Section- A, Technical Aspects of Rivers
Himachal has very Dense river system, perennial Glaciers and intense monsoon rainfall support Good Drainage network. There are total five major rivers sytem with number of tributaries. In this section you will see Tables, Maps and Infographics with links of case studies.
| Particular | Satluj | Beas | Chandrabhaga | Ravi | Tons | Yamuna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Rakshtal Lake.(Trans himalaya) | Rohtang Pass. (Pir Panjal- lesser himalaya) | Baralacha Pass. (Greater Himalaya) | Barabhangal( Between Geographical Knot of Pirpanjal and Dhauladhar in Lesser Himalaya) | Banderpuch | Banderpuch |
| Principal Stream | Spiti river join at Khaab. | - | Chandra & Bhaga Both meet at Tandi | Bhadal and Tantgiri | Rupin(in Himachal) and Supin(in Uttrakhand) | |
| Sanskrit Name/Sanskrit Name | Shutudri ( i.e River with a hundred channels") | Vipasa | Askini | Parushni and Iravati | - | - |
| Tibbetan Name | Langzen Zangbo | - | - | - | - | - |
| Greek Name | Hesystrus | Hyphasis | Akesines | Hydraotes | - | - |
| Length | 320 Km | 256 Km | 122 Km | 158 Km | 90 Km | 30 Km |
| Catchment Area | 19665 Sq Km | 14004 Sq Km | 7500 Sq Km. | 5450 Sq km. | 5586.8 Sq Km | - |
| Number of District Drained | 9 District | 6 Districts | 2 Districts | 2 Districts | 3 Districts | 1 District |
| Entry and Exist Point | Enter: Kinnaur-Shipki Shimla-Khab Mandi -Firnu Leave - At Bhakhara (Bilaspur) | Enter : Mandi-Pandoh Kangra-Sandhol Leave- At Mirthal (Kangra) | Enter : Chamba-Bhujind Leave- Sansari Nala.(Chamba) | Enter : Chamba- Near Naya Graan Leave-Kheri(Chamba) | Enter: Sirmaur- Khaadar Majri Leave- Tajewala | |
| Hydro Potential( In M.W) | 13332 | 5995 | 4032 | 3237 | 840 | |
| Right Hand Tributories | Ropa, Keerang, Hangi, Choling, Sorang, Kurpan,Behna,Seer,Sukar and Swan Khads | Manalsu,Sarawari,Uhl,Neri,Binwa,Neugal,Bathu,Banner,Manuni,Manjhi,Churan,Ghajj,Bhed, Chakki. | Miyar, Saichu,Sansari Nala. | Tudah,Saha and Bera-Siul | Rupin,Pabbar,Sainj,Giri and Jalal River. | Tons |
| Left Hand tributories | Nessang, Tidong, Baspa,Marang, Nogli,Sainj, Ali and Ghambhar | Alaini,Malana,Paravati,Garsa Nala,Jiwa Nala,Sainj, Tirthan,Palachan,Suketi,Bukar,Janglehar,Pung,Kunah,Man. | - | - | - | - |
A) Map of Satluj River Basin Himachal Pradesh:-
For Detail Satluj Study Visit Satluj River ,Himachal Pradesh, a Holistic Study.
The Satluj originates near Lake Rakshastal in Tibet, close to Mount Kailash, at an altitude of about 4,575 meters. In Tibet it flow under the name of “Langzen Zangbu” for approximately 260 km before entering India through Shipki La Gorge. Satluj is a Trans-Himalayan Antecedent River, which mean it exist before the Himalayan origin.
Tributaries of Satluj river
River Spiti is major tributary of Satluj, total catchment area of Spiti (Indian Territory) is approximately 574 Sq Km it is fed by perennial glacier of Greater Himalaya, it is perfect example of Longitudinal Consequent stream ,following the northern axis of Greater Himalayan range. River Spiti originates near Kunzum La. In fact Kunzum La range separate the Chandrabhaga basin from Satluj basin. The Spiti River has carved out a broad valley with steep cliffs and river terraces, showcasing fluvial and glacial geomorphology.
The region is rich in fossils, particularly of marine origin.The river’s erosion activity contributes to the sediment load of the Satluj river downstream,Spiti join the Satluj at Khab.
B) River Map of Beas River
For Beas Detail Study visit here Beas River ,Himachal Pradesh, a Holistic Study.
Beas River:- Beas basin is most mystical river of Himachal. It origin is lies in southern slope of Pirpanjal Range near Beas Kund in District Kullu. In term of Area it drained about 25 % area of State. It passes through Kullu, formed deep Gorge near Larji at Dhauladhar Range and passes from this gorges for about 15 Km and enter in District Mandi. It passes from northern part of Mandi and enter district Kangra near Sandhol and transvers through Kangra valley. It formed boundary between Kangra and Mandi and Kangra and Hamirpur.
Kangra constitute around 36.25% of river basin ,followed by Kullu which constitute around 34%, Mandi around 19.4%, Hamirpur around 5.7%, Chamba around 3.5 % and Una around 0.6% area.
In percentage to District area, 88.5% Area of Kangra drained by Beas, followed by Kullu where 86 % Disttrict area drained by Beas. Similarly 72% of Hamirpur area is drained by Beas and around 69% area of Mandi is drained by Beas. Where as 7.2 % area of Chamba and 5.45 % area Una District is drained by Beas.
C) River Map of Ravi River, Himachal Pradesh:
For more Details Chandrabhaga River ,Himachal Pradesh, a Holistic Study.
Ancient capital of Chamba was located on the bank of Budhil stream, whereas Bara Bhangal and Holi are located on Badhal stream. Both stream meet at Kharamukh gorge. From Kharmaukh to deep down ,river flows for 10 kms in a very narrow gorges. After crossing Chhatrari, valley again became wide.
Ancient capital of Chamba was located on the bank of Budhil stream, whereas Bara Bhangal and Holi are located on Badhal stream. Both stream meet at Kharamukh gorge. From Kharmaukh to deep down ,river flows for 10 kms in a very narrow gorges. After crossing Chhatrari, valley again became wide.
Tributories of Ravi River
Ravi has number of important tributaries. For example Tundah Nala which is a torrent , originate near Kalichoo Pass, make a steep descent from mountain. It joined the Ravi below Kharamukh. It drained the southern part of Pir panjal range.
Baira-Siul join the Ravi 10 km below the Chamba town , Baira-Siul is the major tributary of Ravi. River Siul originate near Padri Pass and drained the Southern-Western extension of Pir Panjal (Bandal Valley range. Where as Bera originate near Sachh Pass and drained the Southern Slope of main Pir Panjal range.
After the merger of Ravi and Bera -Siul in Teleru, river take southward turn and cut the Dhauladhar range and leave the district near Khairi. Here it also form the boundary with Jammu and Kashmir.
D) Maps of Chandrabhaga River Basin
Chandrabhaga also known as Chenab is formed by confluence of two stream Chandra and Bhaga,which originate near Baralacha Pass from Chandratal and Suraj Tal respectively. Like other mid Himalayan rivers Chandrabhaga is also a consequent river. It is a high altitude river which mainly fed by perennial glaciers of Greater Himalaya and Pir Panjal ranges.
Catchment area of Chenab river in Himachal Pradesh
Total catchment area of river in himachal pradesh is 7789 Sq Km,~( the area is calculated with SRTM 30 Mts, CRS 32643, in QGIS 3.40 and vector data provided by Geological Survey of India). Chandrabhaga river flows through only two districts of Himachal Pradesh i.e 80 % of its catchment area in Himachal Pradesh is in Lahaul Spiti and rest in Chamba. Further it Drained the 45 % area of Lahaul Spiti and 23 % area of Chamba.
Thus although 80 % catchment area of river in Himachal Pradesh fall in Lahaul Spiti , still it is not main river of District Lahaul Spiti.
Chandrabhaga basin is full of Perennial glacier. River Chandra is fed by Mukkila glacier, Bara shigri glacier, Chhota Shigri glacier,Gora glacier, Sora Umga glacier and Sonapani glacier. Similarly river Bhaga is fed by Gangstang glacier, Baralacha glacier,Lady of Keylong and Geypang glacier. In recent years change in climate change has increased the intensity of GOLF events.
E) Maps of Tons River Basin.
Section- B, Cultural Aspects of Rivers
Beas River Cultural Landscape;
From the Time immorial Beas valley has been most mystical valley of Himachal Pradesh. In 7th Centuary Hesun Tsang visited the Kullu and mention the existence of Both Temples and Monastery in Kullu valley. Number of Local Cults Like, worship of Hadima has long been vogue in valley.
In Medeival India Beas Valley become strong centre of Sidh and Nath Tradition. Ancient temple of this period still can be found righ rom Manali to Indora Kangra. Bathu Ki Lari, Masroor Rockcut Temple, Jagannathi (Bekhli) Temple, Vashisht , Bhootnath temple etc. Apart from it Kangra Paintings, Kangra Kuhls and KangraTea are important part of this cultural landscape.
Satluj River Cultural Landscape
Satluj is Transhimalayan river , similarly its cultural landscape is also very diverse, Spti Region of Satluj basin has large number of ancient Budhist monastery. Language, Food and Dresses of this region vary significantly from outside the world. Parsuram Temple, Nirmand Copper Plate and Sun temple at Nirath are few important Temples of Satluj Basin.
