Rivers Flowing Through Himachal Pradesh: A Brief Overview

All the water streams that converge in a river basin and flow towards the main river collectively form the drainage area, basin, or catchment area of that river.
In Himachal Pradesh, the largest share of the total river catchment area belongs to the Satluj River (30.69%), while the smallest is the Yamuna River (0.67%). The Beas River (24.50%), Chenab (14.2%), and Ravi (9.9%) hold the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively. The remaining 24.06% is covered by their tributaries and other smaller streams.

The major rivers of Himachal Pradesh and their tributaries are part of “2 River Systems”

• Indus River System
• Ganga River System
  • The Satluj, Beas, Ravi, and Chenab rivers of Himachal Pradesh are integral parts of the Indus River System.
  • Yamuna and its tributaries Tons, Pabbar, Giri, Bata, rivers are integral parts of the Ganga River System.

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• Perennial Rivers: The rivers of Himachal Pradesh are perennial, fed by glaciers and rainfall, ensuring a constant flow throughout the year.
• Tributary Network: Numerous tributaries join the five major rivers, contributing to an extensive drainage system.
• Part of Two River Systems: The rivers are part of the Ganga and Indus river systems, highlighting their geographical significance.
• Natural Water Divides: These rivers act as natural water divides between regions.
• Youthful Rivers: The rivers are in their youthful stage.
• Life-Sustaining River Valleys: River valleys are the lifeline of Himachal Pradesh, supporting agriculture, settlements, and livelihoods.
• Hydropower Potential: The fast-flowing rivers hold immense potential for hydroelectric power generation.
• Seasonal Streams from Shivalik Ranges: Streams originating from the Shivalik ranges are seasonal in nature.

Himachal Pradesh is the state of 5 major rivers. These are Satluj, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Yamuna.

• Chenab river rises at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi (Lahaul-Spiti) near the Baralacha pass.
• The Chandra rises from the South-East and Bhaga from the North-West of the Baralacha pass.
• The vedic name of Chenab river is ‘Askini’ and sanskrit name is Chandrabhaga.
• Chenab enters Chamba district leaving Lahaul Spiti in “Pangi Valley” at Bhujind and exits Chamba at “Sansari Nala” to enter “Podar valley” of Kashmir.
• It is the largest river in Himachal in terms of volume of water.
• It flows through Chamba & Lahaul Spiti in Himachal Pradesh.
• It has a total length of 1,200 kilometres. Of this, it flows about 122 kilometres in Himachal Pradesh with a total catchment area of 5,451 square kilometres.
• Apart from two major tributaries (Chandra & Bhaga), the Miyar Khad, Saicher Khad, and River Munawarwali also play significant roles in feeding the Chenab River.

• It rises from a branch of Dhauladhar “Bara Bhangal”. It flows as a joint stream from two glaciers “Badal” and “Tant Giri”.
• The town of Chamba is situated at the right bank of the Ravi river.
• Vedic name of Ravi river is “Purushani” and in Sanskrit, it is called “Iravati”.
• Ravi flows at a stretch of 158 kilometers through Himachal Pradesh with a total catchment area is 5,451 square kilometers.
• Ranjit Sagar Dam has been constructed on this river.
• Ravi river separates Pir Panjal range in the north from Dhauladhar in the south.
• Alexander’s historians called it the ‘Hydraster and Rhouadis’.
• It flows in Chamba & Kangra districts only in H.P.
• It flows about 130 kilometers in the Chamba region and exits Himachal Pradesh at Kheri, entering Jammu & Kashmir.
• It later merges with Chenab at Lahore.
• The Ravi has a total length of 740 kilometers.
• Budhil, Tundahan Beljedi, Tantgari, Saho, Nullah, Siul, Bhadal, Baira and Chirchind are the prominent tributaries of the Ravi.

• Originates from a glacier “Beas Kund” located at an elevation of approx 3700 meters near Rohtang pass (Bhrigu Tung ‘old name’) in the Pir Panjal range.
• In ancient times the Beas river was known as “Arjiki/Arjikya”(vedic name) till Mahabharta.
• It is said that Vishwamitra and Rishi Vashisht were enemies, Vishwamitra once killed hundred sons of Vashisht, leading the grieving sage to tie himself with ropes and jump into the river Arjiki. However, the river freed him by breaking the ropes, and this place became known as Vashisht Village, from where it got its sanskrit name “Vipasha”.
• The Beas river is 460 kilometres in length of which it flows 256 kilometres in Himachal Pradesh.
• Beas flows through Kullu, mandi and Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
• It enters district Mandi at Bajaura, leaves Mandi at Sandhol to enter district Kangra.
• It leaves district kangra at Mirthal to enter Punjab.
• Pong Dam in Kangra district and Pandoh Dam in Mandi district have been constructed on this river.
• After flowing through hundreds of Kilometres in Himachal Pradesh it embraces the river Satluj at “Hari ka Patan” in Ferozepore district of Punjab before flowing to Pakistan.
• Parbati, Phojal, Spin, Manalsu, Sujoin, Malana, Solang, Sarvari, Hurla river and Sainj rivullet in Kullu district, Baner Khad, Ban-Ganga Khad, Chakki khad, Gaj khad, Neogal, Dehar, kunah and Maan khad in Kangra district, Luni, Suketi river, Tirthan river, Uhl river in Mandi district are the major tributaries of the Beas river.

• The Satluj River originates outside the Indian border on the southern slopes of the Kailash Mountain near Mansarovar Lake, emerging from “Rakas Lake” as the “Langqên Zangbo River (in Tibet).
• It is the largest of Himachal Pradesh’s five major rivers.
• Enters the state at Shipki la pass (Altitude of 6,668 meters) and it leaves Himachal Pradesh to enter the plains of Punjab at “Bhakra”.
• The world’s highest gravity dam has been constructed on this river (Bhakra Dam).
• Its total catchment area in Himachal Pradesh is 20,000 square kilometres.
• The vedic name of Satluj is “Satudri” and sanskrit name is “Shatadru”.
• Total length of Satluj is 1,448 km, out of which a stretch of 329 km flows through in Himachal Pradesh.
• Baspa, Spiti, Ropa, Nogli Khad, Soan are famous tributaries of the Satluj river.

• This river originates from the “Yamunotri” at Kalind Parvat in Garhwal hills (Uttrakhand).
• It enters Himachal Pradesh at “Khadar Majri” in Sirmaur district.
• Yamuna river is the largest tributary of the Ganga river.
• In total Yamuna river is 1,525 kilometres in length of which it flows at a stretch of only 22 kilometres (Shortest river) in Himachal Pradesh.
• Total catchment area of Yamuna is 2320 square kilometres in Himachal Pradesh.
• It has mythical relations to the Sun.
• It exits Himachal Pradesh near “Tajewala” and enters the Haryana state.
• The major tributaries of Yamuna river are Tons river, Giri Ganga, Pabbar river, Markanda river, Jalal river, Andhra river, Asni river, Bata river and Patsari river.

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The rivers of Himachal Pradesh play a crucial role in shaping the state’s natural beauty, culture, and economy. The five main rivers that flow through Himachal Pradesh — the Beas, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab, and Yamuna — are not only vital sources of water but also contribute significantly to the region’s drainage system.

When exploring rivers in Himachal Pradesh, one might wonder how many rivers are there in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from the major rivers, there are several smaller streams and tributaries that feed into them, contributing to a rich drainage system.

In terms of size, the longest river in Himachal Pradesh is the Sutlej, while the Yamuna river is smallest river among 5 major rivers. When considering the fastest flowing river in Himachal Pradesh is Beas river due to its steep gradient. The Beas River is often called as “The Ganga of Himachal Pradesh”.
For those interested in exploring the state’s river system in greater detail, above provided Map of rivers in Himachal Pradesh is a very clear representaion of the route of major 5 rivers in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, this region is home to some of the most scenic rivers that offer insight into the region’s ecology, history, and mythology.