Rivers in India are given religious importance. Rivers in India are considered to be holy and sacred. The famous rivers in India have a very important space in the heart of every Indian. Hindu Mythology considers these rivers in India as Gods. There are many festivals in India which can’t be celebrated without these famous rivers in India.

List of Rivers in India are:

Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers in India and in Asia Continent. This trans-boundary river is called the Brahmaputra in India but is known by the name of Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The Brahmaputra conceived its name from Sanskrit word Brahma means god and Putra mean son. This rivers in India is considered as the son of god. The Brahmaputra is the biggest river in India. This river originates from Kailasa range of the Himalaya and flows down to its massive delta and the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra River is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore.

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Chenab River

Chenab is a river that originates from the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga Rivers of Himachal Pradesh. This rivers in India is considered as clean as the moon. The Chenab River is formed by the merger at Tandi which is located in the upper Himalayas in Lahul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. Chenab also flows through some regions of Pakistan. Chenab after its origination moves to Jammu and from there it comes to Punjab where it meets Jhelum River.

Ganges River

The Ganges is a major river in the Indian subcontinent flowing east through the plains of northern India into Bangladesh. This river begins at the Gangotri Glacier in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in the central Himalayas, and drains into the Bay of Bengal through its vast delta in the Sunderbans.

The river Ganges is a sacred river and the Hindus believe that if one takes a bath in this rivers in India, then all your sins will be forgiven and it helps in attaining salvation. Some of the most important Hindu festivals and religious congregations are celebrated on the banks of the river Ganges, such as the Kumbh Mela and the Chhat Puja.

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Godavari River

River Godavari is one of the seven sacred rivers in India. Godavari River flows through Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh and then it falls into the Bay of Bengal near Rajahmundry. This river is worshipped in south India just like the Ganges in the north. This river originates from western India at Trimbak in Nasik of the state of Maharashtra. Godavari River has Indravati River, Manjira River, Bindusara River, and Sabari River as her tributaries. This river after crossing through Andhra Pradesh turns towards south India. River Godavari is longest in the south India.

Jhelum River

The River Jhelum was called by the name Vitista in the ancient times and is mentioned in Rig Veda. The River Jhelum originates from a spring at Verinag, located at the foot of the Pir Panjal which is in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir. This river goes to Srinagar after its origination and then after it proceeds towards Pakistan.

River Jhelum is a tributary of River Indus and is the largest of the five rivers of Punjab. It is said that Alexander the Great and his army crossed the Jhelum in 326 BC at the Battle of the Hydaspes River where he defeated the Indian king, Porus.

Kaveri River

Indian peninsula has five major rivers in India naming Mahanadi, Godavari, Narmada, and Krishna and Kaveri. The River Kaveri is the smallest of the five rivers of this Peninsula. Kaveri is the most sacred river of the south India. It is worshipped like the Ganges by the south Indians. This is the reason it is famous by the name of Dakshin Ganga or the Ganges of the south.

The River Kaveri flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri river is joined by two small rivers and it is then collected at Krishnaraj Sagar reservoir, on the bank of which the very beautiful Mysore – Brindavan garden are situated.

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Krishna River

Krishna is very clean and one of the longest rivers in India. Krishna River originates from Mahabaleswar in Maharashtra and goes into the mouth of Bay of Bengal. Krishna River flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. On the banks of River Krishna near Sangli of Maharashtra, there are two pilgrimages namely Audumber and Narsobawadi.

An interesting fact about this rivers in India is that it originates from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev (Lord Shiva) in Mahabaleshwar. The water of Krishna River is pure and it enriches the black soil near its bank.

Mahanadi River

Mahanadi is having its origin at Chattisgarh and it flows through the state of Orissa and finally ends up in the mouth of Bay of Bengal. Mahanadi is one the river that drains the substantial part of peninsular India.The largest dam in the world, the Hirakund dam is built on Mahanadi River. This river irrigates the fertile land of Mahanadi Valley where intensive cultivation of rice, oilseeds, sugarcane is done. The States of Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa shares the water of Mahanadi.

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Narmada River

River Narmada is the fifth largest rivers in India. River Narmada flows in the central India through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, and Maharashtra. This river forms a traditional boundary between North India and South India.This river is also called by the name of Shankari (Shiva’s daughter) since it is believed to have originated from the body of Lord Shiva. On the banks of this holy river, there are many pilgrimages like Maheshwar, Mahadeo, and Omkareshwar, named after Lord Shiva. The Narmada is considered as the peace giver.

Ravi River

Ravi is a river which flows through India and Pakistan. This trans-national river is one of the five sister rivers in Punjab which give the state its name. Having its source of origin in the Himalayas this rivers in India starts its journey from Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh. Ravi is having the historical importance since on its western bank in Pakistan the tombs of Jahangir and Noor Jahan are built in the Shahdara Bagh. Lahore city is on its eastern bank. The name Ravi is given since its water is pure and clean and shines like sunlight.

Saraswati River

Saraswati River has derived her name after the goddess of knowledge, Maa Saraswati. River Saraswati is said to be a mythical rivers in India since there is no signs of its origin. It is believed that this river flows under the two holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna. All these holy rivers in India meet at a point in Allahabad (known as Prayag in ancient times).

Satluj River

Satluj River is the longest of five rivers in India flowing through the state of Punjab in India. Satluj also forms historic crossroad region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan. River Satluj has its source as Lake Rakshastal in Tibet near Mount Kailasa. Satluj is also called as the red river. The region to its south and east is called as Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert.

Indus River

River Sindhu or Indus River is one of longest rivers in India. Indus/Sindhu is the longest river flowing through Pakistan. Due to its Trans-national character, it is also called as father of rivers in India. This river is also called as the life-line of Pakistan. Its origin takes place in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar. Indus or Sindhu River forms a delta at Sindh province of Pakistan which is called by the name of Sapta Sindhu (Seven Rivers). This delta is a result of the collaboration of Sindhu River with the other six rivers in India naming Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Satluj, Ravi and Saraswati.

Tapi River

Tapti River is also known by the name of Tapi River. Tapti River is one of the three rivers in India which flow from east to west. This rivers in India rise from the Satpura range of southern Madhya Pradesh. Tapti goes from Madya Pradesh to Maharashtra and then to Gujrat and then finally ends up there in the Arabian Sea.

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Beas River

River Vyas is one of the five rivers in India that flow in the state of Punjab. River Vyas is also named as Beas. This river originates from Himalaya in central Himachal Pradesh. River Vyas after beginning its journey from Rohtang Pass at Himachal Pradesh and from there its flows to the western Punjab and then merges to Sutlej River.

Vyas River is named after the author of great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It is believed that Lord Shiva cut the Bhrigu Tung Mountain with his trishula to create a path which is now called as Rohtang pass. The interesting fact about this rivers in India is that it was marked as the eastern most border of Alexander the great conquest in 326 BC.

Yamuna River

River Yamuna is a holy Indian river that originates from Bundar Poonch glaciers, located in the Indian state Uttaranchal. Jamuna, as this river called by its Hindi name, begins its journey from Jamunotri in the north of Himalayan Ranges. The  Yamuna rises near Jamunotri and then begin its journey through Mathura Vrindavan.

After its long journey, she moves to southern India and then meets the Ganges at a point called Prayag. The Yamuna according to Hindu Mythology is considered to be more sacred than the Ganges since Lord Krishna use to play near the Yamuna. River Yamuna has a rich flora and fauna around it and shelters various wild animals.

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97 percent of the water on the Earth is salt water and only three percent is fresh water; slightly over two-thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen fresh water is found mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air.

India is endowed with a rich and vast diversity of natural resources, water being one of them. Its development and management play a vital role in agriculture production. Integrated water management is vital for poverty reduction, environmental sustenance, and sustainable economic development.

Fresh water on the earth is a renewable resource, yet the world’s supply of groundwater is steadily decreasing, with depletion occurring most prominently in Asia and North America, although it is still unclear how much natural renewal balances this usage, and whether ecosystems are threatened. The framework for allocating water resources to water users (where such a framework exists) is known as water rights.

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Surface water on the earth is water in a river, lake or fresh water wetland. Surface water is naturally replenished by precipitation and naturally lost through discharge to the oceans, evaporation, and sub-surface seepage.

Brazil is the country estimated to have the largest supply of fresh water in the world, followed by Russia and Canada.

It is estimated that 70% of worldwide water on the earth use is for irrigation, with 15-35% of irrigation withdrawals being unsustainable. It takes around 2,000 – 3,000 liters of water to produce enough food to satisfy one person’s daily dietary need.

It is estimated that 22% of worldwide water on the earth is used in industry. Major industrial users include hydroelectric dams, thermoelectric power plants, which use water for cooling, ore and oil refineries, which use water in chemical processes, and manufacturing plants, which use water as a solvent.

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It is estimated that 8% of worldwide water on the earth use is for household purposes. These include drinking water, bathing, cooking, sanitation, and gardening.

Environmental water on the earth usage includes watering of natural or artificial wetlands, artificial lakes intended to create wildlife habitat, fish ladders, and water releases from reservoirs timed to help fish spawn, or to restore more natural flow regimes.

Water pollution is one of the main concerns of the world today. Many pollutants threaten water supplies, but the most widespread, especially in developing countries, is the discharge of raw sewage into natural waters; this method of sewage disposal is the most common method in underdeveloped countries, but also is prevalent in quasi-developed countries such as China, India, Nepal, and Iran. Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water on the earth.

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Coastal Oil Refineries of India

Haldia (IOC), West Bengal – Primary based on imported crude oil. It also gets oil from Assam.

Vishakhapattanam (HPCL), Andhra Pradesh –Based on Imported cude oil.

Kochi (KRL, BPCL), Kerala –Based on imported crude oil.

Mangalore, Karnataka – The refinery here was previously a joint venture later bacame a governemnt undertaking after ONCG bough most of the shares of Manglore Refinary and Petrochemicals. It is based on imported crude oil.

Chennai (CPCL), Tamil Nadu –Based on crude oil.

Trombay (HPCL and BPCL), Mumbai Maharashtra – Here crude oil is obtained from Bombay High and Ankaleshwar.

Jamnagar (RPL), Gujarat –A private sector refinary run by the Reliance group. It is based on crude oil. It is the largest refinary in the country.

Paradeep, Odisha – Here the refinary has been established with the cooperation of Kuwait.

Ratnagiri, Maharashtra – Establishment of the refinery is in cooperation with Oman.

Nagapatnam, Tamil Nadu (CPCL) – Based on imported crude oil

Tatipaka (ONGC), Andhra Pradesh – Based on imported crude oil.

Vadinar (ESSAR), Gujarat – A private sector unit based on imported crude oil.

Market-based Oil Refineries

Barauni (IOC), Bihar – It has been established with the cooperation with Russia. Oil is brought from Naharkatiya Area, Assam. The dense population of Bihar provides it the market facility.

Mathura (IOC), Uttar Pradesh – Here, Oil is imported from Iraq. Oil is brought here from Haldia through pipelines.

Karnal (IOC), Haryana

Bina, Madhya Pradesh – Here, a refinery is being established (with the cooperation of Oman).

Bhatinda, Punjab

Raw Material Based Oil Refineries of India

Digboi (IOC), Assam – Based on local crude oil.

Bongaigaon (BRPL), Assam – Based on local crude oil.

Noonmati Guwahati (IOC), Assam – Crude oil is brought from Naharkatya area

Numaligarh (BPCL), Assam

Koyali (IOC), Gujarat – Largest public sector company. Crude oil of Gujarat is refined here.

Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh

Kandla, Gujarat

Marmgaon, Goa

India is an agricultural country which mainly depend on the rainfall. Different regions of India receive the different amount of rainfall. Based on the amount of rainfall they receive annually, renowned climatologist Kendrew categorized various parts of the country into 3 rainfall regions. They are as follows:

• HEAVY RAINFALL REGIONS
• LOW RAINFALL REGIONS
• MODERATE RAINFALL REGIONS

HEAVY RAINFALL REGIONS (>200CM):

The regions of the country which receive more than 200 cm of rainfall annually will come under the heavy rainfall regions. To receive such huge amount of rainfall some favourable conditions are needed like coastal location with mountain barriers, islands and many more. Let us take a look at them.

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MALABAR COAST:

The Malabar Coast includes entire Kerala and south western part of Karnataka. When the monsoonal winds enter the Malabar Coast from the Arabian Sea they are obstructed by the Western Ghats from proceeding further and due to this, there is heavy rainfall in the Malabar Coast.

ISLANDS:

The islands of India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea receive a huge amount of rainfall as they are present in the midst of water and no need of monsoonal winds to generate rainfall.

NORTH-EASTERN STATES:

The north eastern states of India (seven sister states) also come under heavy rainfall regions as there are mighty the Himalayas in the north to obstruct the monsoonal winds coming from the Bay of Bengal in the south.

We can find thick forests in the heavy rainfall regions of India. But, agriculture of main crops like rice and wheat cannot be done here due to the heavy wet surface.

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LOW RAINFALL REGIONS (<100 CM):

The areas of the country which receive less than 100 cm of rainfall annually come under this category. These regions are again divided into two sub categories:

• SEMI ARID REGIONS (50-100 CM)
• ARID REGIONS (0-50 CM)

SEMI-ARID REGIONS (50-100 CM):

The rain shadow interiors of the Western Ghats that mean Plateau regions of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh comes under this category. The Western Ghats which causes heavy rainfall in Malabar Coast obstruct the monsoon winds moving further thereby making these regions semi-arid.

In addition to these some parts of Western India such as Eastern Rajasthan, Parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi comes under this region. Only some agricultural crops can be grown here.

ARID REGIONS (0-50 CM):

The Arid region includes the Great Indian Desert in Rajasthan, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Leh&Ladakh regions in Jammu and Kashmir which sometimes don’t receive rainfall at all throughout the year.

MODERATE RAINFALL REGIONS (100-200 CM):

The rest of Indian region comprising of Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu), Utkal coast (Orissa and northern coastal Andhra Pradesh), parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Konkan Coast (Maharashtra and Goa), West Bengal receive the moderate amount of rainfall. All types of food crops and commercial crops are grown in these areas.

In addition to the Himalayan region is also present which exhibits typical reception of annual rainfall that is it receive all types of rainfall mentioned above and thus the vegetation grown.

CONCLUSION:

Thus, this classification of India based on the reception of annual rainfall helps us to plan our agriculture preferences, Dam construction regions and so on and hence of strategic importance.

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