India has a complex and diverse system of rivers, with many major rivers and their tributaries flowing through the country. These rivers can be broadly classified into four groups based on their geographical location and the drainage basins they belong to.
- Himalayan Rivers: The first group is the Himalayan rivers, which originate in the Himalayas and flow through the northern and northeastern parts of India. These rivers are fed by melting snow and glaciers, and their water levels are typically highest during the monsoon season. Some examples of Himalayan rivers include the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Indus. The Ganges is the longest river in India and is one of the holiest rivers in Hinduism. It flows through northern and eastern India before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra is another major river in India, originating in Tibet and flowing through the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
- Deccan Rivers: The second group is the Deccan rivers, which flow through the central and southern parts of India, in the Deccan Plateau region. These rivers are fed by rainfall and their water levels are typically highest during the monsoon season. Some examples of Deccan rivers include the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Cauvery. The Godavari is the second longest river in India and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The Krishna is another major river in India and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
- Coastal Rivers: The third group is the coastal rivers, which flow along the coast of India and empty into the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are shorter in length and their water levels are influenced by tidal changes. Some examples of coastal rivers include the Narmada, the Tapi, and the Periyar. The Narmada is a major river in central India and flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The Tapi is a river in western India and flows through the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian Sea.
- Rivers of the inland drainage basin: The fourth group is the rivers of the inland drainage basin, which flow through the central and western parts of India and have no outlet to the sea. These rivers are typically dry for much of the year and their water levels are dependent on rainfall. Some examples of these rivers include the Luni and the Sabarmati. The Luni is a river in western India and flows through the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat before disappearing into the Thar Desert. The Sabarmati is a river in western India and flows through the state of Gujarat before disappearing into the Rann of Kutch.
Each of these groups of rivers plays a vital role in the lives of the people of India, providing water for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, as well as serving as an important transportation corridor. They are also important cultural and spiritual sites for many people in India. The rivers of India are an essential part of the country’s natural and cultural landscape, and their management and conservation are critical for the well-being of the people and the environment.