List of Rivers of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is known for its glittering rivers, which pour from the Himalayan peaks’ majestic glaciers. The holy rivers Ganga and tributaries of Ganga river and Yamuna flow through Uttarakhand, making it a hallowed land. Beyond those holy river basins, the state also serves as a crossroads for several other rivers. The rivers are also fed by glaciers in the Western Himalayas, which are found on the Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan borders. Some of the other rivers of Uttarakhand are Kali, Tons, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Kosi etc.

Rivers of Uttarakhand

• The Bhagirathi River

The Bhagirathi River originates at Gaumukh, Uttarakhand, at the head of the Gangotri glacier. Together with the Alaknanda, this river is one of Ganga’s two primary headwaters. Despite the fact that the Alaknanda river is significantly longer than that of the Bhagirathi, folklore holds that the Bhagirathi is the major source of the Ganga.

• Alaknanda River

The Alaknanda River flows through Uttarakhand and is among the two headstreams of the holy Ganga river in Uttarakhand. The confluence of the Satopanth Glacier and the Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier is the source of the Alaknanda River. The Alaknanda River, which originates in Uttarakhand, has several tributaries like the Ganga river.

• Yamuna River

The Yamuna is another one of the sacred rivers of Uttarakhand in Hindu mythology that flows from the Yamuna glacier, which is at an elevation of 6,315 metres. The melting glacier flows from below the top of Kalindi Parbat to the Saptarishi Kund, where the river’s journey begins. The primary definition of “Triveni Sangam” is the meeting point of three rivers: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati.

• Bhilangna River

The Bhilangna River is a significant tributary of the Bhagirathi River, which are the headwaters of the Ganga river in Uttarakhand. The river is 80 kilometres long. Ghuttu, Biroda, Kalyani, Bhelbahi, Ghonti, and other large towns are served by the river. The river empties into the Bhagirathi in ancient Tehri, where the Tehri Dam was built.

• Ganga River

According to Hinduism, the river Ganga is the holiest of all rivers. This sacred river body is mentioned in numerous ancient relics, symbolising qualities of divinity, spirituality, moksha, and cleanliness. The Ganges River, often seen as a soul river as well as divinity, flows from Gomukh in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Gangotri Glacier, Satopanth Glacier, and Khatling Glacier are the sources. The tributaries of the Ganga river are Bhagirathi and Alaknanda.

• Kali River

The Kali River, also known as the Sharda River and the Mahakali River, begins in the Himalayas near Kalapani, in the Pithoragarh region of Uttarakhand, India, at the height of 3,600 m (11,800 ft). The Dhauliganga joins the Kali River in Tawaghat in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

• Ramganga River(eastern)

The source of the eastern Ramganga River is Namik Glacier, which is located southeast of Nandakot Mountain. This river, similar to Gaumukh and Gangotri Glacier, originates from Gau-Mukh.

• Saraswati River

The Saraswati river really exists, although it is rather ‘lost in translation.’ It is a stream of the River Alaknanda. It meets the nearby Mana village of Uttarakhand at Keshav Prayag. A beautiful stone bridge named “Bhim Pul” spans the river and finally drops into a passageway leading to Vasundhara falls and Satopanth lake.  

• Gaula River

The Gaula is a minor Himalayan river that runs for 103 kilometres. The river flows from the Ramganga, which is a source of the Ganga. The river’s headwaters are in the Sattal lakes near Paharpani, and its mouth is in Kichha.

• Gori Ganga

Gori Ganga, also referred to as Gori Gad and Ghori Ganga, is a river in Uttarakhand’s Munsiyari tehsil in the Pithoragarh district. The river flows from the Milam Glacier for 104 kilometres before joining the Kali River at Jauljibi.

• Kosi River

The Kosi River flows in Uttarakhand, beginning in the Himalayas near Dharpani Dhar, as well as eventually joining the adjacent Ramganga River through Uttar Pradesh. The river also provides irrigation water to the cities of  Ghat, Bujan, & Amdana, Betal, and Ramnagar.

• Mandakini River

The Mandakini River flows from the Chorabari Glacier near Kedarnath in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Alaknanda River is a tributary and receives its water from the Vasukiganga River in Sonprayag.

• Nandakini River

The Nanda Ghunghati glaciers in the Nanda Devi National Forest feed the huge Nandakini river. The river flows for 56 kilometres before reaching Nandprayag, one of several Panch Prayag, where it joins the famous Alaknanda river. This is also a renowned hiking destination in Uttarakhand.

• Saryu River

Many rivers originate in the Kumaon area. Saryu is a major river in Uttarakhand that originates in the Kumaon area. It begins in Sarmool and runs for 145 kilometres before reaching Pancheshwar. The river travels through the beautiful Malla Katyur valley, where it meets a number of large and minor tributaries.

• Tons River

Tons is a large perennial river that often runs through the Garhwal Himalayan Mountains but also across sections of Himachal Pradesh. When the Tons river reaches the Yamuna river near Kalsi, there in Doon valley, it transports a lot of water. It is the Yamuna’s longest tributary, stretching for around 148 kilometres.

• Nayar River (Eastern)

The Nayar River has a tributary of the sacred Ganga River. It rises from the Garhwal Dudhatoli hills in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district. The eastern Nayar River is 94 kilometres long.

• Pindari River

The Pindari River is a large Himalayan river that flows from the Pindari glaciers, among the most popular and arduous hiking destinations in Uttarakhand. The river runs for around 105 kilometres and passes through numerous small villages such as Bhagoli, Kulsari, Nauti, and Tharli.

• Nayar River (Western)

The western Nayar River, like the eastern Nayar, starts in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district from the Dudhatoli hills of Garhwal. It has a length of 91 kilometres and is also called Paschimi Nayar.

• Dhauliganga River-Kumaon

The Dhauliganga River flows through Uttarakhand’s Kumaon division, beginning in Govan Khana Himani as well as ending at Taawadhar. It is a branch or tributary of the Kali River.

• Ramganga River (Western)

The Ramganga West River rises from the Dudhatoli hills in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal region. The Ramganga River is approximately about 155 kilometres long, and the basin’s catchment area is 30,641 kilometres square.

Conclusion

So, these are the major rivers that flow from Uttarakhand and carry great significance in terms of religion, tourism, dams, tracking, irrigation, glaciers etc. The tributaries of the Ganga River, along with other rivers’ tributaries, carry huge importance and connection to several other river systems.