Rivers in Gujarat

The Banas in the north, originating in the Siranva hill in Sirohi in Rajasthan, flows by the foothills of Abu and disappears in the desert. The Saraswati takes its birth at Koteshvar near Ambaji, flows by Siddhpur and Patan and merges into the desert. The Sabarmati, one of the biggest rivers of north Gujarat, originates from the Dhebar lake in Rajasthan and flows towards the Gulf of Cambay. The Hathmati, Vatrak, Mazam, Meshvo, Shedhi, Khari and the other rivulets also join it. The three virgin rivers of the north and the Sabarmati with its tributaries are the daughters of the Aravalli ranges, while the Mahi and Narmada with their families originate from Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada, one of the biggest and holiest river along with the only tributary, Karjan, meets the sea, about 16 kms. from Broach. The Tapi takes its birth in the Satpura ranges near Betwa and enters Gujarat at Kakarapar. It flows around Surat and Rander and falls into the sea. The Mindhola, Purna, Ambika, Vanki, Auranga, Vapi, Par, Kolak and Damanganga are the rivers of south Gujarat, which originates in the Sahyadri. Most of the rivers of Saurashtra and Kutch dries up in the summer. The rivers which originate in the central Saurashtra in the Chotila range flow to the south into the desert of Kutch. Only the Aji, Machhu and Brahmani are northward flowing rivers. The rivers originating in the Girnar and Gir namely, the Ojhat, Kamb, Surekh, Somal, Sangwada, Hirani, Kapila and Saraswati flow into the sea. The Saraswati and Vastu are sacred rivers. Though Kutch has many rivers, they are small and do not have much water. The Khari flowing by Bhuj meets the desert and Magh and Tara empty their waters in the Gulf of Cambay. The Rudramata has been bunded for irrigation, providing the only irrigation project in Kutch.