Which is the Largest River in Gujarat?

India is a land that is built around rivers and long before any kind of roads, infrastructure or cities existed, people settled near rivers and stayed for a long time. Rivers provide water for drinking, fertile land for farming, and also offer routes for trade and travel. 

In today’s world as well, rivers decide where the crops grow, and how millions of people live their daily life.
In Gujarat, one river is quite significant not because of only historical reasons but being the largest river in the state. Let’s find out. 

Which is the Largest River in Gujarat? 

The Narmada River is the largest river in Gujarat and it is also the longest. It is the fifth largest river in India and the total length of the river is 1312 Km (815 miles).

The name Narmada comes from the Sanskrit language which means “the giver of pleasure”. Around 159 kilometers flows from Gujarat before it empties into the Arabian Sea. This river is a lifeline for both Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. 

Where Does the Narmada River Flow Through?

The Narmada River originates from the flat plains of Amarkantak in the Maikal Hills, Madhya Pradesh. Unlike other rivers that rush down with high speed and volume, the Narmada River is quite calm. 

The river starts from a small pond known as Narmada Kund and then flows westward between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges for about 1,312 kilometres, then passes through forests of Madhya Pradesh. After that, the river crosses a small part of Maharashtra and then finally travels through Gujarat before it merges with the Arabian sea in the Gulf of Khambhat. 

What is the Importance of Narmada River?

The Narmada River is not just the largest river in Gujarat, but also an important resource of energy for the state. 

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on Narmada River in Gujarat. This dam was the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the foundation stone was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1961. 

The water from Narmada River irrigates 1.792 million hectares of land with the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Further this dam generates 1,579 megawatts of hydroelectric power, providing electricity to Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Moreover, the Narmada Canal extends from the Sardar Sarovar Dam into Gujarat and Rajasthan, and helps in irrigating drought-prone and desert areas as well as provides drinking water to several districts in both states. 

Interesting Facts About Narmada River

• The Narmada River is also called the “Ganga of Madhya Pradesh” 

• The Statue of Unity which is the tallest statue in the world, stands on the banks of Narmada river in Gujarat. 

• Majority of big rivers in India flow from West to East and empty into the Bay of Bengal. However, the Narmada River does the opposite and flows from East to West. 

• The different names of Narmada river are Rewa, Amarja, Mekalkanya, Rudrakanya.