Names, lengths and origin of rivers of India

All rivers in India are considered as holy/religious spots and they play a significant role in Indian traditions in different manners since primordial times. India’s every region is spotted with several major rivers. A river is a natural waterway of freshwater, which flows towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river.

Most of the major rivers of India flow towards the east and drain out into the Bay of Bengal. There are only five rivers in India that flow from east to west Narmada, Mahi, Tapti river, Luni and Sabarmati and drain out into the Arabian Sea.

Names, lengths and origin of rivers of India

Gangotri Glacier (Bhagirathi), Uttarakhand

Bay of Bengal

Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand

Merges with Ganga at Allahabad (Triveni Sangam - Kumbh Mela spot

Brahmaputra

Himalayan Glacier in Tibet, but enters India in Arunachal Pradesh

Merges with Ganga and ends in Bay of Bengal

Tributary of Yamuna river, starting at Madhya Pradesh

Joins Yamuna river in UP

Tributary of Ganga, starting at Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

Joins Ganga just above Patna - also considered part of Vindhya river system

Nepal; Ganges tributary at Indo-Nepal border (Triveni Sangam)