Rivers of India and their main Tributaries
The major rivers of India can be divided on the basis of the direction of flowing or discharge of water:
- Discharges into the Arabian sea: Narmada, Tapi, Sindhu, Sabarmati, Mahi, Purna
- Discharges into the Bay of Bengal: Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Ganga (and tributaries), Meghna, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna (and tributaries), Kaveri.
On the basis of sources, the Indian revers can be classified as Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular rivers.
Himalayan Rivers system: The Himalayan Rivers are formed by melting snow and glaciers and therefore, continuously flow throughout the year. During the monsoon months, the Himalayas receive very heavy rainfall and rivers swell, causing frequent floods. The Himalayan river system mainly includes the revers systems:
West flowing peninsular Rivers:
- Narmada
- Tapti
- Sabarmati
- Mahi
The list of rivers of India and their main tributaries are given in the table below:
List of Major Rivers with Their Tributaries on Left and Right Bank |
||
River | Left Bank Tributary | Right Bank Tributary |
Brahmaputra Originates from Chemayungdung glacier of Kailash range near Mansarovar lake (Tibet) Discharge: After merge with river Padma it falls in Bay of Bengal |
Subansiri, Manas | Lohit, Dihang, Dhansiri, Kalang |
Ganga
Originates from Gangotri Glacier near Gaumukh in Uttarkashi district Uttarakhand Discharge: Bay of Bengal |
Alaknanda, Ramganga, Gomati, Kali (sarda), Sarju, Rapti, Ghagra (karnali), Gandak, Trishuli, Burhi Gandak, Baghmati, Kosi, mahananda | Yamuna, Sone, Rihand, Ajay, Punpun, Phalgu, Damodar, Rupnarayan, Silai, Haldi |
Godavari
The largest Peninsular river system Rises from Trimbak Plateau near Nasik, Maharashtra Discharge: Bay of Bengal |
Sabarmati, Indravati, Pranhita, wainganga, Penganga, Wardha, purna, and Dudhana | Manjira, Tirna, Manar, Kirnarasani |
Indus (Sindhu)
One of the largest river basins in the world Westernmost Himalayan river of India Originates from a glacier in Kailash range closed to Mansarovar lake Discharge: Arabian Sea |
Zaskar, Suru, Dras, Krishanganga, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj | Shyok, Nubra, Gilgit ect. |
Kaveri
Rises from(Taal Kaveri) Brahmagiri hills, Karnataka |
Herangi, Hemavati, Lokpavni, Shimsha, etc | Lakshmantirtha, Kabani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, And Amravati |
Krishna
East flowing river, rises near Mahabaleshwar in Sahyadri |
Muneru, Musi, Hallia, Bhima, Panchganga, Dudhganga | Koyna, Malprabha, Ghataprabha, Tungabhadra |
Luni
The largest river of Rajasthan, Origin from Pushkar |
Bundi, Sukri, Jawai, Suleri | …… |
Mahanadi
Originates from Dandakaranya, near Shiwa, Raipur district Chhattisgarh Discharge- Bay of Bengal Click here to read more: |
Mand, Hasdeo, Jawai, Sheonath | Ong, Jonk, Tel |
Narmada
Originates from Amarkantak Plateau Discharge: Arabian Sea |
Bruhner, Banjar, Shar, Shakkar, Tawa and Kundi | Hiran, Kolar |
Satluj
Origin: Rakas lake near Mansaror |
Parechhu, Spiti, Beas | |
Tapi
Westward flowing river Origin: Multi in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh |
Sipra, Kapra, Khurshi, Mona, Purna, Girna, Panjhara | Betul, Patki, Suki, More, Arunavati Gomati |
Yamuna
Source: Yamunotri Glacier on the western slope of Banderpunch range |
Tons, Hindan | Chambal Banas, Sind, Betwa, Dhansan, Ken |

Length of major rivers of India

Rivers of India and their main Tributaries
Reference: Indian and World geography – Majid Hussain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_major_rivers_of_India
You can also read:
- List of Important Glaciers of Himalayan mountain
- List of main volcanoes in the world
- List of Mountain Passes of India
- Indus river system
- Ganga river system
Thank You 🙂
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