हिन्दी

Rivers of Uttarakhand and the Panch Prayag

The Alaknanda meets five rivers at five prayags and becomes the Ganga at Devprayag. Each origin below is taken from the official page that states it.

Panch Prayag

PrayagConfluenceDistrict
VishnuprayagAlaknanda + DhauligangaChamoli
NandprayagAlaknanda + NandakiniChamoli
KarnaprayagAlaknanda + PindarChamoli
RudraprayagAlaknanda + MandakiniRudraprayag
DevprayagAlaknanda + BhagirathiTehri Garhwal

Where the rivers begin

RiverOriginNote
GangaFormed at Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet
BhagirathiGaumukh (Gangotri glacier)205 km long; meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga (CWC).
YamunaYamunotri
MandakiniChorabari (Charabari) glacier, about 1 km above KedarnathJoins the Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
Dhauliganga (Chamoli)Niti Pass, about 5,070 mMeets the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag.
NandakiniSemudra glaciers, western slopes of TrishulJoins the Alaknanda at Nandprayag.
PindarMilam and Pindar glaciers (Nanda Devi group)Joins the Alaknanda at Karnaprayag.
RamgangaDoodhatoli ranges, Pauri Garhwal (about 3,100 m)
Kali (Sharda)Trans-Himalayan zone; forms the border with Nepal from Kalapani to Tanakpur, then called Sharda
Gori GangaGlaciers south of the Untadhura ridge and near MilamJoins the Kali at Jauljibi.

Official sources disagree on the Alaknanda's source glacier and length (Central Water Commission: 195 km), so it is not in the origin table. No official page stating the origin of the Kosi or Tons was found. Checked 22 September 2026.

What to remember for the exam

  • Upstream to downstream: Vishnuprayag (Dhauliganga), Nandprayag (Nandakini), Karnaprayag (Pindar), Rudraprayag (Mandakini), Devprayag (Bhagirathi).
  • At Devprayag the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga. The Bhagirathi begins at Gaumukh (Gangotri glacier).
  • The Mandakini starts at the Chorabari glacier, about 1 km above Kedarnath.
  • The Kali forms the border with Nepal from Kalapani to Tanakpur and is called the Sharda in the plains.

Every fact is taken from a government website and its source is listed. Where two official sources differ, both figures are shown.

Practise

10 questions generated from the verified data on this page. Every answer links to its official source.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Panch Prayag?

Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag, all on the Alaknanda.

Where does the Ganga begin?

At Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet (Central Water Commission).

Which rivers meet at Karnaprayag?

The Alaknanda and the Pindar.

Where does the Bhagirathi originate?

At Gaumukh (Gangotri glacier). The Central Water Commission gives its length as 205 km.

Where does the Mandakini join the Alaknanda?

At Rudraprayag.

Sources

  1. Alaknanda basin, Central Water Commission
  2. Bhagirathi basin, Central Water Commission
  3. Ramganga basin, Central Water Commission
  4. Chamoli: geography, District Chamoli
  5. Rudraprayag: river system, District Rudraprayag
  6. Pithoragarh: rivers, District Pithoragarh

Rules checked against these sources on 22 September 2026. Source links open in a new tab.

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