A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| Godavari River | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Path of the Godavari through the South Indian Peninsula | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha |
| Region | West India and South India |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Brahmagiri Mountain, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra, India |
| • coordinates | 19°55′48″N 73°31′39″E / 19.93000°N 73.52750°E |
| • elevation | 920 m (3,020 ft) |
| Mouth | Bay of Bengal |
• location | Antarvedi, Konaseema district Andhra Pradesh, India |
• coordinates | 17°0′N 81°48′E / 17.000°N 81.800°E[1] |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 1,465 km (910 mi) |
| Basin size | 312,812 km2 (120,777 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Godavari Delta, Bay of Bengal |
| • average | 3,505 m3/s (123,800 cu ft/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Rajahmundry (80 km upstream of mouth; Basin size: 308,946 km2 (119,285 sq mi)[2] |
| • average | (Period: 1998/01/01–2023/12/31)3,740.5 m3/s (132,090 cu ft/s)[2][3] |
| • minimum | 79 m3/s (2,800 cu ft/s)[3] |
| • maximum | 12,045 m3/s (425,400 cu ft/s)[3] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Polavaram (1901–1979)[4] |
| • average | 3,061.18 m3/s (108,105 cu ft/s) |
| • minimum | 7 m3/s (250 cu ft/s) |
| • maximum | 34,606 m3/s (1,222,100 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Banganga, Kadva, Shivana, Purna, Kadam, Pranahita, Indravati, Taliperu, Sabari |
| • right | Nasardi, Pravara, Sindphana, Manjira, Manair, Kinnerasani |
The Godavari (IAST: Godāvarī, ) is India's second longest river after the Ganga River and drains the third largest basin in India, covering about 10% of India's total geographical area.[5] Its source is in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra.[6] It flows east for 1,465 kilometres (910 mi), draining the states of Maharashtra (48.6%), Telangana (18.8%), Andhra Pradesh (4.5%), Chhattisgarh (10.9%) and Odisha (5.7%). The river ultimately empties into the Bay of Bengal through an extensive network of distributaries.[7] Measuring up to 312,812 km2 (120,777 sq mi), it forms one of the largest river basins in the Indian subcontinent, with only the Ganga and Indus rivers having a larger drainage basin.[8] In terms of length, catchment area and discharge, the Godavari is the largest in peninsular India, and had been dubbed as the Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges).[9]
The river has been revered in Hindu scriptures for many millennia and continues to harbour and nourish a rich cultural heritage. In the past few decades, the river has been barricaded by several barrages and dams, keeping a head of water (depth) which lowers evaporation. Its broad river delta houses 729 persons/km2 – nearly twice the Indian average population density and has a substantial risk of flooding, which in lower parts would be exacerbated if the global sea level were to rise.[10][11]
Course
The Godavari originates in the Western Ghats of central India near Nashik in Maharashtra, 80 km (50 mi) from the Arabian Sea. It flows for 1,465 km (910 mi), first eastwards across the Deccan Plateau then turns southeast, entering the Eluru district and Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh, until it splits into two distributaries that widen into a large river delta at Dhavaleshwaram Barrage in Rajamahendravaram and then flows into the Bay of Bengal.[13]
The Godavari River has a coverage area of 312,812 km2 (120,777 sq mi), which is nearly one-tenth of the area of India and is equivalent to the area of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland put together. The river basin is considered to be divided into 3 sections:
- Upper (source to the confluence with Manjira),
- Middle (between confluence of Manjira and Pranhita) and
- Lower (Pranhita confluence to mouth).
These put together account for 24.2% of the total basin area.[14] The rivers annual average water inflows are nearly 110 billion cubic metres.[15] Nearly 50% of the water availability is being harnessed. The water allocation from the river among the riparian states are governed by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. The river has highest flood flows in India and experienced recorded flood of 3.6 million cusecs in the year 1986 and annual flood of 1.0 million cusecs is normal.[16][17]
Within Maharashtra
The river originates in Maharashtra state and has an extensive course. The upper basin (origin to its confluence with Manjira) of which lies entirely within the state, cumulatively draining an area as large as 152,199 km2 (58,764 sq mi) – about half the area of Maharashtra.[18] Within Nashik district, the river assumes a north-easterly course until it flows into the Gangapur Reservoir created by a dam of the same name. The reservoir along with the Kashypi Dam provides potable water to Nashik, one of the largest cities located on its banks. The river as it emerges through the dam, some 8 km (5.0 mi) upstream from Nashik, flows on a rocky bed undulated by a series of chasms and rocky ledges, resulting in the formation of two significant waterfalls – the Gangapur and the Someshwar waterfalls. The latter, located at Someshwar is more popularly known as the Dudhsagar Waterfall.[19] About 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Gangapur the river passes the town of Nashik where it collects its effluents in the form of the river Nasardi on its right bank.[citation needed]
About 0.5 km (0.31 mi) south of Nashik, the river bends sharply to the east, washing the base of a high cliff formerly the site of a Mughal fort, but which is now being eroded away by the action of floods. About 25 km (16 mi) below Nashik is the confluence of the Godavari and one of its tributaries, the Darna. The stream occupies, for nine months in the year, a small space in a wide and gravelly bed, the greyish banks being 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) high, topped with a deep layer of black soil. A few kilometres after its meeting with the Darna, the Godavari swerves to the north-east, before the Banganga, from the north-west, meets it on the left. The course of the main stream then tends more decidedly south. At Nandur-Madhmeshwar, the Kadva, a second large affluent, brings considerable increase to the waters of the Godavari. The river begins its southeasterly course characteristic of rivers of the Deccan Plateau. The river exits the Niphad Taluka of Nashik and enters the Kopargaon taluka, Ahmednagar District. Within Ahmednagar District the river quickly completes its short course, flowing alongside the town of Kopargaon and reaching Puntamba. Beyond this, the river serves as a natural boundary between the following districts:[citation needed]
- Ahmednagar and Aurangabad: Along the boundary here, it receives its first major tributary the Pravara River, draining the former district. The confluence is located at Pravarasangam. By virtue of a sub-tributary of Pravara – Mandohol, which originates in Pune District – the basin impinges the Pune district. The river at Paithan has been impounded by the Jayakwadi Dam forming the NathSagar Reservoir. Kalsubai located in Godavari basin, is the highest peak in Maharashtra.
- Beed and Jalna
- Beed and Parbhani: Located along here is its merger with Sindphana, an important tributary[20] which drains a considerably large area within Beed. The sub-tributary river Bindusara forms a landmark at Beed.
The river beyond, near the village Sonpeth, flows into Parbhani. In Parbhani district, the river flows through Gangakhed taluka. As mentioned above, the Godavari is also called Dakshinganga so the city is called as Gangakhed (meaning a village on the bank of Ganga). As per Hindu rituals this place is considered quite important for after death peace to flow ashes into the river.[citation needed]
Its course is relatively non-significant except for receiving two smaller streams – Indrayani and Masuli – merging at its left and right banks, respectively. Within the last taluka of the district Parbhani, Purna, the river drains a major tributary of the same name: Purna.[citation needed]
It then exits into the neighbouring district of Nanded where 10 km (6.2 mi) before reaching the town Nanded, it is impounded by the Vishnupuri Dam and thus with it, bringing Asia's largest lift irrigation projects to life. A little downstream from Nanded, the river receives Asna, a small stream, on its left bank. It then runs into the controversial Babli project soon ends its course within Maharashtra, albeit temporarily, at its merger with a major tributary – Manjira.[citation needed]
The river after flowing into Telangana, re-emerges to run as a state boundary separating the Mancherial, Telangana from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. At the state border, it runs between Sironcha and Somnoor Sangam receiving one tributary at each of those nodal points – the Pranhita and subsequently the Indravati.[citation needed]
Within Telangana
Godavari enters into Telangana in Nizamabad district at Kandakurthy where Manjira, Haridra rivers joins Godavari and forms Triveni Sangamam. The river flows along the border between Nirmal and Mancherial districts in the north and Nizamabad, Jagtial, Peddapalli districts to its south. About 12 km (7.5 mi) after entering Telangana it merges with the back waters of the Sriram Sagar Dam. The river after emerging through the dam gates, enjoys a wide river bed, often splitting to encase sandy islands. The river receives a minor but significant tributary Kadam river. It then emerges at its eastern side to act as a state border with Maharashtra only to later enter into Bhadradri Kothagudem district. In this district, the river flows through an important Hindu pilgrimage town – Bhadrachalam.[citation needed]
The river further swells after receiving a minor tributary Kinnerasani River and exits into Andhra Pradesh.
Within Andhra Pradesh
Within the state of Andhra Pradesh, the river flows through hilly terrain of the Eastern Ghats known as the Papi hills which explains the narrowing of its bed as it flows through a gorge for a few km, only to re-widen at Polavaram. The deepest bed level of a plunge pool in Godavari River, located 36 km upstream of Polavaram dam, is at 45 meters below the sea level.[21] Before crossing the Papi hills, it receives its last major tributary Sabari River on its left bank. The river upon reaching the plains begins to widen out until it reaches Rajamahendravaram. Arma Konda (1,680 m (5,510 ft)) is the highest peak in the Godavari river basin as well as in Eastern Ghats.[22]
Dowleswaram Barrage was constructed across the river in Rajamahendravaram. At Rajamahendravaram, the Godavari splits into two large branches which are called Gautami (Gautami Godavari) and Vasishta Godavari and five smaller branches. Similarly, the Vasishta splits into two branches named Vasishta and Vainateya. These four branches which join the Bay of Bengal at different places, form a delta of length 170 km (110 mi) along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is called the Konaseema region. This delta along with the delta of the Krishna River is called the Rice Granary of South India.[23]
Within Puducherry
The Gautami which is the largest branch of the whole passes along Yanam enclave of Union territory of Puducherry and empties itself into sea at Point Godavery.[24] In fact, Yanam is bounded on south by Gautami branch and the Coringa River originates at Yanam which merges into the sea near Coringa village in Andhra Pradesh.[25]
Discharge
Mean annual, minimum and maximum discharge (Q – m3/s) at Rajahmundry (period from 1998/01/01 to 2023/12/31):[2][3]
| Year | Discharge (m3/s) | Year | Discharge (m3/s) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Mean | Max | Min | Mean | Max | ||
| 1998 | 900 | 3,863 | 8,018 | 2011 | 2,325 | 4,969 | 8,875 |
| 1999 | 552 | 3,411 | 7,901 | 2012 | 878 | 3,198 | 6,184 |
| 2000 | 732 | 3,052 | 6,732 | 2013 | 1,099 | 3,681 | 7,327 |
| 2001 | 79 | 2,378 | 6,525 | 2014 | 455 | 2,564 | 5,363 |
| 2002 | 774 | 3,360 | 6,413 | 2015 | 761 | 2,297 | 4,353 |
| 2003 | 2,070 | 5,114 | 8,571 | 2016 | 1,019 | 2,401 | 4,802 |
| 2004 | 2,764 | 5,142 | 8,039 | 2017 | 847 | 2,415 | 4,633 |
| 2005 | 1,368 | 4,162 | 8,100 | 2018 | 981 | 2,791 | 5,537 |
| 2006 | 988 | 3,097 | 6,753 | 2019 | 496 | 2,625 | 5,791 |
| 2007 | 1,361 | 3,674 | 6,703 | 2020 | 1,575 | 3,061 | 6,492 |
| 2008 | 969 | 3,594 | 6,753 | 2021 | 1,225 | 3,706 | 7,147 |
| 2009 | 2,111 | 4,669 | 7,436 | 2022 | 1,193 | 4,950 | 9,430 |
| 2010 | 2,534 | 6,355 | 10,403 | 2023 | 2,570 | 6,599 | 12,045 |
| 1998–2023 | 1,255 | 3,740 | 7,127 | ||||
Tributaries
The major left bank tributaries[26] include the Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, and Sabari River, covering nearly 59.7% of the total catchment area of the basin. The right bank tributaries Pravara, Manjira, and Manair contribute 16.1% of the basin.
The Pranhita River is the largest tributary of the Godavari River, covering about 34% of its drainage basin.[27] Though the river proper flows only for 113 km (70 mi), by virtue of its extensive tributaries Wardha, Wainganga, Penganga, the sub-basin drains all of Vidharba region as well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Ranges. Indravati is the 2nd largest tributary, known as the "lifeline" of the Kalahandi, Nabarangapur of Odisha and Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Due to their enormous sub-basins both Indravati and Pranhita are considered rivers in their own right. Manjira is the longest tributary and holds the Nizam Sagar reservoir. Purna is a prime river in the water scarce Marathwada region of Maharashtra.[citation needed]
| Tributary | Bank | Confluence location | Confluence elevation | Length | Sub-basin area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pravara | Right | Pravara Sangam, Nevasa, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra | 463 m (1,519 ft) |
208 km (129 mi) |
6,537 km2 (2,524 sq mi) |
| Purna | Left | Jambulbet, Parbhani, Marathwada, Maharashtra | 358 m (1,175 ft) |
373 km (232 mi) |
15,579 km2 (6,015 sq mi) |
| Manjira | Right | Kandakurthi, Renjal, Nizamabad, Telangana | 332 m (1,089 ft) |
724 km (450 mi) |
30,844 km2 (11,909 sq mi) |
| Manair | Right | Arenda, Manthani, Peddapalli, Telangana | 115 m (377 ft) |
225 km (140 mi) |
13,106 km2 (5,060 sq mi) |
| Pranhita | Left | Kaleshwaram, Mahadevpur, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Telangana | 99 m (325 ft) |
113 km (70 mi) |
109,078 km2 (42,115 sq mi) |
| Indravati | Left | Somnoor Sangam, Sironcha, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra | 82 m (269 ft) |
535 km (332 mi) |
41,655 km2 (16,083 sq mi) |
| Sabari | Left | Kunawaram, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh | 25 m (82 ft) |
418 km (260 mi) |
20,427 km2 (7,887 sq mi) |
Other than these seven principal tributaries, it has many smaller but significant ones draining into it. Indravati river floodwaters overflow into the Jouranala which is part of Sabari basin. A barrage at 19°7′19″N 82°14′9″E / 19.12194°N 82.23583°E is constructed across the Indravati river to divert Indravati water in to Sabari river for enhanced hydropower generation.
Seven mouths of Godavari
Before merging into the Bay of Bengal, the Godavari has seven mouths in total and is considered sacred by local Hindus.[29] As per their traditional belief, the holy waters of the Godavari are said to have been brought from the head of Shiva by the Rishi Gautama, and the seven branches by which it is traditionally supposed to have reached the sea are said have been made by seven great rishis known as Sapta Rishis. Thus, they are named after these seven great rishis[30] and are named as Tulyabhāga (Tulya or Kaśyapa), Ātreya (Atri), Gautamī (Gautama), Jamadagni (now replaced by Vṛddhagautamī i.e. Old Gautami), Bhardvāja (Bharadvaja), Kauśika (Visvamitra) and Vaśișțha (Vasishtha).[31] So bathing in these mouths are considered an act of great religious efficacy by native Hindus. These mouths are remembered by a Sanskrit sloka as follow:
tulyātreyī bharadvāja gautamī vṛddhagautamī
kauśikīca vaśiṣṭhaaca tathā sāgaraṃ gataḥ
(Godavari becomes) Tulya, Ātreyi, Bharadvāja, Gautamī, Vṛddhagautamī,
Kauśikī and Vaśiṣṭhaa and then passes into sea.[32][note 1]
Together they are referred as Sapta Godavari and the Godavari river before splitting is referred as Akhanda Godavari.[30] However, there exists another eight mouth named as Vainateyam, which is not one of these traditional seven mouths and is supposed to have been created by a rishi of that name who stole a part of Vasisththa branch. Godavari was frequently referred as Ganga or Ganges by ancient Indian writings.[29] However, the original branches of Kauśika, Bhardwaja and Jamadagni does not exist any longer and the pilgrims bathe in the sea at the spots where they are supposed to have been. The traditional Bharadwāja mouth is in Tirthālamondi (now bordering Savithri Nagar of Yanam and before a Hamlet of Guttenadivi) and the traditional Kauśika mouth is located at Rameswaram, a hamlet of Samathakurru village in Allavaram Mandal of Konaseema district. Traditional mouth of Jamadagni is not known and people instead take bath in the Vriddha Gautami branch at Kundaleswaram village in Katrenikona Mandal of Konaseema district. There is a local legend saying the Injaram and Patha (Old) Injaram (now on the other bank of Gautami river within Island Polavalam mandal of Konaseema district) were split by Godavari river. Thus the Godavari passing between these two now referred as Gautami and the old passage being referred as Vriddha Gautami. In early British records, the Injaram Paragana (district) was counted along with Muramalla village (now located on the other side of Gautami within Island Polavalam mandal) and said to have comprised 22 villages.[33]
Religious significance
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