravati, the river Ravi originates in the Himalayas and merges into the Arabian Sea. It is a perennial river and is the smallest of the five rivers of Punjab. The surplus water of the Ravi river is transferred directly to the Beas river.

16. Sabarmati River in India

One of the major west-flowing rivers in India, the Sabarmati was traditionally known as ‘Bhogwa’. Mahatma Gandhi established his home by the bank of this river and named the home as Sabarmati Ashram. Additionally, it is believed that the river came into being when Lord Shiva brought Goddess Ganga to Gujrat.

17. Beas River in India

Home to a tiny isolated population of the Indus Dolphin, the Beas river rises in the Himalayas and discharges into the Mandi plain. The river was developed in the 20th century for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation purposes.

18. Betwa River in India

Betwa river is referred to as Vetravati in the Sanskrit language. It is a tributary of the Yamuna and originates in the Vindhya range. The convergence of the Betwa and the Yamuna river is in the Hamirpur town in Uttar Pradesh.

19. Son River in India

One of the longest Indian rivers, the Son river rises near the Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. The chief tributaries of this river are the Rihand and the North Koel. Kabra Khurd, an aesthetic picnic spot, is situated on the bank of this river.

20. Gomti River in India

Fondly known as the daughter of the Hindu sage Vashist, the Gomti river is one of the tributaries of the river Ganga. It originates from Gomat Taal and is home to the popular Gomti Chakra.