Indian Rivers and Waterways

Pandharpur, a major pilgrimage site in Maharashtra, is located on the banks of the Bhima River. The river is also known as 'Chandrabhaga' here due to its crescent shape.

The Ganga (Ganges) is the longest river entirely within India, flowing approximately 2,525 km from its source in the Gangotri Glacier to the Bay of Bengal. While the Brahmaputra is longer overall, much of its course lies outside India in Tibet and Bangladesh. The Godavari is the longest peninsular river but shorter than the Ganga. Option D 'Andhra Pradesh' is incorrectly listed as a river name.

The Kaveri River descends over a cliff at Shivanasamudra to form the famous twin waterfalls - Bhar Chukki and Gagana Chukki Falls. These falls are located in Karnataka and are among the most well-known waterfalls in South India. The Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers also have waterfalls, but not these specific ones.

The Mahanadi River originates in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh (formerly part of Madhya Pradesh before Chhattisgarh became a separate state in 2000). While it is primarily associated with Odisha (Orissa) where it forms a major delta, its source lies in the northern highlands of the Eastern Ghats in what was historically Madhya Pradesh.

The Yamuna River joins the Ganga at Prayag (modern-day Allahabad/Prayagraj), forming the sacred Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers). This confluence is one of the holiest sites in Hinduism and hosts the Kumbh Mela festival. The Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are major peninsular rivers that flow independently into the Bay of Bengal.

The Kaveri river is traditionally known as the 'Dakshina Ganga' or 'Southern Ganga' due to its sacred status in South India. It holds immense religious importance, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, comparable to the Ganges in North India. The river flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Ganga is believed to have descended from heaven and is considered the daughter of Himavat (the personification of the Himalayas) in Hindu mythology. The legend says she was brought down to Earth through the intense prayers of Bhagiratha. This mythological connection explains why the Ganges is considered the most sacred river in Hinduism.

The Tungabhadra River is formed by the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers in Karnataka and is a major tributary of the Krishna River. It joins the Krishna near Sangameshwaram in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The river has historical significance as it flows through the Vijayanagara empire's capital at Hampi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pandharpur, home to the famous Vitthala temple, is located on the banks of the Bhima River in Maharashtra. The Bhima is a major tributary of the Krishna River. Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage site, especially for devotees of Lord Vitthala (Krishna), and hosts the annual Ashadi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi pilgrimages.

The Ganges is the longest river flowing entirely within India, measuring over 2,500 kilometers. While the Brahmaputra is longer overall, a larger portion of its course lies outside India.

Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo and sits on the Congo River. The river forms the border between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Sabari river is a tributary of the Godavari river in India. It flows through the states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh before joining the Godavari. The Godavari is one of India's major peninsular rivers.

Chambal is a north-flowing river that originates in Madhya Pradesh and joins the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. Among the options, Mahanadi and Periyar flow east, while Sabarmati flows west. Chambal's northward trajectory makes it the correct answer.

The Ganga forms a famous estuary known as the Sundarbans, where it meets the Bay of Bengal. An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean. While other major Indian rivers like Kaveri, Krishna, and Narmada also have deltas or mouths, the Ganga-Brahmaputra estuary system is the most significant and well-known.

The Ganga (Ganges) is considered India's national river, though this designation stems from a 2009 government announcement rather than a constitutional declaration. The Ganga holds sacred status in Hinduism and is central to Indian civilization.