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The Godavari (length 1465 km, basin 312,800 sq km)


Godavari is the largest river of peninsular India. It rises in the Western Ghats from a spring below Nasik, drains eastern and southeastern Maharashtra, Bastar plateau (Chhattisgarh), and Telengana and Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh. It receives a large number of tributaries, particularly on its left bank, such as Puma, Manor, Penganga, Pranhita (the combined Wardha and Wainganga), Indravati, Tai and Sabri. The Manjira is the only important right bank tributary. The Indravati and Sabri are the two streams which rise on the western slopes of the Eastern Ghats, but they flow’ east and southeastwards respectively. Below' the confluence with Indravati, it flows in a picturesque gorge through the Eastern Ghats. Below Rajamundry, it has constructed a large symmetrical delta and reaches the Bay of Bengal by its three main ditributaries. The delta of Godavari is characterised by a number of palaeo-channels and mangroves associated with lagoons. The Kolleru Lake, lying to the southeast of Kakinada, is one such inland lagoon.