Table of Contents
The rivers of Himachal Pradesh mainly formed the glaciers of the Himalayan Mountains. Those mountains provide water to the smaller rivers of Himachal and the two great rivers of India, the Indus River Ganges valleys. There are many small and big rivers in Himachal Pradesh. In this article, you will get complete information about the rivers in HP.
7 List of Rivers in Himachal Pradesh, India With Their Name
1. Beas
Beas is one of the main rivers of Himachal Pradesh, originates from Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It enters Mandi district via Kullu, then enters Kangra. After that, it enters Punjab. The total length of the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh is 256 km. Mandi Nagar of Himachal is situated on the banks of Beas.
- Tributaries of Beas – Parvati, Malana Nala, Fozal, Sarvari, Uhl, Luni, Hansa Tirthan, Bakhali, Juni, Suketi, Son, Kunah, Maan, Binwa, Neogal, Baner, Gaj, Chakki.
- Vedic Name – Arjikiya
- Sanskrit Name – Bipasa
- Origin – Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass
- Water Catchment Area – 13,663 Km
- Total Length – 470 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 256 Km
Key Points: Enters into Punjab of Murthal and merges with Sutlej from Hari ka Patan in Firozpur district of Punjab. Entering at Bajaura in Mandi district and entering Kangra from Sandhol of Mandi.
Also Read: Festivals of Himachal Pradesh
2. Chenab
The Chenab originates from the Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh. Chenab was formed by meeting two rivers named Chandra and Bhaga. The Chandra and Bhaga rivers join together to form the Chenab at Tandi. After leaving Lahaul-Spiti, Chenab enters Jammu and Kashmir via Chamba. The total length of the Chenab river in Himachal Pradesh is 122 km.
- Tributaries of Chenab – Chandra and Ran.
- Vedic Name – Askini
- Sanskrit Name – Chandrabhaga
- Origin – Baralacha La Pass
- Water Catchment Area – 29,050 Km
- Total Length – 960 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 122 Km
Key Points: The longest river in Himachal Pradesh in terms of volume of water enters the Pangi valley at Bhujind and emerges from district Chamba at Sansari Nala to enter the Poddar valley of Kashmir.
3. Sutlej River
Sutlej is one of the major and longest rivers in Himachal Pradesh. It originates from Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. In India, the Sutlej enters from a place called Shipki in Kinnaur. In Himachal, the Sutlej mainly flows through Kinnaur, Bilaspur, and Shimla; then, the Sutlej enters Punjab.
- Tributaries of Sutlej – Ali, Gambhrola, Sir Khad, Swan, Ropa, Kashang, Spiti, Bhaba, Baspa, Imla Khad, Vimala Khad.
- Vedic Name – Sutudra
- Sanskrit Name – Rakas Lake
- Origin – From Rakas Lake near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet
- Water Catchment Area – 20,398 Km
- Total Length – 1,450 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 320 Km
- Location – Shipkila in district Kinnaur enters Himachal Pradesh
Key Points: The largest artificial lake on the Sutlej is Govind Sagar. There is Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej.
4. Ravi
The Ravi river originates from “Bada Bhangal” in the Dhauladhar mountain range of Himachal (Multan tehsil of Kangra district). Chamba Nagar is situated on the banks of Ravi. The name of Ravi in Sanskrit is Iravati, while its Vedic name is Purushani.
- Tributaries of Ravi – Chirchind, Sal, Syul, Chhatradi, Bhadal.
- Vedic Name – Purushani
- Sanskrit Name – Iravati
- Origin – Originates as a combined stream by Bhadal and Tantagiri.
- Water Catchment Area – 5,528 Km
- Total Length – 720 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 158 Km
Key Point: Separates Pir Panjal from Dhauladhar. Alexander called this ‘hyphasis’.
Also Read: Tribes of Himachal Pradesh
5. Yamuna
The Yamuna originates from Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. It enters Haryana through Paonta Sahib and Tajewal in Himachal. The Vedic name of the Yamuna River is Kalindi.
- Tributaries of Yamuna – Pabbar, Tons, Bata, Giri.
- Vedic Name – Kalindi
- Origin – From Yamunotri in the Garhwal Hills of Uttarakhand
- Water Catchment Area – 2,320 Km
- Total Length – 1,376 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 22 Km
- Location – Enters Himachal Pradesh in district Sirmaur at Khadar Majri, separates from a place called Kaunch, it separates Kyraddoon from Dehradun
Key Points: Tons River, a tributary of Yamuna, forms a natural boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The one of the smallest rivers in Himachal Pradesh. The easternmost river of Himachal Pradesh.
6. Spiti River
The source of the Spiti River lies on the eastern slopes on the far north mountain ranges, between Lahaul and Spiti. The main flow of the Spiti River, which is fed by glaciers, is a perennial one, while some tributaries disappear into loose debris at the foot of the plateaus. It continues in Kinnaur district up to a place known as Khabo, joining the Satluj.
- Tributaries of Spiti River – Kunzum La Togpo, Kabzima and Pinglung
- Origin – Kunzum range (4300 m)
- Total Length – 130 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 130 Km
7. Baspa River
The Baspa River is a river flowing in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is a tributary of the Sutlej River. It starts in the Himalayan glaciers in the Kinnaur district. Baspa Valley, also known as Sangla Valley, is an idyllic mountain valley that attracts tourists.
- Origin – Baspa valley
- Total Length – 75 Km
- Length in Himachal Pradesh – 75 Km
FAQS
1. How many rivers in Himachal Pradesh?
Many rivers are found in Himachal, but there are five rivers in the drainage system of Himachal, namely Sutlej, Chenab Beas, Ravi, and the Yamuna.
2. Which rivers originates from Himachal mountain?
Beas, Ravi and Chenab are originates from the Himachal mountains.
3. Where is Beas Kund?
Beas Kund is located in the Kullu valley, it is considered a holy lake and it is the original source of the river Beas.
