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Five Incredible Rivers In Himachal Pradesh

Five big rivers, Ravi, Chenab, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna have their catchments in Himachal Pradesh. These rivers rise in the Himalayas and have perennial source of water being fed by snow during summer. Except Yamuna, other rivers meet the Indus. falling in the Arbanian Sea. The details of the rivers constituting the frame work of the river system in the state are discussed in the following article.

The Ravi Perhaps in Rigveda the name mentioned as Parusni is the same river. Alexander’s historians called it the Hydraotes. The river in the upper parts is called Rauti or Iravati and in the central portion, it is called Ravi. Origin and

Tributaries of the River It originates at Baro Banso Range in the mid-Himalayas popularly knows as Bara Bangahal branch of the Dhauladhar in Kangra district. Flowing westwards, it touches Jammu territory at the point where the Siowa stream forms the boundary and then falls into it from the north. It then turns to the south-west and skirting the terminal skirts of the Dhauladhar, separates Chamba from Jammu and finally leaves the district at Keri to the plains at Shahpur. By the time it reaches the territory of Chamba district, it has already attained a size of river. The length of the river through the district is estimated to be about 75 miles out of the estimated total length of 450 miles. Ravi River is the main river of Chamba district.

The tributaries on the right bank are larger and more important. The Chief among are Budhil and Tundah. Budhil takes its rise on the slopes of the mid-Himalayas near the Kugti Pass and at Harsar. It receives on its left bank, a small stream from the sacred lake of Mani Mahesh. The confluence of the Ravi and the Budhil is at Kharamukh. Budhil is about 40 miles in length. Tundah rises at Kalihho Pass, in the mid-Himalayas and flowing through the Tundah valley, which is fairly open. it joins Ravi a little lower than the Budhil. Other small streams which joins Ravi are Beljedi, Churi, and the Saho or Sal from the Saho range, which meets the Ravi at Chamba proper, after a course of about 15 miles.

The Siul, which joins the Ravi at a lower place to Chamba town is the largest tributary of the Ravi. The Siul rises at Padri Pass, which makes the boundary with Jammu. The Siul before, Joining the Ravi receives Alwas, Baira, Tissa, and chanju ‘nullah’, all of which rises in the Pangi range. Siowa is the last tributary of the Ravi on the right bank, which at this point forms the natural boundary between Chamba and Jammu territory.

In its course from Bara Bangahal to Chamba, the Ravi is joined on the left bank by a stream ateach pass in the Dhauladhar. The main stream is Chirchind ‘ nallah’ near Chatrari, which forms the boundary of the Bharmour sub-tehsil with the Chamba tehsil.

The Chenab (Chandra Bhaga) The river rises form the mountains of the Baralacha Pass, the stream with its source on the south-eastern side known as Chandra, and the other one, which rises from the north-western side is called the Bhaga. After the aforesaid confluence of the two sister branches of the head waters at Tandi, it flows immediately to the north of the mid-Himalayas and runs parallel to it. The river is generally known as Chenab. The river enters Chamba district at Thirot, after a long journey through the Lahaul-Spiti district, and runs along the boundary between Lahaul and Chamba. The river leaves Chamba at Ganaur or Sansari ‘nallah’ which marks the boundary between the Chamba district and jammu.

Chandra-Bhaga- After their confluence at Tandi they change their name and course. The total length of the course of the river through Himachal Pradesh in Chamba district is 80 miles. After leaving Himachal Pradesh it enters Jammu-Kashmir in Paddar valley.

Thirot ‘nallah’ joins the Chenab on the right bank at the beginning. Several streams especially Mivar ‘nallah’ originating in Zanskar range joins the Chandra-Bhaga at Udaipur. The next in importance is Saichu ‘nallah’ which meets the Chenab at Saach. Other streams which joins the river are Parmar, Hundan and Sural on the right bank and the Sansari ‘nallah’ which meets it at the boundary.

Some small streams rising from the ice fields in Pangi range rush to merge into Chandra-Bhaga. The streams are Chobia, the Kalichho, Harsar, Dharati, Marhu, Chaini and Saach. The Chobia and Kalichho joins Chandra-Bhaga at Trilokinath; the Dharati, Harsar and Marhu near Tindi or Tandi and the Saach near Killar.

The Yamuna This river rises from the Jamnotri mountain in the Himalayas at the height of 7,924 metres from the mean sea level. After crossing through Garhwal and irrigating the Jaunsar area in Uttarakhand, it enters district Sirmour at village Khodar Majri. After covering a boundary of 22 kilometres it leaves the district at Kaunch and again the river enters Uttarakhand. The Yamuna River separates Kayarda Dun from Dehradun and forms the boundary line between Sirmour district and Uttarakhand.