What are the Seven Rivers of India? Check the Complete Details

Sep 4, 2025, 10:08 IST

Rivers in India are not just water bodies but lifelines of culture, history, and livelihood. Dive into the story of the seven sacred rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri – and explore their geography, ecology, and role in people’s lives.

7 Sacred Rivers of India
7 Sacred Rivers of India

When you talk about India, the first thing that often crosses the mind is a visual of a mighty river flowing through the ghats, temples and cities. Rivers have always been the lifeline of India as these rivers offer water to drink. Nourish the fields and connect towns. However, rivers in India are not just natural water bodies but also carry religious significance as well. 

India is a land of many rivers but there are 7 of them that hold a very special place. These rivers are called the Seven Sacred Rivers or Saptanadi. The names of these rivers are: Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri and each of these rivers has its own unique story that is deeply rooted in India's history and culture. 

What are the 7 Sacred Rivers of India?

1. Ganga (Ganges) 

The Ganga river is known to originate from the Gangotri glacier that is located in Uttarakhand and it travels over 2,500 km across the northern plains and meets into the Bay of Bengal. 

  • Geography: Flows through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

  • Economic Role: Provides irrigation for agriculture, drinking water, and inland transport routes. 

  • Religious Significance: It is believed that bathing in the Ganga is believed to purify sins. 

2. Yamuna 

The Yamuna flows from the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand and it covers Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Ganga at Prayagraj. 

  • Geography: Stretches about 1,376 km, cutting through fertile plains.

  • Economic Role: Provides irrigation to regions like western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which are among India’s main agricultural belts.

  • Historical Role: Delhi and Agra, two great centers of Indian history, were built on its banks. 

  • Religious Significance: Yamuna is known as the daughter of the Surya (Sun God). 

3. Sindhu (Indus) 

The Sindhu river is also known as the Indus. This river begins in Tibet and flows through Ladakh into Pakistan. The river eventually drains into the Arabian Sea. The course of the river is about 3,000 km. 

  • Geography: In India, the river flows through Ladakh and various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Historical Role: The Indus Valley Civilization (2600–1900 BCE) which was one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, thrived on the banks of Sindhu river.

  • Religious Significance: The Rigveda describes the Sindhu river as mighty and sacred. 

4. Narmada 

The Narmada river is known to rise from Amarkantak that is located in Madhya Pradesh. This river is quite unique as it flows in the westward direction into the Arabian sea. 

  • Geography: Runs about 1,312 km through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

  • Economic Role: Its basin supports agriculture, and major hydropower projects (like the Sardar Sarovar Dam).

  • Religious Significance: It is believed that by simply meditating near the Narmada river can wash away sins.

5. Godavari

The Godavari river begins at the Trimbakeshwar which is located in in Maharashtra and travels about 1,465 km before it empties into the Bay of Bengal.

  • Geography: This river flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.

  • Economic Role: The Godavari basin is known as one of India’s most fertile regions and it helps in growing rice, sugarcane, and cotton.

  • Religious Significance: Pilgrims gather during the Godavari Pushkaram which is held once in 12 years and the legends connect this river with the Sage Gautama. 

6. Krishna 

The Krishna river is said to originate from the hills of Mahabelshwar that is located in Maharashtra. This river flows across Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and finally merges into the Bay of Bengal. 

  • Geography: The river stretches about 1,400 km. 

  • Economic Role: The Krishna basin is vital for irrigation and it is essential in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. There are various dams such as Nagarjuna Sagar and Almatti that have been built on this river and serves as the backbone for agriculture. 

  • Religious Significance: This river is associated with several legends, the Krishna river is known as a goddess in the southern traditions. 

7. Kaveri (Cauvery) 

The Kaveri river rises in the Brahmagiri Hills of Karnataka and it flows through Tamil Nadu before meeting the Bay of Bengal.

  • Geography: Flows for about 800 km which forms the Kaveri delta known to be one of the most fertile tracts in India.

  • Economic Role: This river is known as the “rice bowl of South India,” as it sustains large-scale paddy cultivation.

  • Religious Significance: Kaveri river is known as Goddess Kaveriamma and this river has been granted with the blessing to serve the mankind. 

The seven sacred rivers of India are more than just watercourses. These rivers serve as a connection that brings India together in various aspects such as geography, economy and history. For India, these rivers will always remain timeless lifelines that continue to flow through the land and shapes its unique identity.


Nikhil Batra
Nikhil Batra

Content Writer

Nikhil comes from a commerce background, but his love for writing led him on a different path. With more than two years of experience as a content writer, he aspires to breathe life into words. He completed his B.Com. from DU and finds joy in traveling and exploring new and hidden places. Do drop your feedback for him at nikhil.batra@jagrannewmedia.com and let him know if you love his work

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