India is one of the most famous nations in the world. It is known as the land of many rivers as there are more than 200 rivers around it. This count of 200 rivers not only includes the major rivers but also includes a summary of tributaries. However, almost all the rivers in India originate from the Aravalli, Karakoram, and Himalayas and most of them are located in the western part of India.
The rivers of India are divided into two types:
1. Himalayan rivers
2. Peninsular rivers
About Himalayan Rivers
The Himalayan rivers are of paramount importance in India, playing a vital role in the geography, ecology and economy of the country. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra originating from the high peaks of the Himalayas not only sustain life with their freshwater resources but also contribute to agriculture through fertile plains. These rivers are associated with cultural and religious beliefs, revered as sacred entities. Additionally, they serve as a source of hydroelectric energy production, promoting sustainable energy. The Himalayan rivers, with their diverse contributions, underline their unique importance in shaping the multifaceted landscape of India.
About Peninsular Rivers
Peninsular rivers in India are extremely important, contributing significantly to the geographical and socio-economic landscape of the country. These rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and others, play a vital role in supporting agriculture, providing water for irrigation and maintaining the ecosystem. They contribute to the rich biodiversity of the region and have been an integral part of the development of ancient civilizations. Additionally, these rivers are important for supporting transportation, trade, and commerce. Peninsular rivers, with their cultural, ecological and economic importance, are essential to the past, present and future of India.
Top 10 Longest Rivers in India List
| Sr. No. | Name of the River | Origin (Source) | Length in India (km) |
| 1 | Ganga | Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand | 2525 |
| 2 | Godavari | Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra | 1465 |
| 3 | Krishna | Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra | 1400 |
| 4 | Yamuna | Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand | 1376 |
| 5 | Narmada | Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh | 1312 |
| 6 | Indus | Lake Manasarovar, Tibet | 1100 |
| 7 | Brahmaputra | Angsi Glacier, Tibet | 918 |
| 8 | Mahanadi | Sihawa, Chhattisgarh | 890 |
| 9 | Kavery (Cauvery) | Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka | 800 |
| 10 | Tapti | Multai, Madhya Pradesh | 700 |
Brief information about rivers
Some general details of the longest river in India are as follows:
1. Ganga River
Ganga is one of the longest rivers in India, more than 2500 kms long. In Bangladesh, it is also known as Padma River. The origin and source of River Ganga is Gangotri Glacier located in Uttarakhand. However, the mouth of the Ganga River is called the Bay of Bengal.
2. Godavari River
Godavari River has been ranked as the second largest river in India after Ganga. This river originates from the Brahmagiri Mountains of Maharashtra. The total length of this river is 1465 kms. Like River Ganga, the mouth of Godavari River is also the Bay of Bengal.
3. Krishna River
Krishna River flows for 1400 kms and its base and size is considered to be 2,58,948 square kms. This makes it the fourth longest river in India in terms of water flow. This river’s mouth is also the Bay of Bengal.
4. Yamuna River
The total length of the river is 1376 kms which makes it the fourth longest river in India. However, the Yamuna River is a tributary of the Ganges and originates from the Yamunotri Glaciers, which are located in Uttarakhand.
5. Narmada River
Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau, which is located in Madhya Pradesh. The mouth of this river is considered to be the Gulf of Khambhat i.e. Arabian Sea. Apart from this, the length of this river is 1312 kms.
6. Indus River
The Indus River rises from Lake Manasarovar in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through Ladakh as well as some areas of Kashmir. Indus River also flows through Pakistan and ends in the Arabian Sea. With a length of 3180 km, this river is the sixth longest river in India.
7. Brahmaputra River
With a length of 3969 kms, this river is considered to be the longest river in South India and the seventh longest river in the entire country. The origin of the Brahmaputra river is the Himalayas.
8. Mahanadi River
Mahanadi flows for a length of 858 km from its mouth in Orissa. Furthermore, the total speed and size of the Mahanadi River is 141600 km, making it the eighth longest river in India.
9. Kaveri (Cauvery) River
Kaveri River is noted as the 9th longest river in India as well as the 3rd largest river of South India. This river’s mouth is in the Bay of Bengal. Furthermore, this river originates from the western hills of Karnataka, with a total length of 805 kms.
10. Tapti River
This river is known for its flow towards the western world and is one of the major rivers of India. The origin of this river is in Madhya Pradesh and its mouth is in the Gulf of Khambhat which is within the Arabian Sea. The total length of this river is 700 kms which puts it in the top ten list of longest rivers in India.
India is known for the huge number of rivers present on its land. That is why it is also called the land of rivers. However, in the list of top 10 longest rivers in India, Ganga and Yamuna come in the top five. Furthermore, the Himalayas play an important role in the origin of these rivers.
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