16 Top Rivers In Uttarakhand To Enjoy The Gorgeous Beauties In 2025
Uttarakhand is an abode of glistening rivers which flow from the imposing glaciers situated at the Himalayan peaks. Uttarakhand is a sacred land where two holy rivers, Ganga and Yamuna, flow through. But apart from these sacred rivers, the state is also a confluence point of many other rivers. These rivers in Uttarakhand are also a major irrigation and power generation source. So, if you’re planning a vacation to this majestic state, make a trip around these rivers and enjoy its silent serenity, and make a camp, boat, fish or raft across.
Best 16 Rivers In Uttarakhand 2025
Apart from being a nature’s paradise and an adventurer’s abode, these rivers in Uttarakhand seek out the better part of the state. Here is a snapshot of the rivers:
1. Ganga
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The Ganges river is considered as the holiest river according to the Hindu religion. This holy river body has its mention in many ancient relics, symbolising elements of divinity, spirituality, moksha and purity. Often considered as a life-giving river and goddess, the river Ganges. Emerging from the peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas, the river takes on a journey of 2,525 km while passing through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal and merges at the Bay of Bengal. It is also believed that a bath in the holy water or cremation and immersion of ashes at the ghats of the Ganges are sacred duties.
- Originates from: Gomukh in Uttarkashi
- Tributaries: Alaknanda and Bhagirathi
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2. Yamuna
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Yamuna is another holy river in the hindu mythology resting at an altitude of 6,315 metres. Flowing from below the peak of Kalindi Parbat, the melted glacier settles at the Saptarishi kund, where the journey of the river starts. The Yamuna river passes through Uttarakhand, Haryana, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, where the river merges with the Ganga at the Triveni Sangam. The literal meaning of “Triveni Sangam” is the confluence of three rivers i.e., Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. This river is the longest river in Uttarakhand, which stretches to 1,376 Kms until it joins the river Ganga.
- Originates from: Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand
- Tributaries: Tons River, Ken River, Hindon River, Sasur Khaderi River
3. Alaknanda
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The Alaknanda River is considered one of the most critical water bodies that form the Ganges. It is one of the two major headstreams to form the Ganga, the other being the Bhagirathi River. It emerges from the confluence of Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers and merges with the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag. Don’t forget to visit the Nandaprayag, which is the Panch Prayag of the Alaknanda river. Alaknanda is not only considered a major source of irrigation and power generation, but also holds a major role in mythologies. Apart from this, its high currents and gushing water make it a perfect spot for various adventurous water sports.
- Originates from: Satopanth Glacier
- Tributaries: Mandakini, Nandakini, Pindar
Related Post: Places To Visit In Devprayag
4. Bhagirathi
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Bhagirathi River emerges from Gaumukh, situated at the base of the Gangotri glacier trek in Uttarakhand. This river is one of the two main headstreams of the Ganga, along with the Alaknanda river. Although the Alaknanda river is longer than Bhagirathi, according to mythology, Bhagirathi is considered the main source of the Ganga. The river commences a distance of 205 km and joined by small rivers and streams through its course. The Alaknanda river and the Bhagirathi river merge together at Devprayag, located at a height of 475 metres above the sea level, making it one of the holiest rivers in Uttarakhand. This confluence point is considered a very holy place as the Ganga becomes complete and starts its course here.
- Originates from: Gaumukh Glacier at the foot of the Gangotri glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas
- Tributaries: Kedar Ganga, Jadh Ganga, Kakora Gad, Bhilangana
5. Ramganga
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Originating from the lower Himalayas of Garhwal, the Ramganga river starts its course from a height of 3,110 meters near the Lohba village. The river flows down through a mountainous terrain and while covering its course it forms many falls and rapids. The Ramganga river is 155 km long and flows from the southwest towards the Kumaon Himalayas. This is also one of the most popular Uttarakhand rivers that you must visit during your travels. The river passes through Jim Corbett National Park and descends to the plains.
- Originates from: Southern slopes of Dudhatoli Hill in Chamoli district
- Tributaries: Gangan, Kho, Kosi, Deoha and Aril
Related Post: Jim Corbett National Park
6. Kali
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River Kali emerges from the Trans-Himalayan zone of the Greater Himalayas, situated at a height of 3,600 metres. Also called Mahakali, Kali Ganga, and Sharda, this river flows from Kalapaani to Tanakpur and forms a liquid border between India and Nepal. The Dhauliganga merges with the Kali river at Tawaghat, located in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. This river creates an adventurous opportunity for people who want to experience whitewater rafting at high rapids.
- Originates from: Kalapani in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand
- Tributaries: Sharda river
7. Bhilangna River
Image Credit: Yogendra Singh Negi for Wikimedia
The Bhilangna River is a tributary of the Bhagirathi River, one of Uttarakhand’s major rivers. The river rises at the foot of the Khatling Glacier, and the popular Khatling trek route follows its side for a major part. The major towns that the river nourishes are Ghuttu, Biroda, Kalyani, Bhelbahi, Ghonti, etc. The river flows into Bhagirathi at old Tehri, where the Tehri Dam has been built.
- Originates from: Khatling Glacier
- Tributaries: Bal Ganga
Related Post: Camping In Uttarakhand
8. Saraswati River
Image Credits: Karunamay Mukhopadhyay for Wikimedia Commons
Don’t be surprised by the name if you are confused by the Sarasvati river (now lost). Even we are as surprised as you are. The Saraswati river does exist but gets sort of ‘lost in translation’. It is a tributary of the Alaknanda river and joins it in Keshav Prayag near Mana village in Uttarakhand. A natural stone bridge called “Bhim Pul” is lying across the river and eventually descends into a passage towards Satopanth lake and Vasundhara falls.
- Originates from: the higher Himalayas and flowed through the western Indo-Gangetic plains
- Tributaries: None
9. Gaula River
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The Gaula is a small Himalayan river that runs for 103 km. It is a tributary of the Ramganga, which is itself a tributary of the Ganga. The river’s source is at Sattal lakes near Paharpani, while its endpoint is Kichchha. The major towns that the river passes through include Kathgodam, Shahi, and Haldwani. This is also one of the most visited Uttarakhand rivers for visitors planning camping.
- Originates from: Paharpani village of Uttarakhand state
- Tributaries: None
Related Post: Lakes In Uttarakhand
10. Gori Ganga River
Gori Ganga is a river located in the Munsiyari tehsil of Pithoragarh. It starts from the Milam Glacier and runs for 104 km to eventually meet the Kali River in Jauljibi. The river valley has some popular trekking routes to Nanda Devi National Park, Trishuli, Panchauli, and Nanda Kot. The river also flows through the mighty mountains of Rajramba and Chaudhara.
- Originates from: the Milam glacier
- Tributaries: None
11. Kosi River
Image Credits: Rajarshi Mitra For Wikimedia Commons
Kosi is one of the major rivers of Uttarakhand. It starts from the Himalayas at Dharpani Dhar and eventually joins the parallel Ramganga river in Uttar Pradesh. With a length of 170 km, the river passes through the eastern front of the famous Jim Corbett National Park, which acts as a water source for wildlife. The river also passes through the towns of Ramnagar, Betal Ghat, Bujan, and Amdana, providing water for irrigation.
- Originates from: China and Nepal
- Tributaries: None
Related Post: Uttarakhand Cuisine
12. Mandakini River
Image Credit: V Nataraj for Wikipedia
The Mandakini River is another major Himalayan river running for only around 72 km, with Grade V waters for a major portion of it. It passes through some of the holiest places in Uttarakhand, including Sonprayag, Ukhimath, Kedarnath, and Rudraprayag. The river’s flow makes it one of Uttarakhand’s greatest kayaking and river rafting spots.
- Originates from: Chorabari Glacier
- Tributaries: Vasukiganga, Kaliganga, Madhyamaheshwar Ganga
Related Post: River Rafting In Uttarakhand
13. Nandakini River
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The mighty Nandakini river originates from the Nanda Ghunghati glacier near the Nanda Devi National Park. It runs for 56 km and finally exits at Nandprayag, one of the Panch Prayag, where it meets the holy Alaknanda river. This is also one of the most popular trekking places in Uttarakhand.
- Originates from: glaciers below the Nanda Ghunti mountain in the Lesser Himalayas
- Tributaries: None
14. Pindari River
Image Credit:Yann for Wikimedia Commons
The Pindari River is a major Himalayan river that originates from the Pindari glaciers, one of the major and difficult locations for trekking in Uttarakhand. Running for about 105 km, the river crosses many tiny hamlets like Nauti, Bhagoli, Kulsari, and Tharli. Like the Nandakini river, the Pindar river also meets the Alaknanda river at one of the Panch Prayags at Karnaprayag.
- Originates from: Pindari Glacier in the Bageshwar district of the Kumaon region
- Tributaries: Kali Ganga
Related Post: Trekking In Uttarakhand
15. Saryu River
Image Credit: ArmouredCyborg for Wikimedia Commons
The Kumaon region gives rise to many rivers. Saryu is one of the main rivers in Uttarakhand from the Kumaon region. It starts from Sarmool and flows for 145 km, eventually ending at Pancheshwar. The Sup, Ghati, and Bhuni ghats are some of the most famous along the river bank. The river flows through the enchanting Malla Katyur valley and joins with multiple big and small tributaries.
- Originates from: Sarmul
- Tributaries: Lahur, Gomti, Jalaurgad, Alaknandi, Panar
16. Tons River
Image Credit: Shivanjan for Wikimedia Commons
The Ganges is a major perennial river that flows mostly through the Garhwal Himalayas and also through parts of Himachal Pradesh. It carries a lot of water when it meets the Yamuna river at Kalsi in the Doon valley. The source of the river is at the Rupin-Supin Glacier. Running for around 148 km, it is the longest tributary of Yamuna. Enjoy a multitude of adventure activities like rafting, body surfing, and kayaking at the Tons. This is also one of the most amazing places in Uttarakhand.
- Originates from: Bandarpunch Mountain in Uttarakhand
- Tributaries: Pabbar, Asan
You May Also Like To Read: Valleys In Uttarakhand
Surprised enough? These rivers in Uttarakhand are a symbol of life and nature’s beauty. If you’re planning a vacation to this state anytime soon, make sure to go on a spree and explore one of these or all of them while on your vacation. But before don’t forget to customize your trip to Uttarakhand as per your needs and travel requirements for a joyful gateway with your loved ones.
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Cover Image Credit: Yann for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Rivers In Uttarakhand
What are the Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand?
Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag are one of the Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand.
Which rivers are important for adventure sports in Uttarakhand?
For adventure sports, particularly river rafting, the Ganga (at Rishikesh) and Alaknanda rivers in Uttarakhand are prominent.
How many rivers are there in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand has numerous rivers and a home of rivers with more than 40 major rivers flowing through the state including Ganges, Yamuna, Alaknanda.
Which is the longest river in Uttarakhand?
The Alaknanda River is the longest river in Uttarakhand which is also the major source of the river Ganges.
Which dam is situated in Uttarakhand?
The Haripura dam is situated in Uttarakhand which is an earthen embankment built on the Bhakra river in Udham Singh Nagar district.
In which state is the river Ramganga situated?
The Ramganga is located in Uttarakhand which originates from Doodhatoli ranges in the district of Pauri Garhwal.
What is Uttarakhand famous for?
Uttarakhand is famous for mountains, rivers and scenic views. There are many places in Uttarakhand that make it a good option for a blissful vacation.
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A mass-media graduate, Priyanka is a passionate writer and an avid traveler. Whether it’s about capturing the sunsets or hogging up some delicious food from different places, she never leaves a second to decide. Her mantra of keep going is “work, save, travel, repeat” which she lives by heart.
