Himachal Pradesh General Knowledge - Major Rivers in Himachal Pradesh | Rivers, their tributaries and Lakes of Himachal Pradesh

A) Rivers in Himachal Pradesh :

The major drainage system of Himachal Pradesh is based on the flow of rivers like Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna. Rivers in Himachal Pradesh have a unique distinction of providing water to Indus and Gangetic basins.  The water passes into both Bay of Bengal as well as the Arabian Sea.

Himachal Pradesh Rivers

1. Satluj :
Vedic Name : Satudri
Sanskrit Name : Shatdru
Origin : Rakas Tal near Mansarover Lake
Major Tributaries : Nogli, Baspa, Spiti
Distance covered in Himachal : 320 km

2. Beas :
Vedic Name : Arijikiya or Arijikuja
Sanskrit Name : Vipasa
Origin : Byas Kund at Rohtang Pass
Major Tributaries : Banganga, Chakki, Parbati, Uhl, Tirthan, Luni, Sainj, Binwa, Harli
Distance covered in Himachal : 256 km

3.Ravi :
Vedic Name : Purushni
Sanskrit Name : Iravati
Origin : Bara Banghal (Bhandal and Tantgiri Glaciers)
Major Tributaries :Tantgiri, Chatrini, Siul, Bhandar, Baira
Distance covered in Himachal :158 km

4. Chenab : 
Vedic Name :ChandraBhaga
Sanskrit Name : Askini or Iskamati
Origin : Bara Lacha Pass
Major Tributaries : Saicher Nallah (Pangi), Chandra, Bhaga, Miyar Nallah (Lahaul)
Distance covered in Himachal :122km

       
5. Yamuna : 
Vedic Name : Kalindi, Yasita, Yami
Sanskrit Name : Yamuna
Origin : Kalinda Parvat, Yamunotri (Uttrakhand)
Major Tributaries : Giri, Tons, Pabbar, Andhra
Distance covered in Himachal : 22km

B) Lakes of Himachal Pradesh :
Lakes of Himachal Pradesh are glossy, reflective, shimmering, and dotted with flowers on the shoreline. Most of the lakes are nestled at high elevations and provides picturesque views of Himalayan Mountains; however, the rest are man-made reservoirs and basins which are flanked by nature.

 i) Natural Lakes with their Locations -

Rewalsar Lake, Mandi

a) Kangra :
- Dal 
- Kareri

b) Chamba :
- Ghadasru
- Khajjiar
- Lama
- Mani Mahesh
- Mahakali

c) Mandi :
- Kamrunag
- Kumarwaha
- Prashar
- Rewalsar

d) Kullu :
- Dashahar
- Bhrigu

e) Lahaul Spiti :
- Chandratal (Moon Lake)
 - Surajtal

f) Kinnaur :
- Nako
- Saurang

g) Shimla:
- Chandranahan
- Tani Jubbar

h) Sirmaur:
- Renuka  (Largest natural lake)

ii) Man Made Lakes in Himachal Pradesh :
Gobind Sagar - Bilaspur (Largest man-made lake)
Pong - Kangra
Pandoh - Mandi
Maharana Pratap Sagar – Kangra
Chamera lake – Chamba

Prashar Lake, Mandi

C) Major places and cities at the banks of rivers : 
Vyas : Mandi, Kullu, Bajora, Aout, Pandoh, Sujanpur Tira,
Nadaun, Dehra-Gopipur
Satluj : Rampur, Bilaspur
Ravi : Chamba
Yamuna : Paonta Sahib