India, the land of rivers is known worldwide for its serene waterbodies, strong mountains, boundless coastal plains, and sprinkled islands. Needless to say, each state of India seems like a country in itself, offering diverse weather, geography, culture, food, people, and traditions. While many people think INDUS is the longest river in India, the truth is it’s not! Well, let’s find out which is the longest river in India then.
In India, all the rivers are divided into two parts – Himalayan Rivers, and Peninsular Rivers. Peninsular Rivers are rain-fed, while Himalayan Rivers are perennial. In simple words, Himalayan Rivers get filled with water coming from snow and rain while Peninsular Rivers are fed by rain only.
Which Is The Longest River In India?
The Ganges(Ganga) is the Longest River in India.
It flows entirely through the mainland and is 2525 km long. It is a Gangotri Glacier product.
Ramganga, Garra, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Koshi, and Mahananda are tributaries of the River Ganga on its left bank. Yamuna, Tamsa, Son, Punpun, Kiul, Karmanasa, and Chandan are tributaries of the River Ganga on its right bank. Water from the river is released into the Bay of Bengal. This body of water is located between Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
The Geographical Region of the Ganges River:
The river drains a total of about 861452 km2. It receives the Yamuna, a right-bank tributary that rises in the western Indian Himalayas, and many left-bank tributaries from Nepal, which account for most of its flow as it runs southeast across the Gangetic plain of North India.
The Alaknanda is considered the source stream in hydrology due to its greater length. The Bhagirathi, regarded as the source stream in Hindu mythology, converges in the town of Devprayag, where the main stem of the Ganges begins.
Ganges River – The Famous History
The Greek ambassador Megasthenes was the first traveller from Europe to mention the Ganges (ca. 350–290 BCE). In his work Indica, he accomplished this multiple times “Again, India is home to a vast number of navigable rivers, many of which join to form the Ganges. These rivers originate in the mountains that border the country’s northern border and flow across the country’s level terrain. Now, this river, which is 30 stages wide at its source, travels from north to south before emptying into the ocean to create the eastern border of the Gangaridai, a country home to a sizable population of the largest elephants.”
Wildlife in the Ganges:
One of the most biodiverse river systems in the world, the Ganges supports a wide variety of animal species. This river system is home to about 140 freshwater fish species, 90 amphibian species, and 315 bird species.
Top 13 Longest Rivers in India After the Ganges
Which is the Longest River In India (1). Godavari (1464 km)
Godavari River is home to India’s second-largest drainage basin after the Ganges. The river originates in Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, and spans a vast 10% of the subcontinent.
Which is the Longest River In India (2). Krishna (1400 km)
The revered Krishna River originates on the Deccan Plateau. In terms of the volume of water entering the river and the size of the basin, it is ranked as the fourth-largest river. This 1,400 km long river, also known as Krishna Devi, is a significant source of agricultural irrigation.
Which is the Longest River In India (3). Yamuna (1376 km)
According to the discharge area, the Yamuna River—sometimes pronounced Jamuna—is renowned for being the second-largest tributary of the Ganga River. The Champasak Glacier, which is located beyond the Yamunotri shrine, is where the Yamuna originates, at a height of 14,800 feet.
Which is the Longest River In India (4). Narmada (1312 km)
The Narmada River, the largest flowing river in India, ranks fifth among India’s river systems in terms of length. The river flows across Gujarat as well and is known as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat’s lifeline.
Which is the Longest River In India (5). Indus (1114 km)
The mountain springs of Mount Kailash in western Tibet are where the river starts. It crosses Pakistan, passes through the contentious region of Kashmir, and then makes a dramatic left turn close to the Nanga Parbat range before emptying into the Arabian Sea.
Which is the Longest River In India (6). Brahmaputra (916 km)
The Brahmaputra River originates in the Mansarovar lake basin of Mount Kailash and creates a transboundary between Tibet, India, and Bangladesh. It has gained the distinction of having the ninth-greatest discharge area and the 15th-longest river in the world along with being the widest river in india.
Which is the Longest River In India (7). Mahanadi (890 km)
The Mahanadi river spans a distance of about 900 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the main river systems in the east-central part of the subcontinent.
Which is the Longest River In India (8). Kaveri (800 km)
In addition to being one of the longest rivers in India, the Kaveri also has a significant flow in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Talakaveri in the Karnataka state of Kodagu district of the Western Ghats’ Brahmagiri range is where the Kaveri River originates.
Which is the Longest River In India (9). Tapti (724 km)
The Tapi River travels west before emptying into the Arabian Sea and is situated south of the Narmada River. The goddess Tapati, a daughter of Surya, is honoured by having the river bear her name.
Which is the Longest River In India (10). Manjira River (724 km)
One of the principal tributaries of the revered Godavari River, the Manjira River has its source in the Balaghat range of hills in Ahmednagar at an elevation of 2,700 feet. The river flows through the states of Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Which is the Longest River In India (11). Penna River (597 km)
One of the most significant rivers in South India is the Penna River. With its source in the Nandi highlands, the Pennar River is regarded as one of the most distinctive rivers in the entire globe.
Which is the Longest River In India (12). Damodar River (592 km)
One of these states’ main sources of water is the Damodar River, which flows through the mineral-rich valleys and landscapes of the Indian states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Which is the Longest River In India (13). Mahi River (583 km)
A significant river named Mahi originates in Madhya Pradesh and flows through western India. It travels 583 kilometres from its point of birth to the Arabian Sea, stopping in Gujarat and Rajasthan along the way.
Conclusion:
Now that you know which is the longest river in india! The Ganges is a lifeline for the millions of people who reside in its basin and rely on it for their daily necessities. It is also one of the holy rivers and is mentioned in Hindu mythology numerous times. So, Why wait? Plan and take a trip around the land and the rivers to experience the scenic beauty.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) –
1. Which is the Deepest River in India?
The Brahmaputra River, which has a depth of 380 ft, is the deepest in India. One of the world’s most significant rivers originates in the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash mountain range close to Mansarovar Lake.
2. Why are the Ganges called the Longest River?
The Ganges sometimes called the Ganga in India, is the longest river in India and the most sacred river in Hinduism. It is India’s longest river. It travels over a 2525-kilometre stretch.
3. How many Big Rivers are in India?
The Indian system comprises seven significant rivers (the Indus, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi) with many tributaries.
