India is considered a very renowned land for beautiful rivers, as there are a plethora of rivers flowing from different directions across the country. The water bodies of India play a significant role in the overall economic development of the country.
Here is the list of the Top 10 Longest Rivers in India in detail:
1. Ganga River
River Ganga, also known as the Ganges, is the longest river flowing through the Indian mainland. This holy river has its origins in the Gangotri Glacier, located in the Uttarkashi District. From the Gangotri Glacier flows down and gives rise to many tributaries, of which the Yamuna is the most important one. After flowing through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, the river Ganga discharges its water into the Bay of Bengal. Its entire course from the Gangotri Glacier to the Bay of Bengal covers 2525 km.
2. Godavari River
River Godavari is the longest river in Peninsular India. This originates from Triambakeshwar, near Nasik in Maharashtra. As it flows, it gives rise to many tributaries such as Banganga, Kadva, Shivana, and Purna from the left bank and Nasardi, Darna, and Pravara from the right bank. The course of the river traverses through Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, after which it flows into the Bay of Bengal. Its entire course from Trimbakeshwar to the Bay of Bengal covers 1464 km.
3. Krishna
The origins of River Krishna are in the Western Ghats just north of Mahabaleswar at an elevation of 1337 m. The river, originating only about 64 km away from the Arabian sea, gives rise to many tributaries like Bhima, Dindi Musi, Paleru, and Munneru on the left bank and Vienna, Koyna, and Panchganga on the right bank. Like the other major rivers of India, River Krishna also flows into the Bay of Bengal. From its site of origin to its destination at the Bay of Bengal, it traverses a path of 1400 km.
4. Yamuna River
River Yamuna is the main tributary of River Ganga. The Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri glacier situated in the Banderpoonch peak in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It has many tributaries, including Hindon and Sharda to the left and Chambal, Betwa, and Ken to the right. After flowing through the major states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, it joins Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. From the Yamnotri Glacier to the point where it joins River Ganga, River Yamuna traverses 1376 km.
5. Narmada River
The River Narmada, also known as the “Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat,” originates near the Amarkantak peak in Madhya Pradesh. The river has tributaries like Burhner, Banjar, Sher, and Karjan to the left and Hiran, Tendoni, and, Choral to its right. This is one of the few rivers of India that drain into the Arabian Sea. From Amarkantak to the Arabian Sea, this river flows through 1312 km.
6. Indus River
River Indus is the longest river in terms of its distance, which is 3180 km. But it covers only a length of 1,114 kilometers in India, and the rest is in Pakistan. It originates in the Northern slopes of the Kailash range in Tibet near Manasarovar. It flows through the Leh, Skardu, and Punjab. The tributaries of River Indus include Zanskar, Suru, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab, and Luni to the left and Shyok, Hunza, Gilgit, Gomal, and Zhob to the right. After traversing a path of 1114 km through India and 3180 km in all, it drains into the Arabian Sea.
7. Brahmaputra River
River Brahmaputra originates in the Himalayan mountains from the Kailash Ranges in Tibet. It enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. It has Dibang, Lohit, Dhansiri as tributaries on the left bank and Kameng, Manas, Jaldhaka, Teesta, and Subansiri on the right bank. The Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh as River Jamuna and joins Ganga (known as the Padma in Bangladesh) before pouring its waters into the Bay of Bengal. Though the river’s total length is 2900 km, only 916 km of its length flows through India.
8. Mahanadi River
River Mahanadi originates in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. It mainly flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha states and smaller portions of the states of Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. The tributaries of River Mahanadi include Mand, Ib, and Hasdeo on the left and Ong and Parry on the right. The Mahanadi drains into the Bay of Bengal after traversing an 890 km long route through India.
9. Cauvery River
The origins of River Cauvery lie in the Brahmagiri Range of the Western Ghats in the Coorg District of Karnataka. Lakshmana Tirtha is the main tributary of the Cauvery River on the right. After flowing through the southern region, it reaches Tamil Nadu, through which it pours its waters into the Bay of Bengal. From The Brahmagiri Range to the Bay of Bengal, the river traverses a path of 800 km.
10. Tapi River
River Tapi originates in the Satpura Range. It has two major tributaries- Purna and Girna. After flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, it flows into the Gulf of Khambhat at the Arabian Sea.