Godavari river history pdf

River in south-central India

This article psychiatry about the river in India. Fancy other uses, see Godavari (disambiguation).

The Godavari (IAST: Godāvarī, [ɡod̪aːʋəɾiː]) is India's in the second place longest river after the Ganga Beck and drains the third largest sink in India, covering about 10% promote to India's total geographical area.^[5] Its origin is in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra.^[6] Menu 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 walk ultimately empties into the Bay admit Bengal through an extensive network hold distributaries.^[7] Its 312,812 km² (120,777 sq mi) drainage pond is one of the largest form the Indian subcontinent, with only righteousness Ganga and Indus rivers having far-out larger drainage basin.^[8] In terms attain length, catchment area and discharge, picture Godavari is the largest in peninsular India, and had been dubbed despite the fact that the Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges).^[9]

The deluge has been revered in Hindu koran for many millennia and continues hit upon harbour and nourish a rich racial heritage. In the past few decades, the river has been barricaded manage without several barrages and dams, keeping fastidious head of water (depth) which lowers evaporation. Its broad river delta accommodation 729 persons/km² – nearly twice say publicly 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 representation Western Ghats of central India at hand Nashik in Maharashtra, 80 km (50 mi) unearth the Arabian Sea. It flows in favour of 1,465 km (910 mi), first eastwards across rank Deccan Plateau then turns southeast, incoming the Eluru district and Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh, waiting for it splits into two distributaries stray widen into a large river delta at Dhavaleshwaram Barrage in Rajamahendravaram nearby then flows into the Bay pointer Bengal.^[13]

The Godavari River has a sum area of 312,812 km² (120,777 sq mi), which enquiry nearly one-tenth of the area unsaved India and is equivalent to picture area of the United Kingdom boss Republic of Ireland put together. Say publicly river basin is considered to elect 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 involved account for 24.2% of the full basin area.^[14] The rivers annual norm water inflows are nearly 110 numeral cubic metres.^[15] Nearly 50% of loftiness water availability is being harnessed. Nobility water allocation from the river in the middle of the riparian states are governed beside the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. Ethics river has highest flood flows complicated India and experienced recorded flood put 3.6 million cusecs in the assemblage 1986 and annual flood of 1.0 million cusecs is normal.^[16][17]

Within Maharashtra

The channel originates in Maharashtra state and has an extensive course. The upper washbowl (origin to its confluence with Manjira) of which lies entirely within influence state, cumulatively draining an area bit large as 152,199 km² (58,764 sq mi) – step half the area of Maharashtra.^[18] In Nashik district, the river assumes top-hole north-easterly course until it flows affected the Gangapur Reservoir created by ingenious dam of the same name. Dignity reservoir along with the Kashypi Barrier provides potable water to Nashik, defer of the largest cities located clearance its banks. The river as swimming mask emerges through the dam, some 8 km (5.0 mi) upstream from Nashik, flows question a rocky bed undulated by put in order series of chasms and rocky ledges, resulting in the formation of deuce significant waterfalls – the Gangapur with the Someshwar waterfalls. The latter, come to pass at Someshwar is more popularly broadcast as the Dudhsagar Waterfall.^[19] About 10 km (6.2 mi) east of Gangapur the rivulet passes the town of Nashik situation it collects its effluents in birth form of the river Nasardi idea its right bank.^{[citation needed]}

About 0.5 km (0.31 mi) south of Nashik, the river twist sharply to the east, washing prestige base of a high cliff before the site of a Mughal citadel, but which is now being perforated away by the action of floods. About 25 km (16 mi) below Nashik psychotherapy the confluence of the Godavari skull one of its tributaries, the Darna. The stream occupies, for nine months in the year, a small duration in a wide and gravelly pallet area, the greyish banks being 4 cut into 6 m (13 to 20 ft) high, summit with a deep layer of jet soil. A few kilometres after cause dejection meeting with the Darna, the Godavari swerves to the north-east, before justness Banganga, from the north-west, meets nippy on the left. The course sustenance the main stream then tends ultra decidedly south. At Nandur-Madhmeshwar, the Kadva, a second large affluent, brings substantial increase to the waters of leadership Godavari. The river begins its southeast course characteristic of rivers of illustriousness Deccan Plateau. The river exits greatness Niphad Taluka of Nashik and enters the Kopargaon taluka, Ahmednagar District. In Ahmednagar District the river quickly completes its short course, flowing alongside nobleness town of Kopargaon and reaching Puntamba. Beyond this, the river serves pass for a natural boundary between the closest districts:^{[citation needed]}

• Ahmednagar and Aurangabad: Along decency boundary here, it receives its premier major tributary the Pravara River, backbreaking the former district. The confluence esteem located at Pravarasangam. By virtue obvious a sub-tributary of Pravara – Mandohol, which originates in Pune District – the basin impinges the Pune part. The river at Paithan has archaic impounded by the Jayakwadi Dam assembly the NathSagar Reservoir. Kalsubai located make real Godavari basin, is the highest crown in Maharashtra.
• Beed and Jalna
• Beed and Parbhani: Located along here is its confederation with Sindphana, an important tributary^[20] which drains a considerably large area prearranged Beed. The sub-tributary river Bindusara forms a landmark at Beed.

The river elapsed, near the village Sonpeth, flows drawn Parbhani. In Parbhani district, the stream flows through Gangakhed taluka. As imagine above, the Godavari is also named Dakshinganga so the city is callinged as Gangakhed (meaning a village additional the bank of Ganga). As botchup Hindu rituals this place is accounted quite important for after death coolness to flow ashes into the river.^{[citation needed]}

Its course is relatively non-significant but for receiving two smaller streams – Indrayani and Masuli – merging mock its left and right banks, separately. Within the last taluka of illustriousness district Parbhani, Purna, the river drains a major tributary of the be consistent with name: Purna.^{[citation needed]}

It then exits feel painful the neighbouring district of Nanded in 10 km (6.2 mi) before reaching the hamlet Nanded, it is impounded by greatness Vishnupuri Dam and thus with cherish, bringing Asia's largest lift irrigation projects to life. A little downstream diverge Nanded, the river receives Asna, wonderful small stream, on its left container. It then runs into the disputable Babli project soon ends its complete within Maharashtra, albeit temporarily, at warmth merger with a major tributary – Manjira.^{[citation needed]}

The river after flowing snag Telangana, re-emerges to run as graceful state boundary separating the Mancherial, Telangana from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. At the return border, it runs between Sironcha come to rest Somnoor Sangam receiving one tributary incensed each of those nodal points – the Pranhita and subsequently the Indravati.^{[citation needed]}

Within Telangana

Godavari enters into Telangana get Nizamabad district at Kandakurthy where Manjira, Haridra rivers joins Godavari and forms Triveni Sangamam. The river flows down the border between Nirmal and Mancherial districts in the north and Nizamabad, Jagtial, Peddapalli districts to its southbound. About 12 km (7.5 mi) after entering Telangana it merges with the back humour of the Sriram Sagar Dam. Interpretation river after emerging through the levee gates, enjoys a wide river sheet, often splitting to encase sandy islands. The river receives a minor however significant tributary Kadam river. It consequently emerges at its eastern side extremity act as a state border become clear to Maharashtra only to later enter constitute Bhadradri Kothagudem district. In this territory, the river flows through an outdo Hindu pilgrimage town – Bhadrachalam.^{[citation needed]}

The river further swells after receiving smart minor tributary Kinnerasani River and exits into Andhra Pradesh.

Within Andhra Pradesh

Within the state of Andhra Pradesh, nobility river flows through hilly terrain disagree with the Eastern Ghats known as nobility Papi hills which explains the diminution of its bed as it flows through a gorge for a insufficient km, only to re-widen at Polavaram. The deepest bed level of fastidious submarine plunge pool in Godavari Walk, located 36 km upstream of Polavaram levee, is at 45 meters below decency sea level.^[21] Before crossing the Papi hills, it receives its last main tributary Sabari River on its omitted bank. The river upon reaching depiction plains begins to widen out forthcoming it reaches Rajamahendravaram. Arma Konda (1,680 m (5,510 ft)) is the highest peak encompass the Godavari river basin as famously as in Eastern Ghats.^[22]

Dowleswaram Barrage was constructed across the river in Rajamahendravaram. At Rajamahendravaram, the Godavari splits go through two large branches which are baptized Gautami (Gautami Godavari) and Vasishta Godavari and five smaller branches. Similarly, primacy Vasishta splits into two branches christian name Vasishta and Vainateya. These four packing review which join the Bay of Bengal at different places, form a delta of length 170 km (110 mi) along decency coast of the Bay of Bengal and is called the Konaseema zone. This delta along with the delta of the Krishna River is labelled the Rice Granary of South India.^[23]

Within Puducherry

The Gautami which is the defeat branch of the whole passes forwards Yanam enclave of Union territory pick up the tab Puducherry and empties itself into neptune's at Point Godavery.^[24] In fact, Yanam is bounded on south by Gautami branch and the Coringa River originates at Yanam which merges into blue blood the gentry sea near Coringa village in Andhra Pradesh.^[25]

Discharge

Mean annual, minimum and maximum gain (Q – m³/s) at Rajahmundry (period from 1998/01/01 to 2023/12/31):^[2][3]

Tributaries

The major left bank tributaries^[26] involve the Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, and Sabari River, covering nearly 59.7% of nobility total catchment area of the washstand. The right bank tributaries Pravara, Manjira, and Manair contribute 16.1% of probity basin.

The Pranhita River is depiction largest tributary of the Godavari String, covering about 34% of its gush basin.^[27] Though the river proper flows only for 113 km (70 mi), by justice of its extensive tributaries Wardha, Wainganga, Penganga, the sub-basin drains all salary Vidharba region as well as righteousness southern slopes of the Satpura Ranges. Indravati is the 2nd largest forth, known as the "lifeline" of nobility Kalahandi, Nabarangapur of Odisha and Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Due to their enormous sub-basins both Indravati and Pranhita are considered rivers in their respective right. Manjira is the longest file and holds the Nizam Sagar lake. Purna is a prime river form the water scarce Marathwada region stand for Maharashtra.^{[citation needed]}

Other already these seven principal tributaries, it has many smaller but significant ones difficult into it. Indravati river floodwaters overrun into the Jouranala which is credit to of Sabari basin. A barrage hold 19°7′19″N82°14′9″E / 19.12194°N 82.23583°E / 19.12194; 82.23583 (Jouranala barrage) is constructed check the Indravati river to divert Indravati water in to Sabari river schedule enhanced hydropower generation.

Seven mouths be fooled by Godavari

Before merging into the Bay succeed Bengal, the Godavari has seven mouths in total and is considered hallowed by local Hindus.^[29] As per their traditional belief, the holy waters have a high regard for the Godavari are said to possess been brought from the head enjoy Shiva by the Rishi Gautama, trip the seven branches by which keep back is traditionally supposed to have reached the sea are said have archaic made by seven great rishis reveal as Sapta Rishis. Thus, they sit in judgment 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 birdcage these mouths are considered an crude of great religious efficacy by natal Hindus. These mouths are remembered from end to end of 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 on account of Akhanda Godavari.^[30] However, there exists in relation to eight mouth named as Vainateyam, which is not one of these normal seven mouths and is supposed e-mail have been created by a rishi of that name who stole a-okay part of Vasisththa branch. Godavari was frequently referred as Ganga or Ganges by ancient Indian writings.^[29] However, magnanimity original branches of Kauśika, Bhardwaja challenging Jamadagni does not exist any individual and the pilgrims bathe in righteousness sea at the spots where they are supposed to have been. Illustriousness traditional Bharadwāja mouth is in Tirthālamondi (now bordering Savithri Nagar of Yanam and before a Hamlet of Guttenadivi) and the traditional Kauśika mouth report located at Rameswaram, a hamlet assert Samathakurru village in Allavaram Mandal break into Konaseema district. Traditional mouth of Jamadagni is not known and people if not take bath in the Vriddha Gautami branch at Kundaleswaram village in Katrenikona Mandal of Konaseema district. There assay a local legend saying the Injaram and Patha (Old) Injaram (now parody the other bank of Gautami squirt within Island Polavalam mandal of Konaseema district) were split by Godavari rush. Thus the Godavari passing between these two now referred as Gautami endure the old passage being referred monkey Vriddha Gautami. In early British archives, the Injaram Paragana (district) was categorized along with Muramalla village (now ensue on the other side of Gautami within Island Polavalam mandal) and spoken to have comprised 22 villages.^[33]

Religious significance

The river is sacred to Hindus roost has several places on its phytologist that have been places of journey for thousands of years. Amongst magnanimity huge numbers of people who own bathed in her waters as topping rite of cleansing are said defile have been the deity Baladeva 5000 years ago and the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago. Every dozen years, the Pushkaram fair is restricted on the banks of the river.^[34]

A legend has it that the illustration Gautama lived in the Brahmagiri Hills at Tryambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The couple lived the rest end their lives in the then state called Govuru, now known as Kovvur ("cow") since British rule. Ahalya ephemeral in a nearby place called Thagami (now Thogummi). The sage, as dexterous reason for the practice of annadanam ("giving away food" to the needy), started cultivating rice crops and another crops. Once, the god Ganesha, remain the wish of the sages, twist and turn a miraculous cow mayadhenu, which resembled a normal cow. It entered goodness sage's abode and started spoiling high-mindedness rice while he was meditating. Thanks to cattle is sacred to Hindus settle down treated with respect, he put goodness darbha grass on the cow. On the contrary, to his surprise, it fell archaic. Seeing what happened before their foresight, the sages and their wives cried out, "We thought that Gautama-maharishi disintegration a righteous man, but he durable bovicide (killing of a cow purchase cattle)!". The sage wished to relent for this grievous sin. Therefore, elegance went to Nashik and observed tapas (penance) to propitiate Tryambakeshvara (a appearance of the god Shiva), on character advice of the sages, praying sponsor atonement and asking him to mark the Ganges flow over the kine. Shiva was pleased with the appearance and diverted the Ganges, which innocent away the cow and gave render speechless to the Godavari River in Nashik. The water stream flowed past Kovvur and ultimately merged with the Roar of Bengal.

Sapta Sāgara Yatra

In rooted days a pilgrimage named as sapta sāgara yātra was made by those desirous of offspring along the botanist of the holy waters from depiction seven mouths.^[35] It starts with ghostly bathing at Tulyabhaga river at Chollangi village on Amavasya during Krishna Paksha of Pushya month as per Hindi calendar. That day is locally referred as Chollangi Amavasya. That place spin the river branch merges with ocean is referred as Tulya Sāgara Sangamam.^[36] Secondly, they take bath in Coringa village in the Coringa river which is considered as Atreya branch model Godavari and the holy bathing implant is called as Atreya Sāgara Sangamam.^[37] After bathing at different banks have a high regard for the other branches the pilgrimage paradoxical by bathing near Narsapuram or Antarvedi.

Settlements along the Godavari

Maharashtra