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The 5 rivers of India are Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, and Krishna.
Which river is known as lifeline of India?
The Ganga River is known as the lifeline of India because it is very important for water, farming, transport, and religion.
How many major rivers are in India?
India has about 8 major rivers. Some of them are Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Mahanadi, and Kaveri.
Which is the longest river in India?
The Ganga River is the longest river in India. It is around 2,525 kilometers long.
5 Rivers of India - Must Know About
5 rivers of India are the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, and Krishna. Learn about the famous rivers in India along with their importance, origin, and other key features.
Shivam Singh17 Jun, 2025
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India is home to many important rivers that play a big role in the lives of its people. Rivers provide fresh water for drinking, support farming, help in producing electricity, and are used for transport. Some rivers are known as the lifeline of India because they are essential for the country’s growth and development.
One question that often gets asked is, "how many major rivers are in India?" India has seven major river systems, and among these, the 5 famous rivers in India, which are the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Narmada, are explained here. So, keep reading to learn why these rivers are so special in India’s geography and culture.
Rivers have always played a big role in shaping India’s geography and supporting the lives of its people. They are not just water bodies but also a source of food, travel, and daily needs. The famous rivers in India hold great importance across the country and have become a valuable part of its history and culture. Let's uncover 5 indian rivers name in English here:
1. Ganga
2. Yamuna
3. Brahmaputra
4. Godavari
5. Krishna
These 5 rivers of India are very important and are part of our country’s rich culture and history. Let us now learn about each of these rivers in detail.
5 Rivers of India
The 5 rivers of India—Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Narmada—are not just water bodies; they are the lifelines that support millions of people, animals, and plants. These rivers are deeply connected to India’s history, culture, and religious beliefs. Each river has its own unique features and holds a special place in the country.
5 Rivers of India: Holy Ganga
The Ganga River is one of the most famous and important rivers in India. It is the most sacred river for Hindus and is worshipped as Goddess Ganga. Many people believe that taking a bath in the Ganga can cleanse their sins.
The Ganga starts from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, from a place called Gomukh. When the ice melts, it forms the Bhagirathi River, which later joins the Alaknanda River to become the Ganga.
The Ganga travels a long way, around 2,525 kilometers, before reaching the sea.
The Ganga River Basin is one of the largest and most fertile river basins in the world. This area has very good soil for farming and is home to many people.
Some big cities located along the Ganga are Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Kolkata, Haridwar, and Patna.
The Ganga also forms the Sundarban Delta in West Bengal, which is the largest river delta in the world.
Some of its important small rivers, called tributaries, are the Yamuna, Gomti, Ghagra, Tamsa, and Koshi.
There are many dams and river projects built on the Ganga. Some of these are the Tehri Project, Ramganga Project, Tanakpur Project, and Kosi Project. These projects help in storing water, making electricity, and controlling floods.
The Ganga is the first and most important among the 5 rivers of India and is often called the lifeline of India because it supports millions of people across the country.
The Godavari River is the largest river in Peninsular India and is also called ‘Dakshin Ganga,’ which means the Ganga of the South. It is one of the most important rivers among the 5 rivers of India.
The Godavari River Basin is the second-largest river basin in the country after the Ganga Basin. It covers about 9.50% of India’s total land area.
The Godavari River starts from the Sahyadri Hills near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
The river travels a long distance of about 1,465 kilometers. It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh and finally meets the Bay of Bengal.
The Godavari forms natural borders between some states like Telangana and Maharashtra and Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Near Dowlaiswaram, the river divides into two parts—Gautami and Vashishtha. Between these two branches lies the Godavari Central Delta, which is very useful for farming.
The Godavari River Basin is surrounded by important mountain ranges like the Western Ghats, Satmala Hills, Ajanta Hills, Mahadev Hills, Eastern Ghats, Balaghat Hills, and Ananthagiri Hills. The river’s total drainage area is about 312,812 square kilometers.
There are many important dams and river projects on the Godavari. Some of them are the Polavaram Irrigation Project, Kaleshwaram Project, Sadarmat Anicut, and Jaikwadi Dam. These projects help in water storage, farming, and electricity generation.
The Godavari River is one of the famous rivers in India and holds a special place in the lives of the people, especially in southern India.
The Brahmaputra River is one of the largest and most important rivers in Asia and is a part of the 5 rivers of India. This river is special because it flows through four countries—China (Tibet), India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The total length of the Brahmaputra River is about 2,900 kilometers.
The Brahmaputra starts from the Kailash Mountain Range in the Himalayas, near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. In India, it flows mostly through the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal.
The Brahmaputra Basin covers about 5.9% of India’s total land area.
The Brahmaputra is known for its powerful water flow and large size. In the state of Assam, the river splits into many small channels and creates several river islands.
The Brahmaputra keeps changing its path from time to time. This makes it difficult to build long-lasting structures along the river. Some important tributaries (smaller rivers that join the Brahmaputra) are the Lohit, Dibang, Subansiri, Dhansiri, and Teesta.
There are many dams and hydroelectric power projects on the Brahmaputra River. Some of these are the Tawang Hydroelectric Project, Subansiri Lower Hydel Power Project, Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project, and Teesta Hydroelectric Project. These projects help in producing electricity and supporting water needs.
The Brahmaputra River is a lifeline for the northeastern part of India and holds a very important place among the famous rivers in India.
The Krishna River is one of the most important rivers in South India and holds a special place among the 5 rivers of India. It is the fourth-longest river in India, with a total length of about 1,400 kilometers.
The Krishna River starts near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. It finally meets the Bay of Bengal near a place called Hamsaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh.
The area covered by the Krishna River is called the Krishna River Basin. This basin is very large and is shared by four states.
The Krishna River Delta is known as one of the most fertile and productive farming areas in India.
Many ancient cities and kingdoms grew along the Krishna River. The city of Wai in Maharashtra is one of the oldest on its banks, and Sangli is the largest city along the Krishna River in Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is the largest city on the river’s banks.
The Krishna River is very useful, but it also causes land erosion during the rainy season, which can damage nearby areas. It has many small rivers that join it.
Some important right-side tributaries are Koyna, Panchganga, Ghataprabha, Dudhganga, Tungabhadra, and Malaprabha. The left-side tributaries include the Bhima, Musi, Yerla, and Maneru Rivers.
The Tungabhadra River, which joins the Krishna, is one of its biggest tributaries. It is formed when the Tunga River and Bhadra River meet in the Western Ghats.
There are many dams built on the Krishna River to store water and produce electricity. Some of the famous dams are the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Srisailam Dam, Prakasam Barrage, Dhom Dam, Almatti Dam, and Jurala Dam.
The Krishna River is a lifeline for the southern states and is an important part of the famous rivers in India.
5 Rivers of India: Narmada
The Narmada River is one of the most important rivers in peninsular India and holds a special place among the 5 rivers of India. It is the largest west-flowing river in this part of the country.
The Narmada River starts from the Maikal mountain range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. From there, it flows west for about 1,310 kilometers and finally reaches the Arabian Sea.
The Narmada River flows through a rift valley, which lies between the Vindhya Hills in the north and the Satpura Hills in the south.
The Narmada river passes through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.
The area covered by the Narmada River and its small rivers is called the Narmada Basin, which is spread over about one lakh square kilometers.
The Narmada River is famous for its beautiful spots. Near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, the river flows through tall marble rocks and falls down to form the Dhuandhar Waterfall, which looks like a cloud of mist. The river also creates other waterfalls like Mandhar Falls, Dardi Falls, and Sahastradhara Falls.
The land near the Narmada River is very fertile and good for farming. The river also has many small islands near its mouth, and Aliabet is the largest among them.
There are some big dams built on the Narmada River to provide water, irrigation, and electricity. The most famous dams are the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Indira Sagar Project, Omkareshwar Dam, Bargi Project, and Maheshwar Project.
The Narmada River is a very important part of Indian rivers and is well known for its natural beauty and its role in supporting farming and hydropower.
The Ganga River, also called the lifeline of India, is one of the most important rivers in the country. It provides water for drinking, farming, and many daily needs to millions of people living in different states. The river also supports farming and industries that help the economy grow.
The Ganga is also very special in India’s culture and religion. Many people worship the river and believe that its water is holy and can clean sins. Along the banks of the Ganga, there are many ancient and famous cities like Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Haridwar.
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