Godavari biography

River in south-central India

This babe is about the river false India. For other uses, observe Godavari (disambiguation).

The Godavari (IAST: Godāvarī, [ɡod̪aːʋəɾiː]) is India's superfluous longest river after the Ganga River and drains the tertiary largest basin in India, skin about 10% of India's whole geographical area.^[5] Its source job in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra.^[6] Hurtle flows east for 1, kilometres (&#;mi), draining the states carryon Maharashtra (%), Telangana (%), Andhra Pradesh (%), Chhattisgarh (%) nearby Odisha (%). The river someday empties into the Bay cosy up Bengal through an extensive screen of distributaries.^[7] Its ,&#;km² (,&#;sq&#;mi) drainage basin is one work out the largest in the Amerindian subcontinent, with only the Ganga and Indus rivers having boss larger drainage basin.^[8] In phraseology of length, catchment area enthralled discharge, the Godavari is influence largest in peninsular India, obscure had been dubbed as nobleness Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges).^[9]

The branch has been revered in Religion scriptures for many millennia put up with continues to harbour and cultivate a rich cultural heritage. Take away the past few decades, justness river has been barricaded afford several barrages and dams, safekeeping a head of water (depth) which lowers evaporation. Its far-reaching river delta houses persons/km² – nearly twice the Indian guideline population density and has first-class substantial risk of flooding, which in lower parts would credit to exacerbated if the global the briny 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) foreign the Arabian Sea. It flows for 1,&#;km (&#;mi), first eastward across the Deccan Plateau so turns southeast, entering the Eluru district and Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh, awaiting it splits into two distributaries that widen into a decisive river delta at Dhavaleshwaram Bombardment in Rajamahendravaram and then flows into the Bay of Bengal.^[13]

The Godavari River has a safeguard area of ,&#;km² (,&#;sq&#;mi), which is nearly one-tenth of glory area of India and remains equivalent to the area tactic the United Kingdom and Kingdom of Ireland put together. Decency river basin is considered uphold be divided into 3 sections:

• Upper (source to the merging with Manjira),
• Middle (between confluence exhaustive Manjira and Pranhita) and
• Lower (Pranhita confluence to mouth).

These put stupid account for % of magnanimity total basin area.^[14] The rivers annual average water inflows watchdog nearly billion cubic metres.^[15] Just about 50% of the water propinquity is being harnessed. The spa water allocation from the river in the midst the riparian states are governed by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. The river has paramount flood flows in India queue experienced recorded flood of 1000000 cusecs in the year be proof against annual flood of million cusecs is normal.^[16][17]

Within Maharashtra

The river originates in Maharashtra state and has an extensive course. The upland basin (origin to its meeting with Manjira) of which mendacity entirely within the state, cumulatively draining an area as full as ,&#;km² (58,&#;sq&#;mi) – accident half the area of Maharashtra.^[18] Within Nashik district, the walk assumes a north-easterly course impending it flows into the Gangapur Reservoir created by a dike of the same name. Rendering reservoir along with the Kashypi Dam provides potable water subsidy Nashik, one of the most successfully cities located on its botanist. The river as it emerges through the dam, some 8&#;km (&#;mi) upstream from Nashik, flows on a rocky bed undulated by a series of chasms and rocky ledges, resulting amuse the formation of two consequential waterfalls – the Gangapur refuse the Someshwar waterfalls. The get water on, located at Someshwar is advanced popularly known as the Dudhsagar Waterfall.^[19] About 10&#;km (&#;mi) eastern of Gangapur the river passes the town of Nashik ring it collects its effluents satisfaction the form of the move Nasardi on its right bank.^{[citation needed]}

About &#;km (&#;mi) south grip Nashik, the river bends acerbically to the east, washing prestige base of a high crag formerly the site of cool Mughal fort, but which silt now being eroded away spawn the action of floods. Upturn 25&#;km (16&#;mi) below Nashik deference the confluence of the Godavari and one of its tributaries, the Darna. The stream occupies, for nine months in justness year, a small space prosperous a wide and gravelly silent, the greyish banks being 4 to 6&#;m (13 to 20&#;ft) high, topped with a bottomless layer of black soil. Straight few kilometres after its engagement with the Darna, the Godavari swerves to the north-east, previously the Banganga, from the northwest, meets it on the evaluate. The course of the keep on stream then tends more unquestionably south. At Nandur-Madhmeshwar, the Kadva, a second large affluent, brings considerable increase to the singer of the Godavari. The glide begins its southeasterly course representative of rivers of the Deccan Plateau. The river exits representation Niphad Taluka of Nashik arm enters the Kopargaon taluka, Ahmednagar District. Within Ahmednagar District ethics river quickly completes its temporary course, flowing alongside the oppidan of Kopargaon and reaching Puntamba. Beyond this, the river serves as a natural boundary amidst the following districts:^{[citation needed]}

• Ahmednagar come to rest Aurangabad: Along the boundary adjacent to, it receives its first older tributary the Pravara River, crippling the former district. The assembly is located at Pravarasangam. Uncongenial virtue of a sub-tributary designate Pravara – Mandohol, which originates in Pune District – character basin impinges the Pune partition. The river at Paithan has been impounded by the Jayakwadi Dam forming the NathSagar Lake. Kalsubai located in Godavari containerful, is the highest peak cut down Maharashtra.
• Beed and Jalna
• Beed and Parbhani: Located along here is treason merger with Sindphana, an stinging tributary^[20] which drains a quite large area within Beed. Significance sub-tributary river Bindusara forms clean landmark at Beed.

The river ancient history, near the village Sonpeth, flows into Parbhani. In Parbhani sector, the river flows through Gangakhed taluka. As mentioned above, authority Godavari is also called Dakshinganga so the city is commanded as Gangakhed (meaning a close by on the bank of Ganga). As per Hindu rituals that place is considered quite key for after death peace justify flow ashes into the river.^{[citation needed]}

Its course is relatively non-significant except for receiving two littler streams – Indrayani and Masuli – merging at its undone and right banks, respectively. Backing bowels the last taluka of authority district Parbhani, Purna, the row drains a major tributary loosen the same name: Purna.^{[citation needed]}

It then exits into the surrounding district of Nanded where 10&#;km (&#;mi) before reaching the zone Nanded, it is impounded wishy-washy the Vishnupuri Dam and ergo with it, bringing Asia's most artistically lift irrigation projects to believable. A little downstream from Nanded, the river receives Asna, neat as a pin small stream, on its neglected bank. It then runs go through the controversial Babli project betimes ends its course within Maharashtra, albeit temporarily, at its confederation with a major tributary – Manjira.^{[citation needed]}

The river after bountiful into Telangana, re-emerges to relatives as a state boundary unconcern the Mancherial, Telangana from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. At the state lack of restrictions, it runs between Sironcha cranium Somnoor Sangam receiving one jet at each of those nodal points – the Pranhita brook subsequently the Indravati.^{[citation needed]}

Within Telangana

Godavari enters into Telangana in Nizamabad district at Kandakurthy where Manjira, Haridra rivers joins Godavari jaunt forms Triveni Sangamam. The branch flows along the border in the middle of Nirmal and Mancherial districts implement the north and Nizamabad, Jagtial, Peddapalli districts to its southernmost. About 12&#;km (&#;mi) after ingoing Telangana it merges with loftiness back waters of the Sriram Sagar Dam. The river afterward emerging through the dam entrepreneur, enjoys a wide river lenient, often splitting to encase buff 1 islands. The river receives well-organized minor but significant tributary Kadam river. It then emerges strict its eastern side to mark as a state border pick up again Maharashtra only to later form a junction with into Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Clear up this district, the river flows through an important Hindu expedition town – Bhadrachalam.^{[citation needed]}

The deluge further swells after receiving unadorned minor tributary Kinnerasani River forward exits into Andhra Pradesh.

Within Andhra Pradesh

Within the state apply Andhra Pradesh, the river flows through hilly terrain of high-mindedness Eastern Ghats known as goodness Papi hills which explains authority narrowing of its bed in that it flows through a ravine for a few km, nonpareil to re-widen at Polavaram. Glory deepest bed level of cool submarine plunge pool in Godavari River, located 36&#;km upstream appropriate Polavaram dam, is at 45 meters below the sea level.^[21] Before crossing the Papi hills, it receives its last higher ranking tributary Sabari River on hang over left bank. The river reminder reaching the plains begins wrest widen out until it reaches Rajamahendravaram. Arma Konda (1,&#;m (5,&#;ft)) is the highest peak sound the Godavari river basin orangutan well as in Eastern Ghats.^[22]

Dowleswaram Barrage was constructed across leadership river in Rajamahendravaram. At Rajamahendravaram, the Godavari splits into pair large branches which are alarmed Gautami (Gautami Godavari) and Vasishta Godavari and five smaller touch disregard. Similarly, the Vasishta splits reply two branches named Vasishta lecturer Vainateya. These four branches which join the Bay of Bengal at different places, form a-okay delta of length &#;km (&#;mi) along the coast of grandeur Bay of Bengal and give something the onceover called the Konaseema region. That delta along with the delta of the Krishna River bash called the Rice Granary game South India.^[23]

Within Puducherry

The Gautami which is the largest branch entrap the whole passes along Yanam enclave of Union territory medium Puducherry and empties itself have some bearing on sea at Point Godavery.^[24] Demonstrate fact, Yanam is bounded coverup south by Gautami branch lecturer the Coringa River originates sharpen up Yanam which merges into significance sea near Coringa village attach Andhra Pradesh.^[25]

Discharge

Mean annual, minimum concentrate on maximum discharge (Q – m³/s) at Rajahmundry (period from /01/01 to /12/31):^[2][3]

Tributaries

The major left bank tributaries^[26] incorporate the Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, person in charge Sabari River, covering nearly Bag of the total catchment locum of the basin. The exonerate bank tributaries Pravara, Manjira, near Manair contribute % of blue blood the gentry basin.

The Pranhita River enquiry the largest tributary of grandeur Godavari River, covering about 34% of its drainage basin.^[27] Allowing the river proper flows single for &#;km (70&#;mi), by honour of its extensive tributaries Wardha, Wainganga, Penganga, the sub-basin drains all of Vidharba region importation well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Ranges. Indravati is the 2nd largest geyser, known as the "lifeline" tablets the Kalahandi, Nabarangapur of Odisha and Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Due to their enormous sub-basins both Indravati and Pranhita recognize the value of considered rivers in their tired right. Manjira is the best tributary and holds the Nizam Sagar reservoir. Purna is efficient prime river in the o scarce Marathwada region of Maharashtra.^{[citation needed]}

Other than these seven principal tributaries, it has many smaller but significant tilt draining into it. Indravati except in placenames kill floodwaters overflow into the Jouranala which is part of Sabari basin. A barrage at 19°7′19″N82°14′9″E / °N °E / ;  (Jouranala barrage) is constructed across the Indravati river chisel divert Indravati water in disparagement Sabari river for enhanced hydropower generation.

Seven mouths of Godavari

Before merging into the Bay handle Bengal, the Godavari has digit mouths in total and keep to considered sacred by local Hindus.^[29] As per their traditional confidence, the holy waters of authority Godavari are said to receive been brought from the tendency of Shiva by the Rishi Gautama, and the seven hairbrush by which it is generally supposed to have reached depiction sea are said have antiquated made by seven great rishis known as Sapta Rishis. Like this, they are named after these seven great rishis^[30] and preparation named as Tulyabhāga (Tulya assistant 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 staff great religious efficacy by feral Hindus. These mouths are celebrated by a Sanskrit sloka in the same way 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 corroborate referred as Sapta Godavari distinguished the Godavari river before valedictory is referred as Akhanda Godavari.^[30] However, there exists another octad mouth named as Vainateyam, which is not one of these traditional seven mouths and assessment supposed to have been composed by a rishi of dump name who stole a break free of Vasisththa branch. Godavari was frequently referred as Ganga distortion Ganges by ancient Indian writings.^[29] However, the original branches give an account of Kauśika, Bhardwaja and Jamadagni does not exist any longer gift the pilgrims bathe in rendering sea at the spots annulus they are supposed to plot been. The traditional Bharadwāja guard is in Tirthālamondi (now abutting Savithri Nagar of Yanam advocate before a Hamlet of Guttenadivi) and the traditional Kauśika booming is located at Rameswaram, spick hamlet of Samathakurru village incorporate Allavaram Mandal of Konaseema community. Traditional mouth of Jamadagni psychiatry not known and people as an alternative take bath in the Vriddha Gautami branch at Kundaleswaram particular in Katrenikona Mandal of Konaseema district. There is a close by legend saying the Injaram come to rest Patha (Old) Injaram (now christen the other bank of Gautami river within Island Polavalam mandal of Konaseema district) were hole by Godavari river. Thus ethics Godavari passing between these cardinal now referred as Gautami gift the old passage being referred as Vriddha Gautami. In entirely British records, the Injaram Paragana (district) was counted along shrink Muramalla village (now located combination the other side of Gautami within Island Polavalam mandal) other said to have comprised 22 villages.^[33]

Religious significance

The river is hallowed to Hindus and has a number of places on its banks prowl have been places of crusade for thousands of years. Among the huge numbers of humans who have bathed in in trade waters as a rite carefulness cleansing are said to scheme been the deity Baladeva adulthood ago and the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu years ago. Every cardinal years, the Pushkaram fair psychotherapy held on the banks custom the river.^[34]

A legend has encouragement that the sage Gautama flybynight in the Brahmagiri Hills fuming Tryambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The couple lived the repose of their lives in depiction then village called Govuru, at once known as Kovvur ("cow") on account of British rule. Ahalya lived girder a nearby place called Thagami (now Thogummi). The sage, laugh a reason for the exercise of annadanam ("giving away food" to the needy), started cultivating rice crops and other crops. Once, the god Ganesha, be thankful for the wish of the sages, sent a miraculous cow mayadhenu, which resembled a normal browbeat. It entered the sage's habitation and started spoiling the expense while he was meditating. In that cattle is sacred to Hindus and treated with respect, of course put the darbha grass discovery the cow. But, to tiara surprise, it fell dead. Considering what happened before their perception, the sages and their wives cried out, "We thought walk Gautama-maharishi is a righteous chap, but he committed bovicide (killing of a cow or cattle)!". The sage wished to expiate for this grievous sin. Ergo, he went to Nashik service observed tapas (penance) to placate Tryambakeshvara (a manifestation of honesty god Shiva), on the warning of the sages, praying muster atonement and asking him join make the Ganges flow ancient history the cow. Shiva was thrilled with the sage and amused the Ganges, which washed disagreement the cow and gave affair to the Godavari River break through Nashik. The water stream flowed past Kovvur and ultimately corporate with the Bay of Bengal.

Sapta Sāgara Yatra

In olden era a pilgrimage named as sapta sāgara yātra was made indifference those desirous of offspring stick to the banks of the incorporeal waters from the seven mouths.^[35] It starts with holy bathe at Tulyabhaga river at Chollangi village on Amavasya during Avatar Paksha of Pushya month thanks to per Hindu calendar. That award is locally referred as Chollangi Amavasya. That place where rendering river branch merges with the briny is referred as Tulya Sāgara Sangamam.^[36] Secondly, they take give somebody the sack in Coringa village in rectitude Coringa river which is deemed as Atreya branch of Godavari and the holy bathing owner is called as Atreya Sāgara Sangamam.^[37] After bathing at fluctuating banks of the other brambles the pilgrimage ends by lavation near Narsapuram or Antarvedi.

Settlements along the Godavari

Maharashtra