East Flowing Peninsular Rivers: Godavari River System

Basics

• Fact: The Godavari River is the largest river in Peninsular India.
• Other Name: It is known as the Dakshin Ganga or Vridha Ganga.
• Source: It rises from Trimbakeshwar located in the Western Ghats in Nashik, Maharashtra.
• Basin States: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha in addition to smaller parts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Borders: Satmala hills, the Ajanta range, and the Mahadeo hills on the north, the Eastern Ghats on the south and the east, and the Western Ghats on the west.
• Dams: Sri Ram Sagar project, Pichavaram project, Polavaram project.
• Tributaries
  • Left Bank: Dharna, Penganga, Wainganga, Wardha, Pranahita, Pench, Kanhan, Sabari, and Indravati rivers.
  • Right Bank: Pravara, Mula, Manjra, Peddavagu, and Maner rivers.

Major Tributaries

1. Manjra River
   • It originates in the Balaghat range, near Ahilya Nagar (old name – Ahmednagar) in Maharashtra.
   • Manjra River flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
2. Painganga River
   • It originates in the Ajanta ranges of Maharashtra.
   • It then flows along the state border between Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
   • It passes through the Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary.
   • Sahastrakund waterfalls are situated on it.
3. Wardha River
   • It originates in the Satpura range in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
4. Indravati River
   • It originates from the Eastern Ghats in Kalahandi in Odisha.
   • It also forms the boundary between Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
   • Known as the lifeline of the Bastar district.
   • Chitrakoot Falls is located on the Indravati River.