LIFELINES OF INDIAS CIVILISATION

In India, a river is a mini-cosmos in concept. Every river is a mother deity who spawns mythology, art,
dance, music, architecture, history and spirituality. Each one has a clear identity, appearance, value, style
and spirit just like a beautiful woman. In every age, diverse human communities have reinvented
themselves on river-banks with fascinating nuances.
Her shimmering gold-and-white garments dazzle like a thousand suns. The jewels in her crown shine like
the crescent moon. Her smiling face lights up the whole world. In her hands, she carries a pot of nectar, a
symbol of immortality. Her lotus-fresh presence brings a sense of purity and joy to all beings.. At first
glance, this reads like an over-the-top flowery description of a beautiful woman coined by some besotted
lover. But to those conversant with the fascinating river-lore of India, this is the mythical portrayal of the
River Ganga, written by Sage Valmiki, author of Indias immortal epic Ramayan. It describes the celestial
Ganga as she descends from the heavens to the earth to bring salvation to mankind. This story, known
asGangavataran, is such a fundamental tenet of Indian culture that it has held countless generations of
Indians in awe for millenniums. The Ganga, arguably the most picturised and written-about river in the
world, has been called the Mother of Indias Spirituality and has been immortalized in sculpture, art,
literature, poetry, music and dance.
Following her descent to the mortal world to sanctify human efforts to attain salvation, the Ganga is
perceived as mokshdayini, the Mother Goddess whose waters bring relief from sin, sorrow and suffering.
To wit, through the millenniums, the rivers banks have been hallowed by a galaxy of saints and seers who
either meditated or built great institutions of spiritual research and teachings on her embankments. Great
poetic works, including Tulsidas Ramcharit Manas, which continues to run in the veins of Indians for
centuries, were written alongside her tranquil flow in Varanasi. Great cities like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Prayag and Varanasi were built on her banks and these have become famous centres of art, music, textile
weaving, literature and every other artistic endeavour apart from spiritual pursuits. Haridwar and Prayag
are the sites of gigantic Kumbh Melas, which celebrate the relentless search of human beings for
immortality through the mythical pot of nectar, a motif that repeats itself constantly in Indian mythology.
From Indias prehistoric ages, the Ganga, with her myriad tributaries, has not only been the harbinger of
rich harvests in Indias plains, but also the precious lifeline of Indias cultural heritage.
However, Ganga is not the only river in India to be given pride of place in the hearts of its millions. For
millenniums, Indians have worshipped seven holy rivers that crisscross the sub-continent, fertilising its
sprawling plains and watering its misty mountains and lush forests. These are the Ganga, the Yamuna, the
invisible Saraswati, the Narmada, the Godavari, the Kaveri and the Sindhu. Since the Sindhu now flows
through Pakistan, the Krishna has been added to the list of the sacred rivers of India. Each of these rivers
has a unique persona and quality attached to it. While the Ganga is shimmering white-and-gold and

represents purity or salvation (Moksh), the Yamuna is blue like Krishna, who was born in Mathura, a holy
city on her banks. Like him, she represents romance (Shringar). The legendary Saraswati, white and
elegant like a swan, is now extinct and is called the river of knowledge (Vidya), being associated with
Brahma, the creator of the universe. The dark and elusive Narmada, rising in the Vindhya-Satpura range
in Central India, meets the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. With few, if any, tributaries, the Narmada is often
referred to as the virgin river associated with the quality of detachment and surrender (Vairagya). The
Godavari, rising in Gangadwar near Nasik in Maharashtra, flows eastwards to the Bay of Bengal. She is
the saffron river of devotion (Bhakti), sanctified by the presence of Ram, Sita and Lakshman, who spent
much of their exile years from Ayodhya in the forests along the river. Kaveri, the silvery river of wisdom
(Dnyan or Gyan), flows from the Sahyadri Hills in Karnataka to the Bay of Bengal through Tamil Nadu.
The Krishna, flowing from the Sahyadri Hills in Mahabaleshwar to the Bay of Bengal is green and
represents courage and valour (Shourya).
The quality and appearance associated each of these seven rivers have such a strong influence on the
Indian psyche, that history, architecture, art, music and dance and even social movements show their
impact. Each river represents a specific colour and image and Indian scriptures weave innumerable
legends around them.
The Yamuna is deeply entrenched in the wonderful saga of the birth and childhood of Krishna. Krishna
was born in Mathura, a holy city on the banks of the Yamuna and taken across the raging river on a rainstormy night to Gokul, to be raised by his foster parents Nand and Yashoda. Here, in the pastoral
ambience of fragrant gardens and bowers, he grew up as the divine child among cowherds and milkmaids.
He romanced with the milkmaids in his Raas Leela on moonlit nights on the banks of the Yamuna and
gamboled in her dark waters every day of his life. Yamuna, having touched the blue-toned Krishna, herself
became blue in colour in all her portrayals. So also, Krishna being the epitome of romance and love,
Yamuna became the river of romance. She was named as his consort in Madhurabhakti a religious cult
concurrent with Sufism. Both philosophies decree that a devotee has only to raise the veil of ignorance to
face divinity. The veiled Yamuna, clad in blue and purple robes and carrying lotuses in her hands, became
the Maharani of Krishna, the beloved devotee of his wondrous miracles in Gokul. Through the ages, the
portrayals of Yamuna, including a huge number of miniature paintings, showed a distinct Sufi influence.
As the Maharani of Krishna, she became the eternal bride. Even today, thousands of years later, pilgrims
and devotees who trek to Yamunotri the origin of the river in the Himalayas offer her bridal fineries
with chunris, bangles, tikas and other ornaments.
As she descends into the plains in Himachal Pradesh, Paonta Sahib, the Gurudwara built by Guru Gobind
Singh, stands majestically on her banks. Here, legend says, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, lost his paonta or
anklet in the river while bathing. Nearby, the Tons River, joining the Yamuna, creates the romantic
spectacle of Sahasradhara, where a thousand streams dance down the rocky landscape to create a visual

wonder. Further down her flow, the awesome Taj Mahal, the worlds most resplendent monument, stands
on the banks of the Yamuna as a testimony to her romantic personality. The Yamuna merges into the
Ganga in Prayag.
The Saraswati, confluencing with the Ganga and Yamuna in Prayag, has been extinct for ages, though she
continues to live in the hearts of Indians. Ever since India attained Independence, teams of archeological
researchers have made relentless efforts to excavate several regions of India to find its now-barren bed.
Various experts have wagered the guess that she flowed westward from the Himalayas and emptied into
the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. Yet, those who wish to seek knowledge and find her origin continue the search
for the elusive river. Today, only a roaring torrent named Saraswati can be seen in Mana village near
Badrinath in the Himalayas, where she meets the Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag.
The Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati represent the trinity of divinities in Indian culture. Saraswati is
Brahma, the creator; Yamuna is Vishnu, the sustainer and Ganga is Shiva, the destroyer. But most
important, this divine trinity is seen as one in the confluence of the three rivers at Prayag.
The Narmada has been named the most beautiful river of India by Western travellers like Bill Aitken in
his book The Seven Sacred Rivers. Deep, dark and mysterious, the Narmada flows from Amarkantak in
the central mountain ranges of India to the Arabian Sea. The forests on her banks are dotted with quaint
temple-heritage cities and tribal villages. The river, symbolizing detachment (Vairagya) and surrender,
attracts devotees who do the Parikrama of circumambulation of its flow from its origin to its emptying in
the sea and back a distance of 917 kilometres. Pilgrims need more than a year to complete this journey
on foot. Describing the dense riverside landscape, they record that on silent nights, as they lie down in the
forest groves, they often hear miraculous strains of flutes resonating in the stillness. This music is caused
by the wind rushing through holes made by birds in the clumps of bamboos which line the river in some
areas. On the banks of the Narmada are heritage cities like Mandu, where the tragic love story of the
Hindu dancing girl-turned-queen Rani Roopmati and her Muslim poet-emperor husband Baz Bahadur
unfolded. Legend says that Roopmati gave up her life by drinking poison rather than be abducted by the
kings lustful enemies. On Narmadas banks too, stands Maheshwar, the beautiful city built by Rani
Ahilayabai, the celebrated Maharani of Indore, who repaired thousands of temples across India, giving up
her royal wealth.
The Godavari, rising in Gangadwar near Nashik, represents devotion and its traditional colour: saffron.
On her banks are several legendary monuments dedicated to Ram, Sita and Lakshman in addition to the
Jyotirlinga temple of Trimbakeshwar. Nasik is also the site of the Kumbha Mela, which has been named
the biggest bathing festival on earth! The Godavari brings fertility to the plains of peninsular India and is
worshipped as the symbol of single-minded devotion to divinity.

The silvery Kaveri flows through the scenic forested slopes of the Sahyadri and Nilgiri ranges. The river of
wisdom, she is referred to as the Dakshina Ganga or the Ganga of the South. Sanctified by presence of
Adi Shankaracharya, the greatest philosopher-seer of India, the Kaveri is the blessing of South India as
she originates in Talaikaveri and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to empty into the Bay of
Bengal. Through the past ages, the banks of the Kaveri have attracted great poets, writers, saints and
philosophers who have sought to interpret the many-splendoured culture and spiritual wisdom of India.
Finally, the River Krishna, symbolizing valour, rises in the boulder-strewn, verdant hills of
Mahabaleshwar, and flows through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, bringing plentitude to her basin,
before meeting the Bay of Bengal in the east. Krishna, through the eyes of her undulating green waters,
has witnessed many epoch-making chapters of Indias history. The earliest historical reference to this
river is as Kannavenna, the southern boundary of the Mauryan Samrat Ashokas vast empire in 236 B.C.
With a strategy of peace, non-violence and unparalled valour, Ashoka ruled his great empire to become
one of the worlds tallest grand monarchs. The Vijayanagar Empire flourished on her banks in the 13th
century and unfolded a golden era of Indias history. From the 17th century, the Marathas, led by
Chhatrapati Shivaji, fought many a battle to free India from the clutches of the Moghuls. The Peshwas of
Maharashtra built grand monuments and temples on her banks, which even today attract a procession of
Bollywood producers to exploit the locations!
Rivers have been the lifelines of Indias ancient, pulsating, throbbing civilization. They have brought
prosperity, culture, style, colour, values, wisdom, devotion, knowledge, romance, wonder and above all, a
priceless spiritual heritage to the people of India for thousands of years!

King kavera performed tapasya because he wished to help people. Pleased with him,
Shiva appeared and blessed him with a daughter who would fulfil his wish. He named
her Kaveri and married her to Sage Agastya. A demon, named Shoorapadma, wanted
to trouble people so he prevented rain from reaching the earth. Kaveri prayed to the
gods to help the people. One day, Sage Agastya went to a lake for a bath. Since he
could not leave Kaveri alone in the ashram, he turned her into water and put her in
his kamandala, the utensil for carrying holy water. As he entered the lake, he left the
kamandala on the bank. Meanwhile, Ganesha took the form of a crow and
overturned the kamadala. The water was released and Kaveri became a river. She
helped the suffering people by providing them with water.
Bagmati River

It is also called Bagvati in Vishnu Purana. The Svayambu and the Vardha Purana call
it the Vagmati. It is called Bachamati in Buddhist literature, because it was created by
the word uttered by Buddha Krakuchhanda when the latter visited Nepal with his
disciples from the Gaud-desa. Vdana mentions a river Vaggumuda which flowed to
the east of the Vajji territory. This Vaggamuda seems to be the Vagamati of the
present time. Baghavati, the name given to this river by Vidyapati seems to have
some connection with the word Vyaghra (tiger). Tigers are found in abundance on its
banks in the Nepalease Terai.

Bhima River
The Bhima River is also called Punya Damini Bhima. In South India, people give
regards to the Bhima River the same way as they do to Ganga. The Bhima River
originates from the Sahyadri hills. According to the legends, when Lord Shankar
came near Bhima Shankar mountain after killing the demon Tripursur, he found that
the Ayodhyas saintly king Bhimak was under penance at that place. King Bhimak
begged for the blessings of Lord Shankar so that a pious river might originate from
the sweat of Lord Shankar. Lord Shankar gave the desired blessings and accordingly,
a river originated from his sweat. On the name of king Bhimak, this river was called
as Bhima River. The river joins Krishna at Kurugadi in district Raipur, which is 25
km away from Gulbarg. A jyotirling (glorified symbol of Lord Shiva) namely, Bhima
Shankar, and a religious place, namely Pandarpur, are located on the banks of this
river.

Brahmaputra River
Brahmaputra River originates from the Mansarovar near Kailash range and is also
known as Mahanad. Worth noting is the fact that the Brahmaputra River has a male
name whereas all other majors rivers of India have female names. According to
legends, Brahmaputra is the son of Lord Brahma. It is said that Shantanu, a famous
ancient sage began a long meditation in an ashram in this area along with his
beautiful wife Amodha. Amodha was so beautiful that Lord Brahma himself became
enchanted by the beauty of Amodha and requested her to make love with him. But
Amodha did not accept the Brahmas proposal. However, by that time Lord Brahma
had become so excited that his semen discharged at that place. When Shantanu came
to know about this, he inseminated the Brahmas semen in the womb of Amodha.
Subsequently, Amodha gave birth to a son and he was called Brahmaputra. The tank
near the ashram of sage Shantanu is known as the Brahmkund. Another legend is
that because Brahmaputra is the largest river in India, it carries a male name.

Chambal River

The ancient name of Chambal River was Charmanvati, meaning the river on whose
banks leather is dried. In the ancient times, large scale Yagya (prayer meetings in
which also involve offerings to please God) used to be organized on the banks of this
river and in these Yagyas animals were slaughtered and offered. According to
Mahabharata, the color of river water would become red due to the flow of blood of
the sacrificed animals and the skins of these animals were dried on the banks of the
rivers. In due course of time, this river became famous as the river of chamda (skin)
and was named as Charmanvati.

Chandan River
It was also known by the name of Malini and Chandana. It is known as Chamba
in the Buddhist literature. According to the Kshetra Samasa, this river is called
Sulakshini or Chandravati. According to the Jinavitasa, this river is named
Aranyavaha or the torrent through the wilderness.

Gandak River
In
the
Muzaffarpur
District
of Bihar,
this
river
is
known
as
the Narayani and Saligramini. Ramayana mentions this river under the name
of Kalimahi. The river is said to have been formed from the sweat of the cheeks
of Vishnu when he performed austerities near its source. Artemidoras speaks of a
certain affluent of the Ganga as breeding crocodiles and dolphins. He named
it Oidenes. At the present time, Gandak is the only tributary of Ganga which breeds
crocodiles. The Puranic tale of Gajehrajeha (fight between the elephant and
crocodiles) is said to have taken place at its junction with the Ganga. Therefore,
Oidenes of Artemedoros is no other than the Gandak.

Ganga River
The Ganga River has been considered as the most sacred river of India in Puranas.
The word Ganga is considered as a synonym of pure and holy water. That is why the
word is attached with the names of many other rivers in Central and South India.
According to a mythological legend, Lord Brahma collected the sweat of Lord
Vishnus feet and created Ganga. Being touched by two members of the Trimurti
(Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh), Ganga became very holy. The other synonyms of
Ganga are Vishnu Padee (as the river is said to have originated from the feet of Lord
Vishnu), Mandakini, Devnadi, Sursari, Tripathga, Jahanvi, Bhagirathi, etc. As
mentioned in Mahabharat, when Bhishm was about to die, Arjuna was said to have
extracted groundwater, namely, Patalganga, by shooting an arrow which made a hole
in the ground and created a fountain.
The description of Ganga is available in Rigveda also. Several legends are famous
about the origin of Ganga. It is said that the Ganga has originated from foots of Lord

Vishnu. According to the second legend, Ganga was the daughter of mountain
king Himalaya. As per Devi Bhagwat, Ganga has been called the wife of Lord Vishnu.
According to Mahabharat, Ganga was the wife of King Shantanu as well as the
mother ofBhishm.
According to a legend in the Ramayana, Sagara, the king of Ayodhya who had sixty
thousand sons, once performed Ashvamegh yagya (a ritual for the good of his
kingdom and to demonstrate his supremacy). During the rituals, the horse which is
an integral parts of the ritual, was stolen by the jealous Indra and placed in the
ashram (hermitage) of saint Kapila. Sagara sent all his sons all over the earth to
search for the horse. They found it in the nether world, in the ashram of saint Kapila.
Assuming that the sage had stolen the horse, they hurled insults at him and
interrupted his meditation. The saint became very angry and burnt all sixty thousand
boys to death by the fire from his eyes. Since the final rites of these boys could not be
performed, their souls continued to wander as ghosts. After many generations,
Bhagiratha a descendant of Sagara, learnt about the fate of his ancestors and he
vowed to bring Ganga to Earth so that her holy water could be used to liberate the
souls of his ancestors and release them to heaven.
King Bhagirath left his kingdom to meditate and prey the Ganga River who was
residing in the heavens to descends to the earth. Ganga could come down to the earth
only after Lord Brahma (the Supreme God) permitted her to do so. Accordingly,
Bhagirath prayed at a place in Uttarkashi where the Gangotri temple is situated these
days. He prayed to Lord Brahma for a thousand years, requesting him to permit
Goddess Ganga to come down to earth from heaven because only Ganga could
release his ancestors souls and allow them to go to heaven. On account of deep
devotion of Bhagirath, ultimately Lord Brahma was pleased with him and granted
his wish. But He told Bhagirath to pray to Lord Shiva, who alone could sustain the
huge force of descent of Ganga. Accordingly, King Bhagirath prayed to Lord Shiva
who, after some time, agreed to hold Ganga in his hair.
Accordingly, Ganga descended from heavens on Lord Shivas head and was soon
trapped in his thick locks. In the process, the river water got further purified. One the
request of King Bhagirath, Lord Shiva opened one of the locks and the river reached
the Earth. It is said that Ganga followed the chariot of Bhagirath to the place where
the ashes of his ancestors were lying and released them from the curse. Alert reader
will notice that this legend is a simple description of the hydrologic cycle. Perhaps
King Bhagirath was an ancient civil engineer or a hydrologist!
Since Bhagirath brought Ganga to Earth, one headwater stream of Ganga is known as
Bhagirathi. Further, the Hindi term Bhagirath prayas describes valiant efforts or
difficult achievements of a person.
Ganga is also known by another name: Jahnavi. According to a different
mythological story, when Ganga came down to earth long time ago, her fast moving

waters created turbulence and destroyed crops in the fields. She also disturbed the
meditation of a saint named Jahnu. Now, Jahnu was so much angry that he drank up
all the water Ganga. This made the Devtas (semi-Gods) very sad and they prayed to
Jahnu to release Ganga so that she could proceed on her mission. After their
persistent prayers, Jahnu was pleased and he released Ganga water through his ears.
On account of this, Ganga came to known by the name Jahnavi (daughter of Jahnu)
also.
Kumbh Mela which is the largest religious gathering on Earth (attended by more
than 80 lakh devotees) takes place after every 12 years at two places on the banks of
Ganga River

Ghaghara River
The name Ghaghara seems to have originated from the Sanskrit word Ghaghara a
gurgling sound of water. Flow of this river used to produce this kind of sound.
Godavari River
Godavari is the largest river in Peninsular India and third largest in India. Godavari
is held in reverence as Vridha Ganga or Dakshin Ganga. Holy places are located
on the banks of the river at Nasik and Bhadrachalam.

Hooghly River
Shahjahan (the mughal king of Delhi) permitted the Portuguese to do trading in
Bengal and they built a church in Bengal in 1590. The grass that grew around the
Church was Hugla, and hence the name given to nearby river became Ogolin. With
the passage of time, it became Oglee and eventually Hooghly.

Indus River
In Rig Veda, the deitified Sindhu is praised in many verses. Although some
historians believe that the word Sindhu means a sea, the widely held view
is that it refers to the Indus River. Therefore, Sindhu may be taken to mean
the Indus River which is described as donor of gifts and owner of fertile
fields. Our country came to be called Hindustan or India; these words are
derived from the name Indus or Sindhu. The Sindhprovince of Pakistan
derives its name from this river. Its name also figures in the national
anthem of India. In the valley of this river rose the Indus Valley
Civilization, which is the most ancient and highly developed civilization of
this planet. A unique feature of this civilization is that it still survives
despite
numerous
setbacks.
Many
web-sites

(e.g., www.harappa.com, www.archaeolink.com) and books contain detailed

information about the Indus Valley Civilization.
Kaveri River
The Kaveri is known to devout Hindus as Dakshina Ganga, or
the Ganges of the south, and the whole of its course is holy ground.
According to the legend a girl named Vishnumaya or Lopamudra, the
daughter ofBrahma was born on earth. Her divine father permitted her to
be regarded as the child of Kavera-muni, a mortal. In order to obtain
beatitude for her adoptive father, she resolved to become a river whose
waters should purify all sin. Hence it is said that even the holy Ganges
resorts underground once in the year to the source of the Cauvery, to purge
herself from the pollution contracted from the crowd of sinners who have
bathed in her waters.
Kosi River
The Kosi River is a notorious river in the Ganga basin for changing its course. The
river can be compared with the rivers of China which suddenly wash away large
tracts of land. Cunningham identified this river with the Tista. According to
Ramayana the river was named after Kausiki who was the sister of the sage
Vishvamitra. Like her brother, she was a lady of short temper.
Krishna River
Krishna is a mighty east flowing river of peninsular India. It is the same river as
Krsnavena in the Puranas or Krsnaveni in the Yoginitantra. It is also known as
Kanhapenna in Jatakas and Kanhapena in the Hathigumpha inscription of
Kharavela. The word Krishna also indicates dark color.
Lohit River
In the Assamese language, Lohit River is known as Luit. The word Luit comes from a
Sanskrit word Lohitya meaning red river. When the red soil of this region would get
eroded by the rain water and flow in the river, the river water would turn red and
this gave the river its name. According to a legend, Ram who was the grandson of
Maharshi Bhrangu and the son of Rishi Jagdagni, was a bright and obedient child.
Once Renuka, the wife of Rishi Jagdagni, came to the banks of the river to fetch
water. There she saw Chitrataka, a gandharva (semigod) playing with his wives.
Seeing this, Renukas mind also got enamoured. When Rishi Jagdagni came to know
about it, he was very angry and he ordered his son to kill his mother. The obedient

son chopped his mothers head by a parshu (sharp axe) but the parshu got stuck to
his hands. He tried many things, including long pilgrimages, but the parshu could
not be removed. It finally came off when he took a bath in the Lohit River. In this
process, Ram came to be known as Parshuram and the river which became red due to
the blood of his mother was known as the Lohit River.
Mahanadi River
The literal meaning of Mahanadi River is large size river. The originating place of
Mahanadi River, which is called as holy Ganga in Chhatisgarh and Orrisa is located
near the Ashram of Maharshi Shrangi. It is said that once all the sages of this area
came at this place for taking holy bath in Mahakumbh. The Maharshi was under
meditation and penance at that time. The sages waited for several days to draw the
attention of the Maharshi but the Maharshis meditation was not disrupted.
Thereafter, the sages went for the holy bath. While returning after the bath, all the
sages brought some holy water with them. Finding that Maharshi Shrangi was still in
the meditation, they filled the Maharshis kamandal (vessel) with water, and
returned to their native places. After some time, when the meditation of the
Maharshi Shrangi was disrupted, the water of the kamandal fell down on the ground
with the stroke of his hand. This water began to flow towards east and was converted
into a stream. This stream was called as Mahanadi which is said to fulfill the desires
of millions of people.
Mahi River
In Vayu Purana, this river is also known as Mahati. The name of the river seems to be
derived from the lake from which it springs. This is often called the Mau or Mahu as
well as the Menda. According to one legend, the Mahi is the daughter of the Earth
and sweat of Indrdyumna, the King of Ujjain.
Narmada River
Narmada is also known as Narbada (Nerbudda). It is also called Reva. The name
Reva has been mentioned in Puranas which has probably been derived from the
Sanskrit root rev to hop owing to the leaping of the stream down its rocky bed.
The Narmada River is also known by a few other names such as: Daksinaganga
mentioned in Skanda Purana, Indija, Purvaganga, Mekaladrija, Mekalasutra or
Mekalakanyaka (Amarakosa) and Somabhava. There are many legends regarding the
origin of the Narmada. According to the one recorded by Beglar, Narmada was the
name of the beautiful daughter of a shepherd living at the Amarkantaka. She used to
carry her fathers breakfast to him in the fields where he tended his cattle. On her
way to and back from her father, the girl used to spend some time daily in a Yogins
(a person who practices Yoga) company whose ashram was by the road side. After

sometime, the girl killed herself for some unexplained reasons. One day the Yogin,
while in act of drinking bhang (a kind of drink), heard about the death of the poor
girl. The cup of bhang stuck to his mouth and he died. A stream of water issued from
his throat which is the Narmada River.
Another version is that the girl, finding herself pregnant with a child, committed
suicide by throwing herself over the falls of Kapiladhara, and the river in which she
died was named after her. According to another legend, the Narmada River sprang
from the body of Lord Shiva.
Pennar River
The Pennar or the Uttara Pinakini is one of the major rivers of Indian peninsula
flowing east and draining into Bay of Bengal. It is locally known as Penneru; it is
also called Henne which means Penna in Telugu language. The name Pinakini is
associated with Pinaka the bow of Siva or Nandeeswara, the presiding deity of
Nandi hills, the place of origin of the river.
Pun-Pun River
This river is mentioned in the Vayu and the Padma Puranas in connection with Gaya
Mahatmya as the Punah-punah (again and again) of which Pun-Pun is the colloquial
form. The river might have been called by this name because it was frequently in
spate. The Puranas interpret the word Punahpuna in a spiritual sense, i.e., sins are
removed again and again by offering oblations to the Pitras (forefathers) in the river.
Sarayu River
According to the Buddhist literature, the Sarayu or Sarju River is spelt as Sarabh.
Cunningham, in one of his maps, identified the Sarju with the Solomattis River
mentioned by Megasthenes. Ptolemy names a river Sarobes which is identified by all
scholars with the Sarayu.
Sipra River
The Sipra River is also called Ksipra (Markandeya). It flows in the State of Madhya
Pradesh. The river is famous for the sanctity associated with it. According to the
legend, the river has originated from the blood ofLord Vishnu. In the time of Mughal
King Akbar (15th century), it was believed that the river used to flow with milk.
Probably this means that the region where it flowed was very prosperous.
Sindh River
In Vishnu Purana, the Dasarna River in Sindh has been identified as Sindhu River.
The
Sindh
River
is
generally
believed
to
be
identical
with
the Kali Sindh River. Mahabharat refers to it as Daksinasindh. TheMeghdoot refers
to Kalisindh as Sindh. In Varaha Purana the Kalisindh River has been called
as Sindhupurana.

Sone River
It has another name in Amarkosha where it is called Hiranyavaha because either its
sand was of golden colour or because the river carried gold dust in its flow. In Hindi,
gold is called Swarna or Sona which changes to Sone with the passage of time.
Subarnarekha River
Subarnarekha was earlier known as Hiranyarekha. Both these words mean a golden
streak. The name shows that the river brought gold in its flow and this belief still
persists among the local people.
Tapi River
Also known by the name Tapti, Tapi was a daughter of Sun. Ptolemy named
it Nanagouna. It is believed that Tapi rises from the sacred tank of Multai (Mulatapi,
i.e., the source of Tapi). The Tapi has its name derived from tapa, heat and
according to local Brahmanas, it was created by the Sun to protect himself from his
own warmth.
Teesta River
The literal meaning of the word Teesta is Trishna (desire) which never ends. In the
Pali language, Teesta is called as Tanda. The legend of the Teesta River is mentioned
in Kalika Purana. Among the other rivers of northern India,
Teesta River is also called as the younger daughter of Himalaya. There is a legend
about it in Kalika Purana. It is said that once Lord Shiva became pleased from the
hard penance of the demons and gave them blessings. That particular demon was the
devotee of Lord Shiva but he did not like Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva.
Parvati took this as an insult to her. As a result, a war started between the demon and
Parvati. The demon was injured in the war and he was feeling thirsty. He requested
Lord Shiva to save his life by quenching his thirst. Lord Shiva became pleased and
from his inspiration, a stream of nectar like milky water started flowing from the
Parvatis breast. This stream was called as Teesta River and this river is fulfilling the
desires of the people even today
Tungabgadra River
Tungabhadra is a famous river of South India. It is also called Dhatri (midwife) of
Vedas. While the Vedas were written in saptsindhav or the country of seven rivers,
their bhashya was written on the banks of Tungabhadra.
There is a legend about the origin of Tungabhadra River in Skand Purana. It is
mentioned that once Lord Barah (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who brought the
Earth out of the pool of water after the great deluge) was resting at Barah Parvat.
Suddenly, from his two front teeth, water started dropping. This water was converted

into two streams. The stream originated from the left tooth was called as Tunga and
the stream originated from the right tooth was called as Bhadra.
The Tunga and Bhadra rivers are known as the sisters and they join together at
Kundly and flow as the Tungabhadra River. Tungabhadra finally joins Krishna
River, which is called as mother of these rivers. Its water is considered to be the best
drinkable water in the world.
Yamuna River
The Yamuna River is regarded as sister of Yama, the God of death. Bana in his
epic Kadambari calls the Yamuna River as Kalindi, because its water appears to be
dark. People believe that those who take bath in the waters of this river become free
from the fear of death.