10 Rivers In India: The country of India is one of the most diverse in the world. There is a wide network of Peninsular and Himalayan rivers. India is also called the Land of longest rivers because numerous rivers flow over this beautiful country. The Ganges, India’s largest river, is also the third-longest river in the world. It is extremely fertile along these rivers, which helps many civilizations to thrive gloriously. People worship these rivers as God and Goddesses in India because they act as a lifeline.
Based on their origin, Indian rivers are widely divided into two categories, Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers. Ganga, Indus, and Yamuna are some of the most popular Himalayan Rivers, while Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri are some of the Peninsular Rivers. Most of these rivers flow towards the East and mingle with the Bay of Bengal.
Longest Rivers of India: 10 Rivers In India
Below is the list of the top 10 longest rivers in India in terms of length.
| Top 10 longest rivers in India | |||
| Sr. No. | River | Length in India (km) | Total Length (km) |
| 1. | Ganga | 2525 | 2525 |
| 2. | Godavari | 1464 | 1465 |
| 3. | Krishna | 1400 | 1400 |
| 4. | Yamuna | 1376 | 1376 |
| 5. | Narmada | 1312 | 1312 |
| 6. | Indus | 1114 | 3180 |
| 7. | Brahmaputra | 916 | 2900 |
| 8. | Mahanadi | 890 | 890 |
| 9. | Kaveri | 800 | 800 |
| 10. | Tapti | 724 | 724 |
1. Ganges (2525 KM)
10 Rivers In India: Ganga or Ganges is the longest and most sacred river in India. People worship it as goddess Ganga. This river also has many mythological stories associated with it. This longest and largest river in India originates from the Himalayas from a glacier named Gangotri. This glacier is situated in Uttarakhand. After crossing 2525 km, it mingles with the Bay of Bengal. Ganga flows over one-fourth of the Indian map, and the basin of Ganga is one of the most populated areas, containing millions of people. Ganga also falls amongst the longest rivers in the world. Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal are some states this river covers and ends in Bangladesh.
2. Godavari (1464 KM)
The Godavari River is India’s second largest river. In Indian scriptures, you can find the name of this river. For thousands of years, the bank of the Godavari River has nourished Indian civilization. People also call this river Dakshina Ganga. It is the longest river in the South region of India. It originates from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra and flows through Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh. Eventually, it merges with the Bay of Bengal after crossing 1450 km.
3. Krishna (1400 KM)
From the Western Ghats of Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, the third largest river of India, Krishna originates. This is one of the most known peninsular rivers in India. It runs through various Indian states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana. Finally it meets the Bay of Bengal near Andhra Pradesh.
4. Yamuna (1376 KM)
Yamuna is a tributary river of Ganga. From a glacier named Yamunotri, situated in the Bandarpoonch peak in Uttarakhand, the Yamuna River originates. It crosses some states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. This river is also the largest tributary of Gang.
5. Narmada (1312 KM)
Narmada is also a peninsular river that flows west in this country. From the mountains of Madhya Pradesh, this river originates from a range named Amarkantak. Narmada River is also mentioned in different Hindu ancient scriptures; this is also one of the seven holy rivers of India. After covering 1300 km, Narmada merges with the Arabian Sea.
6. Indus (1114 KM)
Indus is one of the most historically significant rivers in India. On the banks of this river, the Indus civilization flourished. The name of the country itself originated from the name of this river. The birthplace of the Indus River is Mansarovar Lake. From there, it flows through Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit. Later, it enters Pakistan. According to the treaty between India and Pakistan, India can use 20% of the water of the Indus River. Kabul River, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Beas, and Jhelum are some of the most popular tributaries of the Indus River. The whole river crosses a path of 3180 km, among which only 1114 km passes through India.
7. Brahmaputra (916 KM)
From a glacier named Angsi, situated in the Tibetan Himalayas, the Brahmaputra River originates. Here, the river is known by its other name, which is the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Through Arunachal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra River enters India. Then via Assam, it enters Bangladesh. Brahmaputra River is also known as the lifeline of Assam. Its delta offers a fertile home to almost 140 million people.
8. Mahanadi (890 KM)
Mahanadi originates from two Sanskrit words, ‘maha’, which means great, and ‘Nadi’, which means river. So, Mahanadi is the Great River of India. In Chhattisgarh, from the mountain named Sihava, this river originates. From its birthplace, Mahanadi mainly flows through Odisha. Hirakud dam, the largest dam in India, is also constructed on this river. The dam is located in Odisha, near a city named Sambalpur. A 55 km long reservoir situated behind the Hirakud Dam is considered the longest Asian artificial lake.
9. Kaveri (800 KM)
Cauvery or Kaveri is the longest river in Tamil Nadu. The river originates from the Western Ghats near Talakaveri. It is situated in the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. The Kaveri river flows south-east and crosses Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and merges with the Bay of Bengal. In this 800 KM path, Kaveri River also forms two islands named Shivanasamudra and Srirangapatna. People also call the Kaveri River the Ganga of the South.
10. Tapti (724 KM)
Tapti is a peninsular river that flows through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. It mingles with the Arabian Sea. Tapti is one of the three major peninsular rivers which flows from the East to West in India. Melghat forest gets its life from the Tapti River. This forest is home to many rare and rich flora and fauna.
These are the top 10 largest rivers of India. They not only keep the surrounding Land fertile, they also have nurtured Indian civilization for ages. The rivers of India have become its main source of life. These rivers also hold a lot of religious and cultural values. They have saved people from drought and other natural calamities. That is why Indians truly worship these rivers as deities. These rivers have made India richer and more nourished.
The economic significance of Indian rivers is worth mentioning. They are the source of freshwater, giving birth to many civilizations. The water of the river is also used for agriculture. The agriculture of many Indian states is solely dependent on river water to this date. Rivers are also used for hydropower projects which boosts the emergency production of India. To witness these rivers, people from different parts of the world visit India. So, the tourism sector has also flourished because of these rivers. Rivers are also used for the transportation of goods and people. All these have enriched the economic condition of India. That is why Indian rivers hold many historical, economic, religious, and cultural values to all of us.
FAQs: Rivers of India
Where is the origin of the river Ganga?
Ans: River Ganga originated from a glacier named Gangotri, which is in Uttarakhand.
Which river is also called the Dakshina Ganga?
Ans: Godavari River is known as Dakshina Ganga
Which is the longest tributary river of the Ganga?
Ans: Yamuna is the longest tributary river of Ganga.
Which river is also called Rewa?
Ans: Narmada River is also called Rewa.
In which sea does the Narmada river merge?
Ans: Narmada River merges with the Arabian Sea.
What is the total length of the Indus river?
Ans: Indus River is 3180 km long in total.
Which river is also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River?
Ans: Brahmaputra is also known as Yarlung Tsangpo River.
Which river is called the Ganges of the South?
Ans: Kaveri River is called the Ganges of the South.
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