Major Rivers of India: Map, Origin, Tributaries, Major Cities & More

India’s rivers form the backbone of its geography, economy, and culture. Understanding these river systems is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as they frequently appear in both the Prelims and Mains exams.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the major rivers of India, highlighting their significance, sources, tributaries, the States/UTs they pass through, and other key facts. It also offers a free downloadable PDF Map for easy reference.

List of Major Rivers of India

The table below provides a list of major rivers in India along with their Origin (source), Outflow (mouth), Major Tributaries, and the States/UTs they flow through.

The Ganga River

• Origin: The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas (Uttarakhand), where it is known as the Bhagirathi River.
• Confluence: Formed by the confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda rivers at Devprayag.
• Length: About 2,525 km long, making it the longest river in India.
• States/UTs: Flows through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• Outflow (Mouth): The river empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda
  • Right-bank: Yamuna, Son, Tamsa
• Major Cities on Its Banks: Key cities along the Ganga include Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanpur, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, and Kolkata.
• Divides at Farakka: Near Farakka in West Bengal, the Ganga splits into two distributaries:
  • The Bhagirathi-Hooghly River in India. (Note: This Bhagirathi is different from the Bhagirathi River at the origin of the Ganga)
  • The Padma River which flows into Bangladesh.
• Bhagirathi-Hooghly River (India):
  • It is the westernmost distributary of the Ganges.
  • It is known in its upper reaches as the Bhagirathi. (Note: This Bhagirathi is different from the Bhagirathi River at the origin of the Ganga)
  • The Hooghly flows through cities like Kolkata and finally enters the Bay of Bengal near Sagar Island.
• Padma-Meghna River System (Bangladesh):
  • In Bangladesh, the Padma River (the main distributary of the Ganga) flows southeast and merges with the Jamuna River (the main distributary of the Brahmaputra River).
  • After this confluence, it continues as the Meghna River, which eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal through a wide estuary.
• Sundarbans Delta: The Ganga, along with the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, forms the Sundarbans Delta, the largest delta in the world, which is spread across both India and Bangladesh.
• Religious Importance: The Ganga is considered the holiest river in Hinduism, revered as Ganga Mata (Mother Ganga) and associated with spiritual purification.
• Economic Importance: The Ganga supports agriculture, providing water for irrigation and sustenance for millions of people across its basin.

Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag refers to the five sacred river confluences in Uttarakhand, India. These are important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and are associated with the holy river Alaknanda. Below are the five Prayags:

1. Vishnuprayag – Confluence of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers.
2. Nandaprayag – Confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers.
3. Karnaprayag – Confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers.
4. Rudraprayag – Confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
5. Devprayag – Confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, marking the beginning of the Ganga.

These confluences hold religious significance and are part of the Char Dham pilgrimage route.

The Brahmaputra River

• Origin: The Brahmaputra originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier in the Tibetan Plateau (China), where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River. When the river enters India from Tibet, it is called the Siang or Dihang River, and after flowing through Arunachal Pradesh, it becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam.
• Length: It is approximately 2,900 km long (916 km in India).
• States/UTs: Flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Outflow (Mouth): The Brahmaputra merges with the Ganga-Padma and flows into the Bay of Bengal as the Meghna River, forming part of the Sundarbans Delta.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Lohit, Dibang, Burhi Dihing, Dhansari
  • Right-bank: Teesta, Manas, Subansiri, Sankosh, Kameng
• Major Cities on Its Banks: Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Guwahati, Jorhat
• Unique Feature: The Brahmaputra is one of the few major rivers in the world that exhibit tidal bores, which are rapid changes in water levels during tidal events.
• Islands: The Brahmaputra is famous for Majuli, one of the largest river islands in the world, located in Assam.
• Vulnerability to Flooding: The Brahmaputra is prone to seasonal flooding during the monsoon, particularly in Assam, where it causes widespread damage.
• Economic Importance:
  • The river is crucial for irrigation and sustains the large tea estates in Assam.
  • It serves as an important waterway for transportation under the National Waterways project (NW-2).
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Erosion along its banks is a significant problem in Assam, leading to the displacement of people.
  • The river is also vulnerable to the effects of glacial melt due to climate change.

The Indus River

• Origin: The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau near Lake Mansarovar (China), in the vicinity of Mount Kailash.
• Length: The Indus is about 3,180 km long, (1,114 km in India)
• States/UTs: In India, the Indus flows primarily through Ladakh.
• Outflow (Mouth): The river empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi, Pakistan, forming a large delta.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Zanskar, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (These tributaries flow mainly in India and Pakistan and form part of the Panjnad system in Pakistan).
  • Right-bank: Shyok, Gilgit, Hunza
• Major Cities on Its Banks: Leh
• Religious and Historical Significance: The Indus River gave its name to India and was home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, with key sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
• Economic Importance: The Indus is the backbone of Pakistan’s agriculture, with the Indus Basin Irrigation System being one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. The river sustains millions of livelihoods and irrigates vast areas of farmland.
• Indus Waters Treaty: The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, allocates water rights from the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries, helping to prevent conflicts over water sharing.

The Yamuna River

• Origin: The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the Bandarpunch Range of the Lower Himalayas (Uttarakhand).
• Length: Approximately 1,376 km
• States/UTs: Flows through the states/UTs of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi
• Outflow (Mouth): The Yamuna merges with the Ganga River at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh.
• Triveni Sangam: The confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati River in Prayagraj.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Hindon, Tons
  • Right-bank: Chambal, Betwa, Sindh, Ken
• Major Cities on Its Banks: Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Prayagraj (Allahabad)
• Religious Significance: The Yamuna is considered sacred in Hinduism. Along with the Ganga, it is revered and associated with various religious rituals and legends, especially at Yamunotri, one of the Char Dhams (pilgrimage sites).
• Cultural Significance: The river is closely associated with the cultural heritage of cities like Mathura and Vrindavan, which are central to the life of Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology.
• Economic Importance: The Yamuna is a crucial source of water for agriculture, industry, and domestic purposes, especially for the densely populated National Capital Region (NCR).
• Environmental Concerns: The Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in India, especially as it flows through Delhi. Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff are major contributors to its pollution. Several programs, like the Yamuna Action Plan, have been initiated to clean the river.

The Godavari River

• Origin: The Godavari River originates from Brahmagiri Hills (Trimbakeshwar) near Nashik in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
• Length: The Godavari is about 1,465 km long, making it the second-longest river in India after the Ganga.
• States/UTs: The Godavari flows through the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• Outflow (Mouth): The Godavari empties into the Bay of Bengal, forming an extensive delta along the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Pranahita (combined flow of Penganga, Wardha, and Wainganga), Indravati, Sabari
  • Right-bank: Manjira, Purna, Pravara
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Nashik and Nanded (Maharashtra)
  • Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh)
• Religious Significance: The Godavari is revered as the Dakshin Ganga (Ganga of the South). It is considered holy, especially in places like Nashik, where the Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years.
• Economic Importance: The Godavari basin is crucial for agriculture, supporting the cultivation of crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton. The river also plays a significant role in providing water for irrigation and hydropower generation.

The Krishna River

• Origin: The Krishna River originates from Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
• Length: Approximately 1,400 km
• States/UTs: Flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Outflow: Bay of Bengal, on the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Bhima, Musi, Munneru
  • Right-bank: Koyna, Tungabhadra, Panchganga, Dudhganga, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Almatti Dam (Karnataka)
  • Srisailam Dam (Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border)
  • Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border)

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• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Sangli and Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra)
  • Vijayawada and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)
• Religious & Cultural Significance:
  • The Krishna River is considered holy in Hinduism. Many pilgrimage centers are located along its banks, including Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and Pattadakal (Karnataka).
  • Several festivals and rituals are associated with the Krishna River, including the Krishna Pushkaram, a festival held once every 12 years.
• Economic Importance: The Krishna River is crucial for irrigation, supporting agriculture in a vast area. The river is also an important source of hydropower and drinking water for several cities and towns.

The Narmada River

• Origin: The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh.
• Length: It is about 1,312 km long, making it one of the major west-flowing rivers in India.
• States/UTs: Flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• Outflow: Empties into the Arabian Sea in the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Sher, Tawa
  • Right-bank: Kolar, Barna
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat)
  • Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh)
• Cities on Its Banks:
  • Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) – famous for the Marble Rocks gorge.
  • Bharuch (Gujarat)
• Religious & Cultural Significance:
  • The Narmada River is considered one of the seven sacred rivers in Hinduism. It is believed to be older than the Ganga and is considered a holy river for rituals and pilgrimages. The Narmada Parikrama, a circumambulation of the river, is a popular spiritual journey.
  • The Maheshwar Ghats and Omkareshwar are important pilgrimage sites along its banks.
• Economic Importance: The Narmada River plays a vital role in the region’s agriculture and water supply. It is crucial for irrigation in the drought-prone areas of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The river also supports fisheries and hydropower generation.

The Tapi River

• Origin: The Tapi River originates from the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh.
• Length: It is approximately 724 km long.
• States/UTs: Flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• Outflow: The river empties into the Arabian Sea, near Surat in Gujarat.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Purna, Girna
  • Right-bank: Arunavati, Gomai
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Ukai Dam (Gujarat)
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Jalgaon (Maharashtra)
  • Surat (Gujarat)
• Economic Importance: The Tapi River is crucial for irrigation in the regions through which it flows. The river supports agriculture, textile, and industrial activities. The Ukai Dam plays an essential role in managing irrigation, drinking water, and power generation.

The Mahanadi River

• Origin: The Mahanadi River originates from the Sihawa hills in Chhattisgarh.
• Length: It is about 851 km long.
• States/UTs: Flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• Outflow: Empties into the Bay of Bengal, forming a delta on the coast of Odisha.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib
  • Right-bank: Jonk, Ong, Tel
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Hirakud Dam (Odisha)
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
  • Sambalpur, Cuttack, and Paradeep (Odisha)

The Cauvery River

• Origin: The Cauvery River originates from Brahmagiri Hills in the Western Ghats, Karnataka.
• Length: It is approximately 805 km long.
• States/UTs: Flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Outflow: Empties into the Bay of Bengal, forming a delta in Tamil Nadu.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha
  • Right-bank: Kabini, Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravati
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (Karnataka)
  • Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu)
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Mysuru (Karnataka)
  • Srirangapatna (Karnataka) – home to the famous Ranganathaswamy Temple.
  • Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) (Tamil Nadu)
  • Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)
• Religious Significance: The Cauvery is regarded as one of the seven sacred rivers in Hinduism. The river is worshiped as Goddess Kaveri, and many temples are located along its banks, especially in Srirangapatna and Srirangam.
• Economic Importance: The Cauvery is a lifeline for agriculture in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, providing irrigation to vast areas. The Cauvery Delta is one of the most fertile regions, crucial for the production of rice. The river also supplies drinking water to cities like Bengaluru.

The Chambal River

• Origin: The Chambal River originates from the Janapav Hills near Mhow, in the Vindhya Range, Madhya Pradesh.
• Length: The Chambal is approximately 1,024 km long.
• States/UTs: Flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Yamuna.
• Outflow (Mouth): The Chambal River joins the Yamuna River at the tri-junction of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Left-bank: Banas, Mej
  • Right-bank: Parbati, Kali Sindh, Shipra
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Gandhisagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Rana Pratap Sagar Dam (Rajasthan)
  • Jawahar Sagar Dam (Rajasthan)
  • Kota Barrage (Rajasthan)
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Kota & Dholpur (Rajasthan)
• Economic Importance: The Chambal River is vital for irrigation in the otherwise dry regions of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal Valley projects, including several dams and barrages, have transformed agriculture in these areas. It also provides hydropower in the region.
• Environmental Concerns: The Chambal River is one of the least polluted rivers in India, thanks to its relatively undisturbed course. However, the region faces challenges like illegal sand mining and deforestation of the surrounding ravines. The river is home to endangered species such as the gharial (a type of crocodile) and the Gangetic dolphin.
• Cultural and Historical Significance: The Chambal Valley is known for its deep ravines or badlands and historical association with dacoits (bandits). The river and its surrounding areas have been depicted in Indian cinema (e.g. Sholay) and literature for their rugged landscape and history.

The Son River

• Origin: The Son River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, near the origin of the Narmada River.
• Length: The Son River is approximately 784 km long.
• States/UTs: The river flows through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
• Outflow (Mouth): The Son River joins the Ganga River near Patna in Bihar.
• Major Tributaries:
  • Right-bank: Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar
• Major Dams and Projects:
  • Rihand Dam (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Indrapuri Barrage (Bihar)
• Major Cities on Its Banks:
  • Patna (Bihar) – near the confluence with the Ganga
• Economic Importance: The Son River plays a vital role in irrigation in the arid regions of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The Bansagar Dam and Indrapuri Barrage are crucial for agriculture, especially for the cultivation of crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane. The river also supports hydropower generation.
• Geographical Importance: The Son is one of the few rivers that flows northward to join the Ganga, unlike most rivers in central India that flow east or west. It also flows over a rocky terrain, which has given rise to its shallow depth and the formation of waterfalls at various points along its course.