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India is home to many important rivers that play a crucial role in the lives of its people. They provide potable water, cheap transportation, electricity, and 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.
The major rivers of India are: Flowing into the Arabian Sea: Narmada, Tapi, Sindhu, Sabarmati, Mahi, Purna. Flowing into the Bay of Bengal: Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Ganga, Meghna, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Penna River.
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 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.
In conclusion, India is home to many important rivers that play a crucial role in the lives of its people. These rivers provide water for drinking and irrigation, transportation and electricity. The major rivers of India flow into either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal and originate from one of several main watersheds.