List of the Indian Cities Situated on River Banks

Indian Cities on River Banks

The rivers of India are important for daily life, serving purposes like irrigation, drinking water, transportation, and power generation. They also support livelihoods for many people across the country. As a result, major Indian cities often develop along these rivers, becoming hubs for economic and cultural activities. Understanding Indian rivers is important for competitive exams, including Defence tests. Knowing which cities are located along these rivers can be particularly helpful for the general knowledge section. Below is a detailed list of Indian cities situated along major rivers.

List of the Indian Cities on River Banks

Majorly, Seven rivers that are, Indus, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi and their several tributaries make up the river system of India. Most of the rivers discharge their waters into the Bay of Bengal and Some rivers whose courses take them through the western part of the country and towards the east of the state of Himachal Pradesh drain into the Arabian Sea. Let us look into Major Indian Cities on River Banks –

City on Ganga River

The Ganga River, often referred to as the lifeline of India, holds a special place in the hearts of millions. It has not only served as a vital water source for communities along its banks but has also been a source of inspiration, spirituality, and cultural heritage. Cities situated on the banks of the Ganga River have flourished as centers of history, tradition, and religious significance. These cities, with their rich tapestry of stories, rituals, and architectural wonders, offer a glimpse into the deep-rooted connection between the people and the river.

1. Haridwar

Many pilgrims come here to perform showering on the bank of the Ganga and it is considered that here taking bath can wash away sins.

• Haridwar is considered to be a holy city by the Hindu people.
• As Ganga starts its journey from Gaumukh, it enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India in this city.
• Kumbh Mela is also celebrated here every fourth year.

2. Kanpu

The city produces an estimated 450 million litres of municipal sewage and industrial effluent daily, a majority of which was flowing directly into the holy river until recently.

• Kanpur is an industrial city in the central-western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh,
• It is known as the Manchester of East.

3. Prayagraj

It is the second most established city of India and assumes a focal part in Hindu holy cities. It facilitated both sports and cultural occasions.

• Earlier the city was known by the name Allahabad, situated in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is the seventh most populous city in the State.

4. Varanasi

Varanasi is also called Banaras or Kashi and is known for its ghats, gullies and the holy river Ganga.

• It is a North Indian city on the bank of the river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh.
• The revered Kashi Vishwanath temple has one of the holiest jyotirlingas.

5. Patna

Patna is the capital of Bihar state, situated on the south bank of the Ganga in Eastern India.

• Patna is known for its Gandhi Ghat on the bank of the River Ganga.

6. Rishikesh

70 km before Rishikesh, Alakhnanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet and become a single flow named Ganga. A place where the rivers blend is called Devprayag.

• Rishikesh is the very first city met by the sacred river on her way, which is a metropolitan board and a tehsil in the Dehradun region of Uttarakhand.
• It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India known as “the gateway of the Garhwal Himalayas”.
• Rishikesh is known for its Ayurvedic medication.
• It has four chota char Dham journey places, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.

There are some other cities which are also located on the banks of the Ganga River such as Kolkata, Bala, Kanpur, Baharampur, Bhagalpur, Mirzapur, and Jajmau, these are also equally important.

City on River Yamuna

The Yamuna River is one of the most famous Rivers In India. It is the biggest tributary of the Ganga. The famous river has its source in the Yamunotri Glacier at an elevation of 6,387 meters on the southwestern sides of Banderpooch crests in the lower Himalayan ranges.

The river runs an overall span of 1,376 km (855 miles) and has a catchment area of 366,223 km2. This encompasses 40.2% of the whole Ganges valley, prior to joining the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. The Triveni Sangam is home to the Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years.

Yamuna River passes through 5 states and 9 cities in India. Names of all such states and cities are listed below –

City on Godavari River

The Godavari River is a sacred river of central and southeastern India and it flows from western to southern India. The catchment area of the river is regarded as one of the biggest in the country. The river is 1,465 km long and is the second longest river in the country after Ganga. The drainage basin of the river is present in six states of India: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Orissa.

The source of the Godavari River is situated near Trimbak in the Nashik District of Maharashtra. After setting off, the river runs towards the east, traversing the Deccan Plateau. In the end, the river drains into the Bay of Bengal at Narasapuram in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.

Cities and Towns on the Riverbanks

In Andhra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh, there are several cities and towns situated on the riverbanks of various rivers. Here are some notable examples:

• Nirmal, Adilabad (Nirmal Toys)
• Basara, Adilabad (Gnana Saraswati Temple)
• Battapur, Nizamabad (Armoor Toys)
• Tadpakala, Nizamabad (Armoor Toys)
• Dharmapuri, Karimnagar (Narasimha Swamy Temple)
• Goodem Gutta, Adilabad (Temple)
• Manthani, Karimnagar (Sri Rama, Gautameshwara Swami(Siva) Temple, Sarswathi Temples)
• Kaleshwaram, Karimnagar (Siva or Kaleswara Mukhteswara Swamy Temple)
• Godavarikhani, Karimnagar
• Mancherial, Adilabad
• Bhadrachalam, Khammam
• EturiNagaram, Warangal
• Yanam
• Rajahmundry
• Tallapudi
• Kovvur
• Antarvedi
• Narsapur
• Tadipudi

In Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, there are several cities and towns located on the riverbanks of various rivers. Here are some notable examples:

• Trimbakeshwar (10th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva)
• Nashik (Popular sacred city and Kumbhamela spot)
• Paithan (Old capital of Satvahan empire, Sacred Place)
• Kopargaon
• Nanded (Known as Sachkhand Gurudwara)
• Gangakhed
• Gevrai in District Beed
• Sironcha (Town located close to the meeting point of Pranahita and Godavari rivers)