Uttarakhand, known for its stunning natural landscapes, is home to numerous rivers that play a vital role in the region's ecology, culture, and economy. Here is a detailed description of 25 significant rivers in Uttarakhand:
### 1. **Ganga (Ganges)**
- **Source**: Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh)
- **Length**: 2,525 km (total), about 320 km in Uttarakhand
- **Significance**: The holiest river in Hinduism, it supports millions of people with its waters and is central to numerous cultural and religious practices.
### 2. **Yamuna**
- **Source**: Yamunotri Glacier
- **Length**: 1,376 km (total), about 200 km in Uttarakhand
- **Significance**: Another sacred river in Hinduism, originating from the Yamunotri Temple, part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
### 3. **Bhagirathi**
- **Source**: Gangotri Glacier
- **Length**: 205 km
- **Significance**: One of the primary headstreams of the Ganga, flowing through the town of Uttarkashi.
### 4. **Alaknanda**
- **Source**: Satopanth Glacier
- **Length**: 190 km
- **Significance**: Merges with Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga, flows through major pilgrimage sites like Badrinath.
### 5. **Mandakini**
- **Source**: Chorabari Glacier
- **Length**: 81 km
- **Significance**: Flows through Kedarnath, another Char Dham site, and joins Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
### 6. **Pindar**
- **Source**: Pindari Glacier
- **Length**: 105 km
- **Significance**: Joins Alaknanda at Karnaprayag, known for the Pindari Glacier trek.
### 7. **Nandakini**
- **Source**: Nanda Devi Glacier
- **Length**: 92 km
- **Significance**: Joins Alaknanda at Nandaprayag, named after the goddess Nanda Devi.
### 8. **Dhauliganga**
- **Source**: Niti Pass
- **Length**: 94 km
- **Significance**: Joins Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag, flows near the border with Tibet.
### 9. **Saraswati**
- **Source**: Mana Glacier
- **Length**: 8 km
- **Significance**: Mythologically significant, joins Alaknanda near Badrinath.
### 10. **Rishiganga**
- **Source**: Nanda Devi Glacier
- **Length**: 40 km
- **Significance**: Joins Dhauliganga, flows through the Nanda Devi National Park.
### 11. **Kali (Sharda)**
- **Source**: Kalapani Glacier
- **Length**: 350 km (in India)
- **Significance**: Forms the eastern boundary with Nepal, known as Sharda in the plains.
### 12. **Ramganga (West)**
- **Source**: Doodhatoli Range
- **Length**: 155 km (in Uttarakhand)
- **Significance**: Major river of the Kumaon region, flows into the Ganga.
### 13. **Ramganga (East)**
- **Source**: Namik Glacier
- **Length**: 108 km
- **Significance**: Joins the Kali River near Pancheshwar.
### 14. **Saryu (Sarju)**
- **Source**: Sarmul
- **Length**: 146 km
- **Significance**: Joins Kali River, flows through the town of Bageshwar.
### 15. **Tons**
- **Source**: Bandarpunch Glacier
- **Length**: 148 km
- **Significance**: Largest tributary of the Yamuna, flows through Jaunsar-Bawar region.
### 16. **Gori Ganga**
- **Source**: Milam Glacier
- **Length**: 80 km
- **Significance**: Flows through Munsiyari, joins Kali River.
### 17. **Kosi**
- **Source**: Dharpani Dhar
- **Length**: 168 km
- **Significance**: Major river in Kumaon, flows near Almora.
### 18. **Khoh**
- **Source**: Lansdowne
- **Length**: 46 km
- **Significance**: Joins the Ganga, flows through the town of Kotdwar.
### 19. **Song**
- **Source**: Dehradun Hills
- **Length**: 65 km
- **Significance**: Joins the Ganga near Haridwar, important for the city of Dehradun.
### 20. **Nayar (East and West)**
- **Source**: Garhwal Hills
- **Length**: 120 km (combined)
- **Significance**: Both branches join the Ganga, flows through Pauri Garhwal.
### 21. **Henwal**
- **Source**: Tehri Garhwal
- **Length**: 50 km
- **Significance**: Joins the Ganga near Rishikesh.
### 22. **Bal Ganga**
- **Source**: Uttarkashi
- **Length**: 60 km
- **Significance**: Joins Bhagirathi at Tehri, site of Tehri Dam.
### 23. **Gola**
- **Source**: Bhimtal
- **Length**: 64 km
- **Significance**: Flows through Haldwani, joins Ramganga.
### 24. **Ladhya**
- **Source**: Sivalik Hills
- **Length**: 60 km
- **Significance**: Joins the Kali River, important for local irrigation.
### 25. **Goriganga**
- **Source**: Milam Glacier
- **Length**: 112 km
- **Significance**: Flows through Munsiyari, known for the scenic beauty and trekking routes.
These rivers are integral to the environmental and cultural fabric of Uttarakhand, supporting agriculture, hydroelectricity, and tourism, while also being revered in local traditions and religious practices.
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