Important River Systems of Maharashtra

Overview

• Rivers in Maharashtra mostly flow parallel from northwest to southeast.
• Major river basins: Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, and West Flowing Rivers.

Godavari River Basin

• Godavari River: Largest river in Peninsular India (Dakshin Ganga/Vridhanga).
  • Origin: Nasik (near Trimbakeshwar, Brahmagiri Hills).
  • Flows through: Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh; ends in Bay of Bengal.
  • Length: 1465 km (668 km in Maharashtra).
  • Basin Altitude: 300-550 meters.
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank:
    • Wayne Ganga (joined by Vardha, known as Praanhita).
    • Vardha (joined by Pain Ganga).
    • Pain Ganga (joined by Aran).
    • Purna (joined by Dudhana).
    • Indravadi (joined by Bandiya).
  • Right Bank:
    • Prabhavara (joined by Mula).
    • Manchera (joined by Terena and Manar).

Krishna River Basin

• Krishna River: Second largest river in Peninsular India.
  • Origin: Jor Village near Mahabaleshwar (Western Ghats).
  • Flows through: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh; ends in Bay of Bengal.
  • Length: 1400 km (282 km in Maharashtra).
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank/ North:
    • Koina, Panchkanga, Ghat Prabha.
    • Bhima (originates near Bhima Shankar Temple).
      • Length: 861 km (451 km in Maharashtra).
      • Joined by:
        • North: Gold, Sina.
        • South: Indraining, Nira.
• Important Areas:
  • Pune District (Nira River flows along the border and joins Bhima in Solab).

Tapi River Basin

• Tapi River: Second largest westward flowing river.
  • Origin: Mahadev Hills of Multai in Betul District, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Length: 725 km (flows 282 km in Madhya Pradesh, 228 km in Maharashtra, 214 km in Gujarat).
  • Ends in Arabian Sea via Gulf of Khambhat.
  • Tributaries:
    • North/Right: Gomay, Arunavati.
    • South/Left: Purna (joined by Pedny Morena), Girena, Panjara.

Westward Flowing Rivers

• Daman Ganga (Dhawan River):
  • Origin: Sayadaris, Ambegan Village, Dhindori Taluka (Nasik District).
  • Flows through: Nasik and Palghari District.
  • Tributaries:
    • Left Bank: Tansa, Pinjal.
    • Right Bank: Deheraji, Surya.
• Ulhaas River:
  • Flows through: Pune, Raigad, Thane.
  • Splits into: Vasai Creek, Thane Creek.
• Raigad District Rivers: Amba, Kundalika, Tala, Savitri (border with Ratnagiri).
• Ratnagiri District Rivers: Bharja, Joke, Vashishthi (joined by Jagbudi), Jaigarh.
• Sindhudurg District Rivers: Forms border with Goa.