India is a land of Rivers and Rivers play an important role in the development of the country. The Rivers of India can be classified as Himalayan, peninsular, coastal, and inland-drainage basin rivers. Many of the Indian Rivers are considered holy and are of significant importance in the life of the Indian People. Rivers like The Ganges (Ganga), Brahmaputra, and the Yamuna are the most famous Indian Rivers.
Most of the Indian rivers flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal but there are only three rivers in India that run from east to west Narmada, Mahi, and Tapti River. This information about the rivers is given to help you understand the River Map of India better.
The Himalayan Rivers, as the name, suggests originate from the Himalayas and flow through the Northern Plains.
The Major Himalayan River systems are:
- The Indus River System,
- The Ganga River System
- The Yamuna River System
- The Brahmaputra River System
The Peninsular River System or Peninsular Drainage emerges mainly from the Western Ghats.
The Major Peninsular River Systems are:
- Mahanadi
- Godavari
- Krishna
- Cauvery
India River Map With Names
Major Rivers of India Map
Indus River
- The Indus River is the longest river in India, flowing for about 3,180 kilometers (1,975 miles).
- It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows westward through India, Pakistan, and into the Arabian Sea.
- The Indus River is fed by snow and glaciers from the Himalayan mountains.
- It is a major source of irrigation for agriculture in India and Pakistan.
Tributaries: (Left tributaries-Zanskar River, Suru River, Soan River, Jhelum River, Chenab River, Ravi River, Beas River, Sutlej River, Panjnad River, Ghaggar-Hakra River, Luni River) (Right tributaries-Shyok River, Hunza River, Gilgit River, Swat River, Kunar River, Kabul River, Kurram River, Gomal River, Zhob River).
Ganges River
- The Ganges River is the most sacred river in Hinduism.
- It originates in the Himalayan mountains and flows eastward through India and into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Ganges River is a major source of irrigation for agriculture in India.
- It is also a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims.
Brahmaputra River
- The Brahmaputra River is the second longest river in India, flowing for about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles).
- It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows eastward through India, Bangladesh, and into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Brahmaputra River is fed by snow and glaciers from the Himalayan mountains.
- It is a major source of irrigation for agriculture in India and Bangladesh.
Yamuna River
- The Yamuna River is the main tributary of the Ganges River.
- It originates in the Himalayan mountains and flows southward through India and into the Ganges River.
- The Yamuna River is a major source of irrigation for agriculture in India.
- It is also a popular tourist destination.
✅All Rivers In India Map
There are 8 major river systems in India, with more than 400 rivers in total. Rivers like the Ganges (with its tributaries Kameika, Yamuna, Chambal, Gomti), Brahmaputra, Godavari, Mahanadi, Kaveri, and Krishna are the major in India major rivers map.
✅Which is the Oldest River in India?
The 70-year-old former Chief Minister and his wife Amrita started the “parikrama” (circumambulation ) of the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh as a “religious and spiritual” exercise. Singh said the Narmada is the “oldest” river in India and advocated its revival.