India is a land of rivers and streams. There are innumerable rivers flowing in different directions. They may be classified on the basis of the origin into two main systems; they are: (i) The Himalayan River System, such as, the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus, and (ii) The Peninsular River System, such as, the Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.
The major important rivers of India:
1. River Ganges originates from Gangotri Glacier and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in the South and South-east direction and covers a total length of 2530 km.
2. River Brahmaputra originates from Chemayungdung Glacier and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in East, South-West and West, South-East direction and covers a total length of 2900 km.
3. River Narmada originates from Amarkantak and drains into The Arabian Sea. It flows in the West and South-West direction and covers a total length of 1282 km.
4. River Tapti originates from Mahadeo and drains into The Arabian Sea. It flows in the North-West and South-West direction and covers a total length of 740 km.
5. River Godavari originates from Nasik, Maharashtra and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in the South-east direction and covers a total length of 1450 km.
6. River Mahanadi originates from Mahakala and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in the South-east direction and covers a total length of 840 km.
7. River Kaveri originates from Western Ghats and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in the South-east direction and covers a total length of 800 km.
8. River Krishna originates from Western Ghats and drains into The Bay of Bengal. It flows in the South-east direction and covers a total length of 752 km.
9. River Indus originates from Manas Sarovar and drains into The Arabian Sea. It flows in the West and South-West direction and covers a total length of 2900 km.