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Telangana Rivers

Telangana, located in the heart of the Deccan Plateau, is primarily drained by two mighty rivers—the Godavari and the Krishna—which flow from west to east, cutting across the diverse landscapes of the state. These rivers are the lifelines of Telangana, providing vital water resources for irrigation, agriculture, and industry, while sustaining the rich biodiversity of the region.

Beyond their economic importance, the Godavari and Krishna rivers are deeply woven into the cultural, religious, and historical fabric of Telangana. Along their banks lie ancient temples, sacred pilgrimage sites, and historic towns, reflecting centuries of civilization and spiritual practices. Many communities in the state still depend on these rivers for daily life, festivals, and rituals, making them both a natural and cultural heritage of immense value.

The rivers have also shaped the topography, settlement patterns, and agricultural systems of Telangana. From fertile plains that support extensive paddy cultivation to rugged riverine valleys that nurture forests and wildlife, the Godavari and Krishna have defined the land and its people for millennia.

In essence, these rivers are far more than just waterways—they are symbols of life, faith, and heritage, flowing tirelessly through Telangana’s history and modern development.

Origin and Formation of Godavari and Krishna Rivers

The Godavari and Krishna Rivers have their origins deeply rooted in the geological processes of the Cenozoic Era (Navajeevee Mahakaal, c. 66 million BCE – present), also known as the Age of Mammals, which witnessed the emergence and diversification of modern life.
Plate Tectonics and the Formation of Rivers

Approximately 55–50 million years ago, during the Eocene Epoch of the Cenozoic Era, the Indian Plate began colliding with the Eurasian Plate, initiating the uplift of the Himalayas and the Alps. Prior to this collision, the Indian Plate had started breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwana. As it drifted northwards, the continental crust stretched, cracked, and fractured, forming major geological structures that would define river systems in peninsular India.

Rift Valleys and River Basins

One of the major geological outcomes of this crustal stretching was the formation of linear depressions or rift valleyscalled grabens:

Godavari Graben: A large, linear depression formed due to the downward displacement of a block of crust between two parallel faults. This graben created the primary basin along which the Godavari River flows.

Krishna Graben: A parallel rift valley, located south of the Godavari Graben, became part of the larger Palar–Nellore–Krishna Graben system. The Krishna Graben provided the structural foundation for the Krishna Riverand its tributaries.

A “graben” is essentially a block of land that has subsided between two parallel faults, forming a natural channel for river flow.
Role of the Western Ghats

The uplift of the Western Ghats, primarily due to the compressive forces from the collision of India with Eurasia, further shaped the drainage patterns of peninsular rivers. The elevated Western Ghats provided the highland sources from which both rivers originated:

Godavari River: Originates near Triambak, Nashik, Maharashtra, on the northern edge of the Western Ghats.

Krishna River: Originates near Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, on the southern Western Ghats.

These combined tectonic and erosional processes—rift valley formation, block subsidence, and mountain uplift—created the longitudinal river basins along which the Godavari and Krishna rivers have flowed for millions of years, carving fertile plains and sustaining ecosystems across peninsular India.

Godavari River

The Godavari River is the second-longest river in India, after the Ganges, and holds the distinction of being the longest river in Peninsular India. Revered as Dakshin Ganga (the Ganges of the South) and also known as Gautami, the river has immense cultural, religious, and ecological significance.

Originating in the Western Ghats at Triambak near Nasik in Maharashtra, the Godavari traverses diverse terrains before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Its journey spans 1,465 km (910 mi) and drains a vast area of 312,812 sq km, supporting millions of people along its banks.

In Telangana, the Godavari enters at Kandakurthi in Renjal Mandal, Nizamabad district, where it meets tributaries like Manjeera and Haridra, forming the sacred Triveni Sangamam. Flowing eastwards, the river nourishes fertile agricultural lands, sustains forests, and passes through historically and spiritually significant towns such as Basar and Bhadrachalam.

The river’s course in Telangana covers approximately 600 km, draining 58,808 sq km across districts including Nizamabad, Nirmal, Jagitial, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, and Bhadradri Kothagudem. Along its path, it receives numerous tributaries from both the right and left banks, such as the Pranahitha, Kinnerasani, Manjeera, and Manair Rivers, each contributing to the river’s flow and regional significance.

Historically, the Asmakas, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas in the 6th century BCE, established their kingdom along the Godavari’s banks, highlighting the river’s role as a cradle of civilization. Even today, the Godavari continues to be a lifeline for agriculture, human settlements, and religious traditions in Telangana, making it both a natural treasure and a cultural emblem of the region.

Key Details:

Origin: Western Ghats at Triambak near Nasik, Maharashtra
Outflow: Bay of Bengal
Elevation at Source: 1,067 m (3,500 ft)
Length: 1,465 km (910 mi)
Drainage Area: 312,812 sq km
States Covered: Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry (Yanam)
Length in Telangana: 600 km
Drainage in Telangana: 58,808 sq km
Districts in Telangana: Nizamabad, Nirmal, Jagitial, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem

Course in Telangana:

The Godavari enters Telangana from Maharashtra at Kandakurthi in Renjal Mandal, Nizamabad district, where it meets its tributaries Manjeera and Haridra, forming the Triveni Sangamam. Soon after, it flows past the temple town of Basar, a holy site for devotees of Goddess Saraswati.

From there, the river flows along the northern border of Nirmal and Mancherial districts and the southern boundary of Nizamabad, Jagtial, and Peddapalli districts. Historically, the Asmakas, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of the 6th century BCE, ruled their kingdom along the banks of the Godavari.

In its early course, the river separates the Chanda district of Maharashtra and Bastar district of Madhya Pradeshfrom Telangana, flowing for about 283 km. About 12 km after entering Telangana, it merges with the backwaters of the Sriram Sagar Dam. Emerging from the dam gates, it spreads into a wide riverbed, often forming sandy islands. The Godavari receives the minor but significant tributary Kadem (Kadam) River and later flows along the Maharashtra border before entering Khammam district, passing through the pilgrimage town of Bhadrachalam. Here it is joined by the Kinnerasani River before finally exiting into Andhra Pradesh.

Tributaries of Godavari in Telangana

Right Bank Tributaries:
Nizamabad: Manjra / Manjira River (Kandakurthy, Renjal Mandal), Phulang / Phulagan Vagu (Naleshwar village), Kottur Vagu (Nizamsagar Project, Ganagasamundar village), Tadpkal Pedda Vagu (near Tadpkal Pushkar Ghat, Tadpkal village)

Jagitial: Bornapalli Pedda Vagu (Bornapalli village, Raikal Mandal), Vennamuddala Vagu (Rangasagar village), Kapparaopeta Pedda Vagu

Peddapalli: Pittipoli Vagu (Undeda village), Bandala Vagu (Vemnoor village), Bokkala Vagu (Manthani village), Marri Vagu (Khansaipeta village)

Jayashankar Bhupalpally: Maner / Manair River (Damerakunta village), Damerakunta Pedda Vagu (Damerakunta), Bandla Vagu (Annaram), Pranahitha / Pranhita River (Kaleshwaram village, Mahadevpur Mandal), Bandala Vagu (Peddampet), Garkepalle Pedda Vagu (Garkepalle), Sarvaipeta Vagu (Sarvaipeta), Indravati River (Dammur)

Mulugu: Mada Vagu (Buttaigudem), Laknavaram River (Eturnagaram), Gaurappa Vagu (Mangapet), Mallur / Malluru Vagu (Chunchupalle, Mallur), Kora / Kukkatogu Vagu (Marrigudem), Thimmapuram Vagu (Kathigudem)

Bhadradri Kothagudem: Bayyaram Pedda Vagu (Bayyaram, Pinapaka), Posampalli Vagu (Gaddampalle, Pinapaka), Kodipunjula Vagu (Annaram, Manuguru), Mallapalli Togu (Nellipaka), Kinnarasani River (Burgam Pahad, Telangana-Andhra border)

Left Bank Tributaries:

Nirmal: Sudda Vagu (Basar), Swarna River (Madhapur village), Rekoni Vagu (Khanapur), Kaddam River (Bellal, Kaddam Mandal), Buttapur Manjra Pedda Vagu (Buttapur village)

Mancherial: Gudi Vagu (Kalmadugu), Badempalle Manjra Pedda Vagu (Badempalle), Raja Vagu (Gurrevu), Peddayya Vagu (Laxmikantapur), Gudem Vagu (Gudam), Kapparaopeta Pedda Vagu (Kapparaopeta), Potepalli Vagu (Luxettipet), Rali Vagu (Kothapalle), Ralla Vagu (Kothapalle)

Peddapalli / Jayashankar Bhupalpally / Mulugu / Bhadradri Kothagudem: Maddila Vagu (Somanpalle), Gollavagu (Konampet), Dhabba Thogu (Chandrupatla), Nirudu Vagu (Chikupalle), Gundla Vagu (Pusur), Jella / Palem Vagu (Venkatapuram), Taliperu River (Tegada, Mogulapalle, Cherla), Sita Vagu (Parnasala, Chinnaravi Gudem), Gangaler / Pedha Bandirevu Vagu (Chinnaravi Gudem), Turubaka Pedda Vagu / Guralla Bairu Vagu (Turubaka, Telangana-Andhra border)

Manair River Tributaries: Boggulavagu, Kodaliar, Mohidummeda, Medivagu, Rallavagu, Salivagu, Shanigaram, Yellamagadda Vagu

Pranahitha River Tributaries: Peddavagu River, Chelmelavagu (Bugga Vagu), Vattivagu River, Yerravagu, Nallavagu

Penganga River Tributaries: Sathnala, Mathadivagu

Kinnerasani River Tributaries: Murredu, Gollavagu

Krishna River

The Krishna River, also known as Kistna or Krishnaveni, is the third-longest river in India, after the Ganges and Godavari, and the second-longest river in Peninsular India. In terms of water inflow and river basin area, it ranks fourth in India, following the Ganges, Godavari, and Brahmaputra.

Originating from Jor village in Mahabaleshwar, Western Ghats, Satara district, Maharashtra, the Krishna River flows across diverse landscapes, sustaining agriculture, industry, and human settlements along its banks. It travels a length of 1,400 km (869.9 mi), draining an area of 258,948 km², before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Hamsaladeevi village in Andhra Pradesh.

In Telangana, the Krishna River enters at Thangadigi village, Krishna Mandal, Narayanpet district, and flows for approximately 430 km before exiting at Vajinepally, MellaCheruvu Mandal, Suryapet district. Along its course, it traverses the districts of Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, and Suryapet, providing vital water resources for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial uses.

The Krishna River is fed by numerous tributaries, including the Bhima, Musi, Tungabhadra, Dindi, and Paleru Rivers, as well as several smaller streams and rivulets from both the left and right banks. Its waters support fertile agricultural lands, forests, and a variety of ecosystems, making it a critical lifeline for Telangana.

Culturally and historically, the Krishna River has been central to the development of settlements and religious sites along its banks. It remains a source of inspiration, livelihood, and ecological balance, shaping the geography and human life of the region for centuries.

Key Details

Origin: Jor village, Mahabaleshwar, Western Ghats, Satara district, Maharashtra
Outflow: Bay of Bengal, near Hamsaladeevi village, Diviseema, Koduru Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
Length: 1,400 km (870 mi)
Drainage Area: 258,948 km²
Elevation at Source: 1,337 m (4,386 ft)
States Covered: Maharashtra (305 km), Karnataka (483 km), Telangana & Andhra Pradesh (612 km)
Length in Telangana: ~430 km
Start in Telangana: Thangadigi village, Krishna Mandal, Narayanpet district
End in Telangana: Vajinepally, MellaCheruvu Mandal, Suryapet district
Districts in Telangana: Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet
Tributaries of Krishna in Telangana

Left Bank:
Bhima River (Thangadigi, Krishna Mandal), Mandipalle Pedda Vagu (Mandipalle, Maganoor Mandal), Okacheti / Oragheti Vagu (Gurramgadda, Gadwal Mandal), Gowardhanagiri Vagu (Gummadam, Pebbair Mandal), Mallapaharani Vagu (Chellepahad, Chinambavi Mandal), Yerragattu Vagu (Bollaram, Kollapur Mandal), Kanet Vagu, Yemlapaya Vagu, Kampa Vagu, Chinnagundala Vagu, Bugga Vagu, Nalla Vagu, Purmaklakaya Vagu, Vadlavanchela Vagu, Nallamala Pedda Vagu, Pulibugga Vagu, Dindi River, Peddamunigal Pedda Vagu, Mattam Vagu (Jemmanakota, Tirumulagiri Sagar Mandal), Halia River (Chityala, Adavidevullapally Mandal), Tungapahad Vagu (Kothapalli, Damercherla Mandal), Musi River (Wadapalli, Damercherla Mandal), Vemuleru (Gundeboina Gudem, Palakeedu Mandal)

Right Bank:
Nalla Vagu (Nettampadu, Dharur Mandal), Pyata Vagu (Maramungala, Manopad Mandal), Ghantakaranna Vagu (Shalipur, Alampur Mandal), Tungabhadra River (Chagatur, Alampur Mandal)

Exit from Telangana: The Krishna River leaves Telangana at Vajinepally, MellaCheruvu Mandal, Suryapet district, flowing further into Andhra Pradesh where it receives tributaries like Antara Ganga Vagu, Paleru River, and Munneru River.



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