Kaveri River - Sacred and Life-Giving Stream of South India
thedivineindia.com | Updated UTC time: 2024-08-23 03:53:42
Kaveri River is an important and sacred river of South India. It originates from Brahmagiri Hills of Western Ghats located in the southwestern part of Karnataka state and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. Kaveri River has a route of 475 miles (765 km) in which it flows in a south-easterly direction and descends from Eastern Ghats in the form of several large waterfalls. This river passes through many important places on its way from its origin to its confluence with the Bay of Bengal, and is also known as the largest river of Tamil Nadu state.
Geographical Extent
Kaveri River originates from Talakaveri located in the Brahmagiri mountain range of Western Ghats in Kodagu district of Karnataka state. This place is situated at an altitude of 1,341 meters above sea level. The river travels a distance of about 800 kilometers and merges with the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. After Godavari and Krishna, Kaveri is the third largest river in South India. The river flows through the state of Tamil Nadu dividing it into north and south, making it the most important water body of the state.
Religious and Cultural Importance
The Kaveri River is a sacred river for the people of South India and is worshipped as Goddess Kaveriamma (Mother Kaveri). It is considered one of the seven sacred rivers of India. According to religious Hindu beliefs, the water of the Kaveri River is considered holy and is used in various religious ceremonies and rituals. The river was also known as "Ponni" in ancient Tamil literature. The Kaveri River is famous for its beautiful scenery and sanctity in Tamil literature, and is also known as the "Ganges of the South".
Natural Beauty and Waterfalls
The course of the Kaveri River is full of natural beauty. Its upper course is winding, with rocky bottom and high banks surrounded by dense vegetation. At Krishnaraja Sagar in Karnataka state, the Kaveri River is joined by two major tributaries, Hemavati and Lakshmanatirtha. A large dam has been built here for irrigation, forming a 12-square-mile (31-square-km) reservoir.
In Karnataka state itself, the Kaveri River splits twice, forming the sacred islands of Srirangapatna and Shivasamudram, 50 miles (80 km) apart. There are beautiful waterfalls around Shivasamudram, including two streams called Bhara Chukki and Gagana Chukki, which drop a total of 320 feet (100 m). The falls reach a width of 1,000 feet (300 m) during the rainy season. The falls at Shivasamudram supply hydroelectric power to Mysore, Bangalore, and the Kolar Gold Fields, which are more than 100 miles (160 km) away.
Course of the Kaveri in Tamil Nadu
On entering Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri River passes through several winding forested valleys and reaches the Hogenakkal Falls. Near Salem, the river flows through a straight and narrow valley. The Mettur Dam, 5,300 feet (1,620 m) long and 176 feet (54 m) high, is located here, which creates a lake (Stanley Reservoir) of 60 square miles (155 sq km). The Mettur Project, completed in 1934, has played an important role in the agricultural and industrial development of Tamil Nadu.
Tributaries of the Kaveri and the Delta Region
The main tributaries of the Kaveri River include the Kabani, Amaravati, Noyyil, and Bhavani. After crossing a landmark rock at Tiruchirapalli, the Kaveri splits at Srirangam Island, a major pilgrimage center. From this place begins the meandering and extensively irrigated delta region of the river, called the "Garden of South India". This area is spread over about 4,000 square miles (10,360 sq km).
The Kaveri River has 29 major tributaries and its main tributaries include Harangi, Hemavati, Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Shimsha, Arkavati, Sarabanga, Bhavani, Noyyal, Thirumanimutharu, and the Amaravati.
Religious Legend and Significance
The religious legend of the Kaveri River is narrated in the Skanda Purana, which states that during the Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean), Mohini and Lopamudra extracted the nectar of immortality for the gods. After this, Brahma gave Lopamudra to King Kavera, who was childless. Lopamudra was renamed Kaveri and later, after his prayers, she was transformed into a holy river.
Thus, the Kaveri River is famous as the life-giving stream of South India, which is not only known for its natural beauty but also has immense religious and cultural significance.
Interesting facts about the Kaveri River:
- Origin: The Kaveri River originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri ranges in the Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka. It is located at an altitude of 1,341 meters above sea level.
- Length: The total length of the Kaveri River is about 800 kilometers (475 mi), making it one of the major rivers of South India.
- Religious significance: The Kaveri River is considered a holy river in Hinduism and is worshipped as Goddess Kaveriamma. It is considered one of the seven holy rivers of India.
- Waterfalls: There are many famous waterfalls along the course of the Kaveri River, of which Shivasamudram Falls is the most famous. These waterfalls flow as two streams—Bhara Chukki and Gagana Chukki—and present a very attractive view during the rainy season.
- Delta Region: In the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri River forms a wide delta, called the "Garden of South India". This delta is highly fertile for agriculture and rice is cultivated prominently here.
- Irrigation Projects: There are several major dams and irrigation projects on the Kaveri River, including the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam and the Mettur Dam. These dams play a vital role in agriculture and hydroelectric power generation in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Bifurcation: The Kaveri River splits twice in Karnataka, creating sacred islands such as Srirangapatna and Shivasamudram.
- Tributaries: The Kaveri River has 29 major tributaries, including Harangi, Hemavathi, Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani, and Amaravati.
- Ancient Name: The Kaveri River was known as "Ponni" in ancient Tamil literature.
- Confluence with the Bay of Bengal: The Kaveri River meets the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu.
These characteristics of the Kaveri River distinguish it as an important and sacred stream of South India.
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