Rivers of India and their main Tributaries

Rivers on the basis of the direction of discharge

The major rivers of India can be divided on the basis of the direction of flowing or discharge of water:

  1. Discharges into the Arabian Sea: Narmada, Tapi, Sindhu, Sabarmati, Mahi, Purna
  2. Discharges into the Bay of Bengal: Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Ganga (and tributaries), Meghna, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna (and tributaries), and Kaveri.

Rivers on the Basis of Sources

On the basis of sources, the Indian rivers 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:

Peninsular rivers system:

West flowing peninsular Rivers:

  • Narmada
  • Tapti
  • Sabarmati
  • Mahi

Important Rivers and Their Main Tributaries

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 the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near Mansarovar Lake (Tibet)

Discharge: After merging with river Padma it falls into the Bay of Bengal

(click here to read more → Brahmaputra river system)

Subansiri, Manas Lohit, Dihang, Dhansiri, Kalang
Ganga

Originates from Gangotri Glacier near Gaumukh in Uttarkashi district Uttarakhand

Discharge: Bay of Bengal

(Click here for more about the Ganga river system)

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

Godavari is 2nd largest river in India after the Ganga.

This river is also known as Dakshin Ganga.

The total length of Godavari is approx 1,465 km. Its basin is surrounded by Satmala hills in the North, the Ajanta range, and Mahadev hills in the South, the Eastern Ghats in the east, and the Western Ghats in the West.

Godavari River flows through three states i.e. Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Discharge: Bay of Bengal

Project on Godavari:

  • Sriram Sagar Project also called Pochampad Dam.
Sabarmati, Indravati, Pranhita, wainganga, Penganga, Wardha, purna, and Dudhana Darna, Pravara, 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 the Kailash range close 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:

https://pcsstudies.com/the-peninsular-drainage-system/

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 the Banderpunch range

Tons, Hindan Chambal Banas, Sind, Betwa, Dhansan, Ken

 

Rivers of India

Length of major rivers of India

Rivers of India and their main Tributaries

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

 

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