Have you ever wondered which are the longest rivers in India, and why they are of any interest to us in our everyday life? Rivers are not just streams. They provide us with drinking water, assist in crop production and allow us to construct towns.
Whether it is the divine Ganga or the mighty Brahmaputra, every river has tales of culture, history and the natural world. It is these rivers that connect mountains and sea, villages and cities and that bring life and beauty to India. Are you prepared to look at the rivers in India?
Here in this blog, we are going to give you a tour of the top 10 longest rivers in India, their significance, the places they flow through, and the stories they hold.
Top 10 Longest Rivers in India
The rivers in India hold great significance due to their uses, spirituality, and culture. Below are some of the longest rivers in India that contribute to the country’s growth, as well as are a source of various spiritual beliefs.
1. Ganga River
The Ganga is the pride of India, and it is one of the longest rivers in India. It is a stretch of 2,525 km that flows from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand and empties into the Bay of Bengal. It is not merely a water body but is considered to be a religious one, and each year, millions of people come to the ghats to take a dip in it. It hosts millions of residents in its fertile basin, relying on it as a source of agricultural produce, drinking water, and cultural rites.
Length: 2,525 km
Source: Gangotri Glacier, Uttarakhand.
States it covers: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
2. Godavari River
The second-longest river in India is the Dakshina Ganga, or Ganga of the South, commonly known as the Godavari. It runs 1,465 km and flows through various states. It originates in Maharashtra and flows into Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The river has contributed to the fertility of farmlands as well as diffusing large numbers of cultural festivals along its shores.
Length: 1,465 km
Source: Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra
States it covers: Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
3. Krishna River
The Krishna River is the third longest river in India, with a stretch of 1,400 km. It originates in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and cuts across Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. It has gained popularity due to its fertile delta and supports rice culture besides supplying water to millions. The river contains numerous dams as well, such as Nagarjuna Sagar and Almatti.
Length: 1,400 km
Source: Mahabaleshwar and Maharashtra.
States it covers: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
4. Yamuna River
The Yamuna, which is a prominent tributary of the Ganga, is one of the longest rivers in India and the longest river in North India after the Ganga, with a length of 1,376 km. It originated at Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand, and passes through Delhi, Agra, and Mathura, cities with a rich cultural and historical heritage. The Taj Mahal is gracefully placed on its banks, making it among the most iconic rivers in the country.
Length: 1,376 km
Source: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand.
States it covers: Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh.
End Point: Meeting point of the Ganga at Prayagraj.
5. Narmada River
The Narmada is a 1,312 km long river that drains westwards and is among the few rivers in India. It has its source at the Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh, and it drains into the Arabian Sea. It is surrounded by marble rocks, ghats, and temples. It is known as the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and is often considered a line that divides North and South India.
Length: 1,312 km
Source: Ararkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
States it covers: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
End Point: Arabian Sea
6. Indus River
The Indus River is the longest river in the Indian subcontinent and has a length of approximately 3,180 km, but with only 1,114 km flowing in India. It has its beginning in Tibet and passes by Ladakh to Pakistan. It is historically recognised to have been named India, and host to the Indus Valley civilisation, the oldest urban society in the world.
Length: 3,180 km
Source: Tibet
States it covers: .Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
End Point: Arabian Sea (Pakistan).
7. Brahmaputra River
The Brahmaputra is among the largest rivers in Asia, whose total river length measures 2,900 km (916km within India). It is located in Tibet and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh, after which it flows into Assam. It is known to be strong and it every year overtops the plains, but it also fertilises the ground, making farming possible. It has an extended river basin, which is a distinctive ecosystem.
Length: 2,900 km
Source: Angsi Glacier, Tibet
States it covers: The states are Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
8. Mahanadi River
The Mahanadi is an 858 km long river and is considered the lifeline of Odisha. It begins in Chhattisgarh and sweeps through Odisha to the Bay of Bengal. One of the longest dams constructed on this river is the Hirakud Dam. It has a significant contribution to irrigation, electricity production, and fisheries in eastern India.
Length: 858 km
Source: Chhattisgarh state at the Raipur District.
States it covers: Chhattisgarh, Odisha.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
9. Kaveri River
The Kaveri is a river flowing 800 km, beginning with its source in the Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka. It is among the greatest South Indian rivers and the longest rivers in India, and it is also known as the “Ganga of the South”. The river sustains Tamil Nadu and Karnataka agriculture and is credited with magnificent views, waterfalls, and the temples located all over the river.
Length: 800 km
Source: Talakaveri, in Karnataka.
States it covers: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
End Point: Bay of Bengal
10. Tapti River
Tapti River has a 724 km long flow, which makes it one of the three rivers in peninsular India that flow west, along with the Narmada and Mahi. It has its origin in the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh and drains to the Arabian Sea. Although it is shorter, it has a significant role in irrigation and industry in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Length: 724 km
Source: The Rangaupenyala, in Madhya Pradesh.
States it covers: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
End Point: Arabian Sea
Conclusion
Take a tour along these rivers, visit their ghats, see sunsets in the waters, and get inspired. In India, Rivers are not a matter of geography; they are a matter of pure feelings. The longest river of the Indian subcontinent, the Indus, is the memory of one of our ancient civilisations, whereas the Yamuna, the longest river of North India, is the remembrance of culture. The next time you think about what the longest river in India is, you will know, and be able to tell its history as well.
