Discover the 10 Most Important Rivers in India

India is a land of diverse landscapes and cultures. Rivers are among the many things that intertwine the different cultures of this country. The relationship between the people and the rivers show an inter connectivity between ecology, economy, culture, and spirituality. These rivers are the veins and arteries of the subcontinent, nurturing life, civilizations, and belief systems. These rivers are not just water bodies; they are lifelines that have played pivotal roles in the country’s history, civilization, and economic development. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the coastal plains, the rivers of India have sculpted the subcontinent’s terrain and have been central to its mythology, religion, and daily life. So, here’s an exploration of some of the most important rivers in India.

1. The Ganges (Ganga)

Origin: The Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas.

Significance: Revered as the holiest river by Hindus, the Ganges is the heartbeat of Northern India. Spanning over 2,500 kilometers, its waters have been witness to the rise and fall of empires. In Hinduism, devotees celebrate the Ganges as a goddess. They believe its waters cleanse sins and grant salvation. Devotees frequent the riverbanks to perform various rites of passage, from birth ceremonies to cremation rituals. Hence, the city of Varanasi, on its banks, is particularly significant for those seeking liberation through the immersion of ashes in its waters. Additionally, the river also supports millions with its fertile plains and provides water for drinking and agriculture. The Gangetic plains are among the most fertile lands in the world. They support the cultivation of a plethora of crops, from rice and wheat to sugarcane and jute.

2. The Brahmaputra

Origin: The Angsi Glacier in Tibet.

Significance: The Brahmaputra etches its way through the landscapes and lives of multiple countries. Its journey begins in the Angsi Glacier in Tibet and snakes its way through China, India, and Bangladesh before merging with the Bay of Bengal. In India, it flows through the northeastern state of Assam and is a primary water source. For the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra is central to their cultural identity. Therefore, many consider the river sacred, and rituals, festivals, and fairs, such as the Ambubachi Mela in Assam, revolve around it. Aside from that, the river is rich in biodiversity. For e.g. its basin in Assam houses the Kaziranga National Park, home to the one-horned rhinoceros. The Brahmaputra Delta is home to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.

3. The Yamuna

Origin: The Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas.

Significance: The Yamuna, also known as Jamuna, is the largest tributary of the Ganges. The city of Delhi, India’s capital, lies on the western bank of the river. In Hindu mythology, people consider the Yamuna not just as a river but as a deity, and they often depict her as the consort of Lord Krishna. Notably, devotees throng numerous ghats (riverfront steps) along the river, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, believing that a dip in the Yamuna offers spiritual purification. Architectural wonders grace the river’s banks, the most iconic of which is the Taj Mahal in Agra, which overlooks the Yamuna.

4. The Godavari

Origin: Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra.

Significance: The Godavari, often referred to as the ‘Dakshin Ganga’ or the ‘Ganges of the South’, is India’s second-longest river after the Ganges and flows predominantly through the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Various ancient scriptures and epics, including the Ramayana, mention the river. People believe that Lord Rama spent a significant part of his exile in the region of Nashik, where the river originates. Overall, the Godavari delta stands as one of the most fertile regions in India, renowned especially for its rice cultivation, and developers have harnessed it for several hydroelectric projects.

5. The Krishna

Origin: Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.

Significance: Many name the river after the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. However, it is also because the river flows through the Deccan Plateau which is rich in black soil. In Sanskrit “Krishna” means “Black.” Originating from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and winding its way to the Bay of Bengal, the Krishna River has seen the rise of significant cultural, political, and trade centres, with cities like Vijayawada boasting a rich historical legacy. It is the second-longest river in India and the seventh-largest river basin in water reservoir capacity. The Krishna River has multiple dams, of which the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and the Srisailam Dam are the most significant because they serve both irrigation and power generation purposes. Consequently, the Indian Government started the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam as one of the first irrigation projects of the Green Revolution, highlighting its importance.

6. The Kaveri (Cauvery)

Origin: Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.

Significance: The Kaveri (or Cauvery) River flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and many dub it as the ‘Ganges of the South’. The Kaveri basin has been the site for ancient Dravidian cultures and has witnessed the rise of dynasties like the Cholas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara Empire. Generally, the farmers grow not only rice, but also coconut trees. Indeed, people know the delta region as the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Tamil Nadu, and it also boasts abundant fishing communities. The river originates in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats of Karnataka and both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu share it. This has lead to longstanding legal and on-ground disputes between the two states.

7. The Narmada

Origin: Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh.

Significance: Flowing westward through a rift valley, the Narmada is essential to the socio-economic life of Central India. People consider it as one of the seven sacred rivers of the Indian subcontinent, viewing it as the mother and giver of peace. The Narmada Parikrama is a unique pilgrimage involving walking along the entire length of the river, starting and finishing at the same point. Believers consider this journey, which covers thousands of kilometers, a rigorous act of devotion. The riverbed boasts naturally formed smooth stones, which people know as ‘Narmada Banalingas’ or ‘Bana Shiva Lingas’. People consider these as representations of Lord Shiva and hold them in high reverence. Additonally, the river also houses one of India’s largest dams – the Sardar Sarovar dam.

8. The Indus

Origin: Near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.

Significance: Originating in the Tibetan Plateau and flowing through China, India, and Pakistan, the Indus River is one of the most iconic rivers in Asia. The name comes from one of the earliest civilizations of South Asia – the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500-1900 BCE). Ancient cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa thrived along its banks. Much of the river’s water comes from the melting of glaciers and snow in the mountains. It was known as Sindhu in Sanskrit, and Hindu in Persian. However, both regarded the Indus as the ‘border river.’ It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits a phenomenon called the tidal bore – a strong tide that pushes against the current and reverses the direction of the river!

9. The Tapti

Origin: Eastern Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh.

Significance: Flowing through the central part of India, the Tapti River, often referred to as Tapi, it serves as a natural boundary – it demarcates the northern limit of the Deccan plateau. The river ranks as the second largest west flowing river in India, and its name honors the daughter of the Sun god Surya. In ancient times, people recognized the river bank as an important export port, calling it the “Gateway of International Trade.” Previously, it was also an essential resting place for those going on the Muslim pilgrimage from Hajj to Mecca.

10. The Mahanadi

Origin: Raipur district of Chhattisgarh.

Significance: The Mahanadi flows through the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and is particularly renowned for supporting extensive rice cultivation in its delta. The famous Hirakud Dam, one of India’s earliest river valley projects post-independence, stands across this river. Secondly, the Dam is also one of the largest artificial lake in Asia. Its delta, wetlands, and surrounding regions are habitats for a variety of species – this includes migratory birds and even freshwater dolphins! The name of the river translates to “Great River” because people know it for its erratic nature and its tendency to flood, especially in the deltaic regions.

From the sacred Ganges, which has been a witness to the evolution of ancient civilizations, to the mighty Brahmaputra that carves its path through the northeastern plains, each river tells a story of time, culture, and socio-economic affairs. Lastly, their use in agriculture and transport and their importance in religion makes these rivers the most important rivers of India.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Leonid Andronov/iStock via Getty Images