7 Most Sacred Rivers of India

There cannot be a better way to start this list than talking about the Ganga sacred river of India. The Vedas and Puranas mention the Ganga as a goddess, originating from Lord Shiva’s head. The Ganga starts its journey from the Himalayas, making its way through cities like Uttrakhand, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, before finally flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

The banks of the Ganga inhabit several cities, with Varanasi being the oldest and most popular one. The city is home to several ghats and temples, attracting tourists from around the world. Devotees believe that a bath in the holy waters of the Ganges can wash away the sins. The Ganga sacred river of India is also the longest in the country, with an approximate length of 2,510 kilometres.

Rising from the Yamunotri in the Himalayas, Yamuna is a sacred river of North India. According to Hindu legends, Yamuna is considered a goddess, the twin sister of the god of death, Yama. Talking about its trajectory, the river passes through Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi before merging with the Ganga at the Triveni Sangam.

The site where these two holy rivers meet is the same place where the magnificent Kumbh Mela is held. Gokul, Mathura, and Prayagraj are some of the holy places situated on the banks of Yamuna. That’s not it! The symbol of love, the Taj Mahal also sits on the bank of the sacred river of India in the state of Agra.

Kaveri (or Cauvery) is a holy river of South India originating from the Brahmagiri Hills in the Western Ghats. It travels across the major parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, making its way towards the Bay of Bengal. The Shivasamudram falls of Kaveri River is one of the biggest and most pristine waterfalls in the country, beckoning tourists from far and wide.

That was all about the journey of the Kaveri river, but what about its religious significance? In Hinduism, this sacred river of India is recognised as Dakshina Ganga (the Ganga of Southern India) emphasising its holiness. Many believe that a dip in the river washes away the sins committed by a person in a lifetime. Needless to say, the bountiful natural beauty surrounding the river adds to its majestic beauty throughout its course.

This sacred river of India has found its mention in various ancient Indian texts. As far popular beliefs go, the river descended from the sky on Lord Shiva’s orders. Devotees worship the river and take a bath to free their souls from the sins and attain salvation. According to Hinduism followers, the Narmada river is also considered the giver of peace.

Besides the religious significance, the river's journey is fascinating as well! It originates from Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, flowing throughout central India. The sacred river in India flows towards the west, merging into the Arabian Sea at a point called Bharonch. With an approximate length of 1,312 kilometres, it is one of the longest rivers in the country. For those who did not already know, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is built over the Narmada river as well.

Kshipra or the Shipra is a sacred river in India with the religious city of Ujjain situated on its bank. The city is known for being the site of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Furthermore, the Kumbh Mela is hosted here every 12 years, attracting millions of tourists from across the globe. People take a dip in the holy waters of Kshipra as it is one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism.

And about the route, the Kshipra river rises in the Vindhya Range of Kakri Bardi hills and then continues north crossing the Malwa Plateau towards its final destination, Chambal river. There are numerous Hindu shrines along the banks of this river, attracting pilgrims for an unforgettable spiritual and religious experience.

Next on the list is the Godavari river! This sacred river is one of the longest rivers in the country. Originating from the Brahmagiri Mountain Trimbakeshwar (Nashik), it flows towards the Eastern Ghats and drains into the Bay of Bengal. The river makes its way through states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chattisgarh and Odisha.

What else? The holiest thing about the river is the iconic Kumbh Mela at Nashik. As an important pilgrimage centre, it draws devotees in large numbers. Besides this, some of the most sacred places in India lie on the banks of Godavari. No wonder why it is recognised as one of the religiously significant rivers.

And finally, let’s talk about one of the most important rivers from the Vedic era, the Saraswati river. Some ancient scriptures and texts recognise it as a sacred river of North India since the Vedic and post-Vedic periods.

The Triveni Sangam is the site where the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati confluence. The place is sacred for Hindu devotees as they believe the holy waters can ward off their sins.

Bestowed with religious and historical significance, the sacred rivers in India are epic pilgrimage centres. A visit to the banks or a dip in the holy rivers of North India will rejuvenate your mind and soul.