India is a land of many rivers. Its geographical area is intersected by a large number of big and small rivers. Rivers are our lifeline. It may not be an exaggeration to say that the rivers are the heart and soul of Indian life. Here is a list of the major rivers in all Indian states and union territories.
| No | State | Major Rivers |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Gautami Godavari Godavari Krishna River Palar Pennar Tungabhadra |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Subansiri Lohit/ Tellu R Dihang/Siang Kameng |
| 3 | Assam | Subansiri Lohit/ Tellu R Dihang/Siang Kopili Dhaleswari Barak Dhaleswari Kameng Brahmaputra Kameng |
| 4 | Bihar | Ghaghara Ganga Ajay N Burhi Gandak Mahananda Kosi Gandak Son River |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Mahanadi Godavari Indravati Hasdeo Son River |
| 6 | Goa | More details |
| 7 | Gujarat | Yamuna Sahibi River |
| 8 | Haryana | Yamuna Ghagghar Sahibi River |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Yamuna Ghagghar Beas Satluj Chenab |
| 11 | Jharkhand | Damodar Baitarani Ganga Barakar Ajay N Son River Southkoel Subarnarekha |
| 12 | Karnataka | Krishna River Cauvery Pennar Netravati Kalinadi Manjra Palar Sharavati Bhima River Tungabhadra |
| 13 | Kerala | Bharathapuzha Kallada Kalpathi Puzha Koraiyar R Mannuaur R Periyar Ponnan R Pulantod Varattar |
| 14 | Madhya Pradesh | Betwa River Chambal River Dhasan River Ken River Mahi Narmada Parbati River Son River Tapi Tons Wainganga Wardha |
| 15 | Maharashtra | Amba Ambika Bhima River Girna Godavari Indravati Krishna River Manjra Narmada Pranhitha Purna Tapi Wainganga Wardha |
| 16 | Manipur | Barak |
| 17 | Meghalaya | Kopili |
| 18 | Mizoram | Barak Dhaleswari |
| 19 | Nagaland | Barak |
| 20 | Odisha | Baitarani Brahmani Indravati Mahanadi Southkoel Subarnarekha |
| 21 | Punjab | Beas Ghagghar Satluj |
| 22 | Rajasthan | Banas Banas River Chambal River Luni River Mahi Parbati River Sabarmati Sahibi River |
| 23 | Sikkim | Teesta |
| 24 | Tamil Nadu | Cauvery Palar Ponnaiyar Vaigai Varattar |
| 25 | Tripura | – |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Betwa River Chambal River Dhasan River Gandak Ganga Ghaghara Gomti Ken River Ramganga Son River Tons Yamuna |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Ganga Ramganga Yamuna |
| 28 | West Bengal | Ajay N Barakar Bhagirathi Bhairab R Damodar Ganga Ganga or Padma Hooghly River Jalangi N Jaldhaka Mahananda Subarnarekha Teesta Torsa |
| 29 | Telangana | Bhima River Godavari Krishna River Manjra Pranhitha Tungabhadra Wainganga Wardha |
Uttar Pradesh is often considered the “most river state” in India due to its extensive network of rivers and tributaries. This northern Indian state is traversed by numerous rivers, including the Ganges (Ganga), Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Son, and many others. These rivers are integral to the state’s agriculture, culture, and economy, making Uttar Pradesh one of the most river-rich regions in India.
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | – |
| 2 | Chandigarh | – |
| 3 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu | – |
| 4 | Jammu & Kashmir | Indus Chenab |
| 5 | Laddakh | Indus |
| 6 | Lakshadweep | – |
| 7 | Delhi | Sahibi River Yamuna |
| 8 | Puducherry | Gautami Godavari Ponnaiyar |
The Longest rivers in each of the Indian State
India, known for its rich and diverse geography, is home to a multitude of rivers that crisscross the country. These waterways have not only shaped the landscapes but have also played pivotal roles in the cultural, historical, and economic development of the nation. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the longest rivers in each Indian state.
1. Andhra Pradesh – The Godavari (1,465 km):
- Originating in Maharashtra, the Godavari flows through Andhra Pradesh before merging with the Bay of Bengal. Known as the “Dakshin Ganga” or the Ganges of the South, it sustains agriculture in the region.
2. Arunachal Pradesh – The Brahmaputra (2,900 km):
- The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet, flows through Arunachal Pradesh. It’s often referred to as the “Son of the Himalayas” and is a lifeline for the northeastern states.
3. Assam – The Brahmaputra (2,900 km):
- Continuing its journey from Arunachal Pradesh, the Brahmaputra is the longest river in Assam. It shapes the unique ecosystem of the state’s floodplains and is vital for agriculture and transportation.
4. Bihar – The Ganges (2,525 km):
- The Ganges, originating in Uttarakhand, flows through Bihar. It’s not just a river but a sacred entity for millions of people, and its fertile plains support agriculture.
5. Chhattisgarh – The Mahanadi (858 km):
- The Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh and eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal. It’s crucial for irrigation and supports diverse flora and fauna in the Mahanadi delta.
6. Goa – The Mandovi (77 km):
- While Goa may not have a long river, the Mandovi is significant. It flows through the state and is essential for transportation and tourism.
7. Gujarat – The Narmada (1,312 km):
- The Narmada, originating in Madhya Pradesh, flows through Gujarat. Known as the “Life Line of Gujarat,” it provides water for irrigation and sustains the state’s industries.
8. Haryana – The Yamuna (1,376 km):
- The Yamuna, originating in Uttarakhand, enters Haryana and plays a crucial role in the state’s irrigation and water supply.
9. Himachal Pradesh – The Sutlej (1,450 km):
- The Sutlej originates in Tibet, flows through Himachal Pradesh, and provides hydropower and water resources to the state.
10. Jharkhand – The Damodar (592 km):
- The Damodar River, originating in the Chota Nagpur Plateau, flows through Jharkhand. It’s known as the “Sorrow of Bengal” due to its history of flooding.
11. Karnataka – The Krishna (1,400 km):
- The Krishna River starts in Maharashtra, flows through Karnataka, and is essential for irrigation, power generation, and supporting the state’s agriculture.
12. Kerala – The Periyar (244 km):
- The Periyar River, originating in the Western Ghats, flows through Kerala. It sustains the state’s ecosystem and provides water for various purposes.
13. Madhya Pradesh – The Narmada (1,312 km):
- The Narmada River, originating in Amarkantak Plateau, flows through Madhya Pradesh, providing water for agriculture and industries.
14. Maharashtra – The Godavari (1,465 km):
- The Godavari, born in Maharashtra’s Trimbak Plateau, is not only the longest river in the state but also the second longest in India.
15. Manipur – The Barak (900 km):
- The Barak River flows through Manipur and is essential for irrigation and transportation in the state.
16. Meghalaya – The Umngot (80 km):
- The Umngot River, although short in length, is known for its crystal-clear waters and is a significant tourist attraction.
17. Mizoram – The Tlawng (185 km):
- The Tlawng River is the longest in Mizoram and plays a vital role in the state’s ecology.
18. Nagaland – The Doyang (40 km):
- The Doyang River, flowing through Nagaland, is known for its scenic beauty and provides water for various purposes.
19. Odisha – The Mahanadi (858 km):
- The Mahanadi River is the longest in Odisha, supporting agriculture and ecosystems in the state.
20. Punjab – The Sutlej (1,450 km):
- The Sutlej River enters Punjab from Himachal Pradesh and is crucial for irrigation.
21. Rajasthan – The Chambal (960 km):
- The Chambal River flows through Rajasthan, and its clean waters support the state’s wildlife.
22. Sikkim – The Teesta (315 km):
- The Teesta River, originating in Sikkim, is vital for the state’s agriculture and tourism.
23. Tamil Nadu – The Kaveri (800 km):
- The Kaveri River, originating in Karnataka, is the longest river in Tamil Nadu and is crucial for agriculture.
24. Telangana – The Godavari (1,465 km):
- The Godavari flows through Telangana, sustaining agriculture and industries in the state.
25. Tripura – The Howrah (64 km):
- The Howrah River is the longest in Tripura, and its waters are used for irrigation.
26. Uttar Pradesh – The Yamuna (1,376 km):
- The Yamuna flows through Uttar Pradesh, supporting agriculture and being a part of the state’s history and culture.
27. Uttarakhand – The Ganges (2,525 km):
- The Ganges, originating in Gangotri Glacier, begins its journey in Uttarakhand, making it the longest river in the state.
28. West Bengal – The Hooghly (260 km):
- The Hooghly River, also known as the Bhagirathi-Hooghly, is a distributary of the Ganges and flows through West Bengal, serving as a vital transportation route.
From the icy heights of the Himalayas to the vast plains and coastal regions, these rivers weave a tapestry of life across India, influencing the livelihoods and cultures of its people. They stand as testaments to the country’s natural beauty and resilience, nurturing both land and spirit as they flow through the diverse landscapes of this incredible nation.
