{"id":13853,"date":"2026-06-24T16:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T11:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?post_type=academic_content&p=13853"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T11:23:10","slug":"narmada-river","status":"publish","type":"academic_content","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/narmada-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Narmada River Explained: Source, Course, Tributaries & Map Locations"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Narmada River is the longest west-flowing river in India and one of its largest peninsular rivers. The river, originating from Narmada Kund in Amarkantak (Maikala Range), Madhya Pradesh, flows over a length of about 1,312 km through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat before falling into the Gulf of Khambhat(Arabian Sea). Most peninsular rivers, such as the dammed Narmada between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, flow eastward along a rift valley. The river basin spreads across almost 98,800 sq. km of this region, providing benefits for irrigation, hydropower production, biodiversity and livelihoods over a wide area across central India. The major tributaries are the Tawa, Shakkar, Dudhi, Banjar and Hiran rivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Narmada River Origin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Narmada River rises from Narmada Kund, a sacred tank on the Amarkantak Plateau in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. The point of origin is located at the Maikala Range at an approximate elevation of 1,057 metres (3,465 ft) above sea level, situated at the confluence of the Vindhya and Satpura mountain systems. The Narmada, one of India’s most sacred rivers which originates in Amarkantak, central India and flows westward to the sea. The origin site is a pilgrimage location of geographical and ecological significance, drawing many devotees and visitors from all over the country. What makes the river stand out from most other major peninsular rivers of India is that it flows westwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Major Tributaries of Narmada River<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tributary<\/b><\/td>\nBank<\/b><\/td>\nOrigin<\/b><\/td>\nState(s)<\/b><\/td>\nKey Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tawa<\/b><\/td>\nLeft Bank<\/span><\/td>\nSatpura Range<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nLargest tributary of the Narmada; Tawa Dam is built on it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shakkar<\/b><\/td>\nLeft Bank<\/span><\/td>\nSatpura Hills<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nImportant seasonal tributary in the middle basin.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dudhi<\/b><\/td>\nLeft Bank<\/span><\/td>\nSatpura Hills<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nSupports irrigation and local agriculture.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ganjal<\/b><\/td>\nLeft Bank<\/span><\/td>\nSatpura Range<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nDrains parts of Betul and Harda districts.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kolar<\/b><\/td>\nLeft Bank<\/span><\/td>\nVindhya\u2013Satpura Region<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nKnown for Kolar Dam, a major water source.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Banjar<\/b><\/td>\nRight Bank<\/span><\/td>\nMaikal Hills<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nFlows through forested areas near the Kanha region.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hiran<\/b><\/td>\nRight Bank<\/span><\/td>\nVindhya Range<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nOne of the major northern tributaries.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barna<\/b><\/td>\nRight Bank<\/span><\/td>\nVindhya Hills<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nAssociated with the Barna Dam project.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Orsang<\/b><\/td>\nRight Bank<\/span><\/td>\nVindhya Hills<\/span><\/td>\nGujarat<\/span><\/td>\nImportant tributary in the lower Narmada basin.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kundi<\/b><\/td>\nRight Bank<\/span><\/td>\nVindhya Range<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nSeasonal tributary contributing to basin flow.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Major Dams on the Narmada River<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Dam Project<\/b><\/td>\nRiver<\/b><\/td>\nState<\/b><\/td>\nPurpose<\/b><\/td>\nKey Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sardar Sarovar Dam<\/b><\/td>\nNarmada<\/span><\/td>\nGujarat<\/span><\/td>\nIrrigation, Drinking Water, Hydropower<\/span><\/td>\nLargest and most famous project on the Narmada; supplies water to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indira Sagar Dam<\/b><\/td>\nNarmada<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nHydropower & Irrigation<\/span><\/td>\nLargest reservoir in India by water storage capacity.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Omkareshwar Dam<\/b><\/td>\nNarmada<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nHydropower & Irrigation<\/span><\/td>\nLocated near the sacred town of Omkareshwar.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maheshwar Dam<\/b><\/td>\nNarmada<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nHydropower<\/span><\/td>\nSituated near the historic town of Maheshwar.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bargi Dam (Rani Avanti Bai Sagar Project)<\/b><\/td>\nNarmada<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nIrrigation, Hydropower & Fisheries<\/span><\/td>\nFirst major completed dam under the Narmada Valley Development Project.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jobat Dam<\/b><\/td>\nHathni River (Narmada Basin)<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nIrrigation<\/span><\/td>\nImportant project in the Narmada basin region.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tawa Dam<\/b><\/td>\nTawa (Tributary of Narmada)<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nIrrigation & Hydropower<\/span><\/td>\nBuilt on the largest tributary of the Narmada River.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barna Dam<\/b><\/td>\nBarna (Tributary of Narmada)<\/span><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nIrrigation & Water Supply<\/span><\/td>\nImportant reservoir in central Madhya Pradesh.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Also Read<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Yamuna River System<\/a><\/td>\nSon River<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ganga River System<\/a><\/td>\nJhelum River System<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indus River System<\/a><\/td>\nGodavari River System<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brahmaputra River System<\/a><\/td>\nIndian River Systems<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Key Geological Features of Narmada River Basin<\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Through a Rift Valley:<\/b> One of the few major Indian river which flows through a tectonic rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, the Narmada.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • West-flowing peninsular river:<\/b> Flows westward to empty into the arabian sea total of 6 rivers.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Origin at Amarkantak Plateau:<\/b> The river originates from Narmada Kund in the Amarkantak, Maikal hills.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Narmada Valley:<\/b> It demarcates a natural boundary between North and South India.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Marble Rocks Formation:<\/b> The river intersects magnificently at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur through splendid Marble Rocks.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dhuandhar Waterfall:<\/b> Responsible for the famed Dhuandhar Falls due to sudden changes in rock formation.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Alluvial and Black Soils:<\/b> The basin is primarily made of rich alluvial soils, which can be formed by volcanic rocks or sediments.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Seismic Requirements: <\/b>The Narmada\u2013Son Lineament is one of India’s major geological fault lines.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Estuary Formation: <\/b>The river creates an estuary instead of a delta as it meets the Gulf of Khambhat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    FAQs on Narmada River<\/span><\/h2>\n