The rivers in India play an important role in the lives of its people. They provide potable water, cheap transportation, electricity, and the livelihood for many people nationwide. This easily explains why nearly all the major cities of India are located by the banks of rivers. The rivers also have an important role in Hindu Religion and are considered holy by many Hindus in the country.
Seven major rivers along with their numerous tributaries make up the river system of India. The largest basin system pours its waters into the Bay of Bengal; however, some of the rivers whose courses take them through the western part of the country and towards the east of the state of Himachal Pradesh empty into the Arabian Sea. Parts of Ladakh, northern parts of the Aravalli range and the arid parts of the Thar Desert have inland drainage.
All major rivers of India originate from one of the following main watersheds:
Aravalli range
Himalaya and Karakoram ranges
Sahyadri or Western Ghats in western India
Vindhya and Satpura ranges and Chotanagpur plateau in central India
Himalayan glaciers in the Indian subcontinent are broadly divided into three river basins, namely the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. The Indus basin has the largest number of glaciers (3500), whereas the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins contain about 1000 and 660 glaciers, respectively. The Ganges is the largest river system in India. However, these rivers are just three among many. Other examples are Narmada, Tapathi, and Godavari.
The Indo-Gangetic plains
The Indo gangetic plains are known as Ganga-Satluj Ka Maidaan (गँगा सतलुज का मैदान), this area is drained by 16 major rivers. The major Himalayan Rivers are the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. These rivers are long, and are joined by many large and important tributaries. Himalayan rivers have long courses from their source to sea (in India Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal).
Aravalli Range River System
Following rivers flow from the Aravalli range, both northwards to Yamuna as well as southwards to Arabian Sea.
North-to-south flowing rivers, originate from the western slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, pass through the southeastern portion of the Thar Desert, and end into Gujarat. Luni River, originates in the Pushkar valley near Ajmer, ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch. Sakhi river, ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch. Sabarmati River, originates on the western slopes of Aravalli range of the Udaipur District, end into the Gulf of Cambay of Arabian Sea. West to north-west flowing rivers, originate from the western slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, flow through semi-arid historical Shekhawati region, drain into southern Haryana. Several Ochre Coloured Pottery culture sites, also identified as late Harappan phase of Indus Valley civilisation culture, has been found along the banks of these rivers. Sahibi River, originates near Manoharpur in Sikar district flows through Haryana, along with its following tributaries: Dohan river, tributary of Sahibi river, originates near Neem Ka Thana in Alwar district). Sota River, tributary of Sahibi river, merges with Sahibi river at Behror in Alwar district. Krishnavati river, former tributary of Sahibi river, originates near Dariba zinc and lead mines in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, flows through Patan in Dausa district and Mothooka in Alwar district, then disappears in Mahendragarh district in Haryana much before reaching Sahibi river. West to north-east flowing rivers, originating from the eastern slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, flow northwards to Yamuna. Chambal River, a southern-side tributary of Yamuna river. Banas River, a northern-side tributary of Chambal river. Berach River, a southern-side tributary of Banas River, originates in the hills of Udaipur District. Ahar River, a right-side (or eastern side) tributary of the Berach river, originates in the hills of Udaipur District, flows through Udaipur city forming the famous Lake Pichola. Wagli Wagon River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River. Gambhiri River, a right-side tributary of the Berach river. Orai River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River.