Which river is known as the ‘Ganga of the South’?

Answer: Godavari

Are you wondering which river is known as the Ganga of the South? The answer is the river Godavari. This river is often called the Dakshin Ganga due to its cultural significance, immense length, and its relevance in South India’s economy and ecology. This artice explores key facts about the Godavari river, importance of Godavari river, and major damns and projects. Keep reading to learn more about it.

Facts About the Godavari River

The Godavari River is known as Dakshin Ganga (Ganga of the South). Here are some facts about the Godavari River that you may have never heard about.

1. The Godavari River originates from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
2. It is the second-longest river in India. It is spread across 1,465 kilometres.
3. The river flows through Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
4. The major tributaries include the Pranhita, Purna, and Manjira rivers.
5. The river holds an important place in Hinduism. For example, the Kumbh Mela- a major Hindu festival is held on its banks in Nashik.

The Godavari Delta

Which river is known as the Ganga of the South? It’s river Godavari. When the Godavari flows to the Bay of Bengal, it forms a vast and fertile delta. This delta is important for agriculture, particularly for crops like sugarcane and rice. Thus, the river earned its nickname-‘Rice Bowl of India’.

Importance of the Godavari for Biodiversity and Livelihoods

Which river is known as the ‘Ganga of the South’? It’s Godavari. The main reason for this is the significance of the river. The river supports a wide range of ecosystems (wetlands, agricultural lands, to forests). Moreover, it is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. For example, the Papikonda National Park in Andhra Pradesh. Millions rely on the river for irrigation, drinking water, fishing, and transportation.

Major Dams and Projects on the Godavari

To utilise the Godavari’s water effectively, several dams and irrigation projects have been built on the river. These projects/dams are as follows.

Project Name	Type	Purpose	Location
Polavaram Project	Multi-purpose dam	Irrigation, hydroelectricity, flood control	Andhra Pradesh
Sriram Sagar Dam	Reservoir and dam	Irrigation and drinking water supply	Telangana (Nizamabad district)
Dowleswaram Barrage	Regulating structure	Water diversion for delta irrigation	Near Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh

Now you know which river is known as the ‘Ganga of the South’. River Godavari is considered one of the most important rivers and the lifeline of India.

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