Longest River in India, Check Top 10 Longest Rivers

Longest River in India: The Ganges, also known as the Ganga, is the longest river in India. Flowing through the northern part of the country, it originates in the Gangotri Glacier in the state of Uttarakhand. The river traverses through several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, before finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Revered as a sacred river in Hinduism, the Ganges holds great religious and cultural significance and is considered a lifeline for millions of people in India.

Top 10 Longest Rivers in India

Longest River in India: Candidates can check the top 10 longest Rivers of India in the table mentioned below.

What are the Longest Rivers in India?

The Longest Rivers in India are mentioned below:

1. The Ganges River: known as the Ganga in India, is revered as the holiest river in Hindu beliefs and holds the title of being the longest river on the Indian subcontinent, stretching 2,525 kilometers. Originating from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand, it begins at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in Devprayag. Unfortunately, the Ganges faces contamination issues, affecting not only humans but also over 140 fish species, 90 amphibious species, reptiles like the gharial, and mammals like the Ganges river dolphin, both of which are critically endangered. The Ganges is not only the longest river in India but also the largest, followed by the Godavari River (1,465 km). It flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal before finally reaching Bangladesh and converging into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges has several primary tributaries, including the Yamuna, Son, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Koshi.
2. The Godavari River: spanning 1,464 kilometers, is the second-longest river in India when considering its total length within the country. Also known as the Dakshin Ganga or South Ganges, it originates from Triambakeshwar in Maharashtra and passes through Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before eventually merging with the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari holds sacred significance in Hinduism and has been a site of pilgrimage for many centuries. Notable cities located along its banks include Nashik, Nanded, and Rajahmundry.
3. The Krishna River: with a length of 1,400 kilometers, is the third-longest river in India. It ranks fourth in terms of water inflows and river basin area, following the Ganges, Godavari, and Brahmaputra rivers. The Krishna River serves as a vital source of irrigation for the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Originating from Mahabaleshwar, it flows through these states before finally reaching the Bay of Bengal. Major tributaries of the Krishna include the Bhima, Panchganga, Dudhaganga, Ghataprabha, and Tungabhadra. Prominent cities situated along its banks are Sangli and Vijayawada.
4. The Yamuna River: stretching 1,376 kilometers, is the longest tributary of the Ganges River. It originates from the Yamunotri glacier at the Banderpoonch peak in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Unlike the Ganges, the Yamuna does not directly flow into the sea. It is joined by numerous tributaries, including the Hindon, Sharda, Giri, Rishiganga, Hanuman Ganga, Sasur, Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Sindh, and Tons rivers. The Yamuna flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
5. The Narmada River: also known as the Rewa or Nerbudda, spans 1,312 kilometers and originates from Amarkantak. It is often referred to as the “Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat” due to its significant contributions to these states. Unlike other rivers in India that flow eastward, the Narmada flows westward. Considered one of the holiest water bodies, it holds a special place in Hinduism as one of the seven heavenly rivers of India, along with the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Sandhu, and Kaveri.
6. The Indus River spanning a total length of 3,180 kilometers, holds great historical significance as it is closely tied to the name of our country. It originates from Mansarovar Lake and traverses through Ladakh, Gilgit, and Baltistan before entering Pakistan. The Indus River is renowned for being home to one of the oldest and most prosperous civilizations in history, the Indus Valley Civilization. Its primary tributaries include Jansker, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas. Notable cities situated along the banks of the Indus include Leh and Skardu. It’s important to note that while the Indus River’s total length is 3,180 kilometers, its distance covered within India is 1,114 kilometers.
7. Brahmaputra River: Originating from the Mansarovar ranges, the Brahmaputra River stretches across 2,900 kilometers. It begins its journey from the Angsi Glacier near Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, China. In India, the Brahmaputra is the only river that is considered male in gender. It is referred to as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in China and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. During the monsoon season (June–October), the river is prone to frequent floods. The Brahmaputra flows through Assam and eventually enters Bangladesh. The river is home to the Kaziranga National Park. Within India, the Brahmaputra’s length is 916 kilometers. Majuli or Majoli, located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, became India’s first island district in 2016. It had an area of 880 square kilometers at the beginning of the 20th century.
8. The Mahanadi River: with a length of 890 kilometers, originates in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. Historically, the Mahanadi was notorious for its devastating floods, earning it the title “the distress of Odisha.” However, the construction of the Hirakud Dam has significantly mitigated the situation. Today, a system of canals, embankments, and check dams effectively controls the river’s flow. The major tributaries of the Mahanadi include the Seonath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo, Ong, Parry River, Jonk, and Telen.
9. The Kaveri River: also known as the Kaveri, holds immense religious significance in southern India. Rising from Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, the river flows southeast through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, eventually descending the Eastern Ghats. It forms a vast delta known as the “garden of southern India” before emptying into the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri River is revered for its natural beauty and sacredness, as depicted in Tamil literature. Its entire course is considered holy ground, and the river is vital for irrigation canal projects.
10. The Tapti River: spanning 724 kilometers, is one of the three rivers that originate in Peninsular India and flow from east to west. It originates in the Betul district of the Satpura Range and drains into the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea. The Tapti River passes through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, and it is joined by six tributaries, including the Purna River, Girna River, Gomai, Panzara, Pedhi, and Arna.

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