ABOUT INDIAN RIVIRS

Ganges River
The Ganges has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga. Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges. Background: The river known as the Ganges is officially and popularly known by its Hindu name, Ganga. The river Ganges is very sacred to the Hindus. The river has its source in the Himalayas, at Gaumakh in the southern Himalayas on the Indian side of the Tibetan border. It is 1 560 miles (2 510 km) long and flows through China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Ganges river basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated in the world and covers an area of 400 000 sq miles (1 000 000 sq km). The river flows through 29 cities with population over 100,000, 23 cities with population between 50,000 and 100,000, and about 48 towns. Ganga in The Hindu Myth: According to Hindu mythology, Ganga flowed in the heavens but then was ordered to go down to earth. Fearing that her forceful descent might wash away the earth, the gods sought the help of Shiva. Shiva broke the fall of Ganga-Ganges by capturing her in his mighty locks. Since then, Ganga-Ganges resides on top of Shiva's head as his second wife, the first being Parvati.

Religious Significance: Hindus regard the Ganges as the holiest of rivers. It was named after the goddess Ganga, the daughter of the mountain god Himalaya. Pilgrimage sites are particularly significant along the river. At the confluence of the Ganges and and the Tamuna tributory near Allahabad a bathing festival in January and February attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. Other holy pilgrimage sites along the river include Haridwar, the place where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas, and Allahabad, where the mythical Saraswati river is believed to enter the Ganges. It is believed that bathing in Ganga washes away one's sins and the water cleanses you of all the evil. The Ganges water is considered to be holy and Hindus cast the ashes of their dead in the river in the belief that this will guide the souls of the deceased straight to paradise.

Cleaning The Ganges:Along with the glory of Ganga, comes the pollution as well. The pious river has become an agent of the worst waterborn diseases like dysentery, hepatits, and cholera. Money is being raised by the government and other groups such as the Swatcha Ganga to clean the Ganges. The Ganga Action Plan was also initiated with the objective of purifying the holy river. None the less, the Ganges is still the purifying waters for the Hindus of India.
Brahamputra River
Background: Brahmaputra is the biggest of the Indian rivers, even bigger than the Ganga. Brahmaputra is regarded as one of the great rivers of southern Asia (1,800 mi) long. In Sanskrit, it means "son of Brahma". The Journey: The Brahmaputra River flows 2,900 km from its source in the Kailas range of the Himalayas to its massive delta and the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. It flows through China, India, and Bangladesh, but its watershed includes Nepal, Bhutan, and Burma as well.The river drops steeply from high on the Tibetan Plateau through the world's deepest valley (5,075m) into northeast India where the river eventually merges with the Ganges and Meghna rivers to form the largest river delta in the world (60,000km2). The plains watered by the stream yield abundant crops of rice, jute, and mustard.

Legend Behind Brahmaputra:In the ancient Indian tradition, two rivers are known to originate from Manasarovar Lake, in Mt. Kailas; one flowing to the east is called Brahmaputra and the other flowing to the west was called Shatadru, a tributary of the Sarasvati (joining the latter at Shatrana, Punjab) in Rigvedic times. Both these major rivers, Brahmaputra and Sarasvati are related to the God of creation, Brahma. The lower portion of the river is sacred to Hindus.Overview:The river's three names, the Brahmaputra (India), Yarlung Zangbo (Tibet), and Jamuna (Bangladesh), reflect the social fabric of ethnic groups and international communities living along its banks. The river is considered to be a symbol of synthesis of people of all religions, castes and creeds.

The river Brahmaputra drains a vast area of nearly 9,36,800 sq. kms. It is a river of immense importance and navigable from the Bay of Bengal to Assam, a distance of nearly 1,280 kms. It is a splendid waterway for commerce and travel.

The Course:After entering the hills of Assam Brahmaputra flows to Guwahati. Here lies a very ancient place of pilgrimage, the temple of goddess Kamakhya on a hill. The river then passes through Umananda Bhairab, with its granite foundations rising from the lap of the river. The river then reaches Pandughat, close to which lies the hill station of Shillong. The river flows through various towns til it reaches Goalundo. It is here that the river Ganga joins it to form the river Padma.The river then flows towards Calcutta and then finally empties itself in the Bay of Bengal.
Narmada River
Narmada undoubtedly is India's most breathtakingly beautiful river. She is also the most feminine in her movements, as she slithers through thousands of kilometers of hostile terrain.Mythological overview: The river Narmada descended from the sky as by the order of Lord Shiva. The origin is situated at the mountain series of 'Maikal'in Madhya Pradesh. Believed to have originated from the body of Shiva, the river is also known as Jata Shankari. The worship of Shiva is common in these areas, and each stone or pebble found in the bed of the Narmada is believed to be a Shivalinga. All the places along the banks like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Mahadeo are all named after Shiva. Among the sacred rivers Narmada holds a significant place. The river is considered the mother and giver of peace. The Course: It rises on the summit of Amarkantak Hill in the Madhya Pradesh state, and for the first 200 m of its course winds among the Mandla Hills, which form the head of the Satpura range; then at Jabalpur, passing through the 'Marble Rocks', it enters its proper valley between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges, and pursues a direct westerly course to the Gulf of Khambhat. Its total course through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat and it amounts to about 800 m, and it falls into the sea in the Bharuch district of Gujarat. It flows between high mountain ranges, through thick jungles and narrow gorges. It has many waterfalls along its length and at one place, its waters cut through marble rocks, sandstone hills and coal deposits.

Kaveri River
Background: The Kaveri river is the smallest of the five major rivers of the Indian peninsula, the others being the Mahanadi, Godavari, Narmada, and Krishna. However, it forms perhaps the most important watershed of the South.Known as "Dakshin Ganga" (the Ganges of the South), it serves as a lifeline to the people of Southern Karnataka, and the Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu. Legendry Saga: According to mythology, There was a childless king named Kaverna and Brahma gifted him a beautiful girl Kaveri. She was married to Agastya muni on the condition that he would never leave her alone. One day, Agastya muni began teaching his disciples a difficult lesson in philosophy. Assuming that something unfortunate had happened to him and not wanting to live alone she jumped into a tank. But she did not die. She became a river, flowed up the Brahmagiri Mountain and reappeared as a spring.
The Journey: The River Kaveri flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Its source is a spring in the Brahmagiri Mountains in Mysore at a height of 1320 metres above sea level. The Kaveri is not the same throughput its length of 765 kilometres. As the Kaveri flows down the Brahmagiri mountain and enters the plain, two small rivers, the Kanaka and the Gajoti, join it.They meey at the town of Bahamandalam till here it is a small river. two more rivers, Hemavati and Lakshman Theertham join it, that it becomes a large river, broad and deep. It is here that the water of the three rivers is collected in the Krishnaraj Sagar reservoir, on the banks of which is laid one of the most beautiful gardens of Mysore - Brindavan.

In Spotlight- 'Flood of the Eighteenth' This river runs through some of the richest south Indian lands, watering the fields and blessing the people on its course.The people of Tamil Nadu celebrate the flood in the in a special way with a festival. This festival is called the 'Flood of the Eighteenth'. On the eighteenth day of the month of Aadi (July-August), people come to worship the river. They light special lamps and express their gratitude by throwing offerings of fruits, sweetmeats and flowers. It is a day of rejoicing for the people as they thank the river goddess for her blessings and prosperity.

Battle of Water:The Kaveri river is the locus of a water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. That dispute is complicated by political issues of resentment and one-up-manship between the people of the two states. The past two decades have seen increasing friction between the two states.

Yamuna River
"Simply by bathing in the Yamuna, anyone can diminish the reactions of his sinful activities." (Krishna Book, Chap 38) Origin:The holy Yamuna River begins from Yamunotri, which is north of Haridwar in the Himalayas Mountains. Yamunotri, which is north of Haridwar in the Himalayas Mountains . Technically the source of the Yamuna is Saptarishi Kund, a glacial lake. Mythological History: According to legend, the Yamuna is the daughter of Surya and Sharanyu and the twin sister of yama, the god of Death. It is said that Sharanyu, unable to bear the lustre of the quivering Surya, closed her eyes upon which he cursed her. It was then that Yamuna was born. The Yamuna is thus also known as the quivering river. Dip in the Yamuna: Yamuna is considered more pious than Ganga because it was here that Krishna played and swam. One who takes bath in the river Yamuna is freed from all past sins and contamination of this material world. That person will also gradually become a pure devotee and achieve liberation

Its Journey: The river Yamuna, a major tributary of river Ganges, originates from the Yamunotri glacier near Banderpoonch peaks (38o 59' N 78o 27' E) in the Mussourie at an elevation of about 6387 meters above mean sea level in district Uttarkashi (Uttranchal). It flows through a number of important towns, Delhi, Mathura-Brindaban, and Agra to name some. Since ancient times, the Doab region, where the Ganga and the Yamuna flow, has been considered one of the most fertile areas in the subcontinent. The Tons, largest tributary of the Yamuna, has some magical spots in it's upper reaches. Forests of Alder and Blue pine lead to the famous Har-ki-Dun catchment area, source of another tributary, the Rupin.

Dump Ground For Pollution:Today however, this majestic river is polluted with domestic waste, silt, and industrial waste. The 22-km stretch between Wazirabad and the Okhla barrage in Delhi is only 2% of the catchment area, but it contributes about 80% of the river's total pollution load. The Hindon Canal also discharges waste from Uttar Pradesh in this stretch. Among the many casualties are birds and fish. There was a time when bird watchers had identified as many as 30 species of birds near the Yamuna, many of them exotic, such as the red-crested pochard and the godwit.

Yamuna Action Plan(Yap):In recent years the river has become grossly polluted due to various causes affecting human health and bio-diversity of the eco-system. One of the main causes of pollution of the river is discharge of untreated domestic wastewater and other wastes into the river from the towns located along its banks. To arrest river pollution, certain measures of cleaning river have been taken by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, of the Government of India
Sangam River
Sacred Sangam: Sangam is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. At the Sangam, the waters of the Ganges and the Yamuna can be distinctly seen to merge into one. At Allahabad, the meeting point of the rivers is believed to have great soul cleansing powers and is a major pilgrimage site. It is even more holy because the invisible Saraswati river is supposed to the join the Ganga and Yamuna at this point.Legendry Saga: According to mythology, the gods and demons once churned the oceans to retrieve a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality - amrit -- after which a struggle ensued between the two to wrest control of this pitcher. It is said that during the scuffle, a few drops of amrit were spilled at places, making them hallowed and sacred. The waters at the Sangam are believed to have received the amrit too and a dip in these holy waters during the Kumbh is believed to cleanse and purify the soul.
Religious Importance: Brahma is said to have called this spot Tirth Raj, or 'King of Pilgrimage sites'. The holy confluence draws pilgrims at all times, specially during the Kumbh Mela time when loyal pilgrims gather here to offer their penances and seek blessings.It is believed that it is at the Sangam, that a few drops of the nectar 'Amrit Bindu' fell making its waters truly spiritual and replete with soul-cleansing powers.

Festival Highlight:During the month of Magha (Mid Jan to Mid Feb) hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come to the bath at this holy confluence for the festival known as Magh Mela.

The most propitious time of all happens every 12 years when the massive Kumbh Mela takes place. At this time the Sangam truly comes alive and attracts the devout/tourists from all over the world. Millions of devotees bathe ritually in the waters to break the eternal cycle of reincarnation.
GODAVRI
Godavri There are seven main/ sacred rivers in India – Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada and Kaveri. All of them have their own significance. But there is one thing which is common to all - they all come from the melted Ice of Himalayas.In a Religious Country like India, the water of Rivers is not only used for irrigation purposes, but they are also revered as Goddesses. They are often prayed, fasts are kept to keep them happy and temples are built in their respect. There are also a number of festivals held in their respect. Various religious and cultural festivals are held on the banks of rivers and people feel blessed by taking a dip in the holy waters of these rivers. Godavri, out of all the seven rivers have a special significance.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Trimbak in Nasik of Maharashtra
· Compliance : Comes under the Seven River of Sindhus (Indus Valley Civilization)
· Place of Pilgrimage : Trimbakeshwar, Nasik, Nanded, Basar

Godavri RiverGodavri also known as Dakshina Ganga, is the longest river of South India. Godavri means the river which has the largest flow of water. As per the legend – the river was brought down to earth by Sage Gautama to expiate the sin of Killing a Cow. Lord Shiva was too happy to give some of his Jata/hair containing water. When the Sage Gautama sprinkled this water along with the Godavari water on the dead cow, she came alive, gave blessings to the Sage and disappeared. To this day Godavari is called as the birth giver of Cows. For the same reason, it is called as Goda or Godavari. It is believed that the water of Godavari when drank gives off spring to childless mothers.Originating from Arabian Sea and ending towards Bay Of Bengal, Godavri is supposed to be divided into seven small rivers named after seven sages before it merges into the sea. The Seven Sage are Kasyapa, Atri, Gautama, Bhaaradwaja, Viswamitra, Jamdagni and Vashishtha. All the devotees of Godavri take a dip in all these rivers to complete one cycle of Pilgrime. If any one of the seven rivers are left out, the pilgrim is supposed to be incomplete. One of the major Pilgrimage of River Godavri is the Trymbak Village in Nasik of Maharashtra. Tribmbekashwar, Jyotirlinga, Panchwati, Rajahmundri, Bhadrachalam, Nanded and Kotapalli are the sacred places and cities situated on the banks of Godavari.With a drainage area of 313,000 sq kms in seven states – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Orissa it has Sabari, Indravati, Pranahita and Manijra river s as it main contributors.Savour of Ailments : Drinking the water of Godavri river is supposed to cure major diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, blood pressure. It is also supposed to be good in treating stomach related ailments like digestion and gastric problems.


Suggestions
· Places of Pilgrims especially Sacred Rivers of India are filled with Sages/Sadhus, beggars and all class of people. People mostly come here for the purpose of going to a Pilgrime rather than an excursion. So maintain the decorum of a Pilgrim.
· Nicely clad cotton clothes with wraps are preffered and admired in these places. Do not wear short clothes as they may attract discripencies.
· River banks are a favorite place of Astrologers and Street Hawkers. Try ti be away from them as much as possible. However if you wish to seek some advice from these astrologers or buy from Hawkers, keep an strict eye on your belongings. Your belongings are your responsibility and nobody else's.
· NON – VEGETARIAN IS STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED IN SUCH SACRED PLACES. Be prepared to eat totally vegetarian, typically Indian and greasy (heavily loaded with ghee and oil) food. Sweets are a must have s in such places.
· Book your hotel much earlier as in the festive season, there is no way you will find a hotel here. Even if find one in festive season, be ready to pay exhobirant price.
· For you own good, go to such places either in a group or at least two people should be there. Avoid travelling alone.
· Keep your passport, travel cards, travelers cheques, along with you. Don't give it to anyone else.
· Take a guided tour, contact us for the same.

Krishna River
KrishnaKrishnaveni or River Krishna meaning dark in Sanskrit, is one of the largest and longest Rivers of India. Originating in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1300 ft above the sea level in Mahabaleshwar it ends at Bay of Bengal.Flowing through the three states Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh it covers an approximate area of 1300 kms. In India, the river waters are transparent, light, stimulating, light , appetizing and sweet. They are dranked, prayed, poured and used for various purposes. However the properties of river waters differ according to the areas in which they flow. The waters of the rivers nearing the sands and stone are pure; those coming from Himalayas are sweet as nectar; those flowing east from the Vindhyas are supposed to produce rheumatism, those flowing towards are supposed to cure phlegm; those flowing though north cure digestive problems and those flowing towards west tend to excite bile.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Western Ghats of Mahabaleshwar
· Compliance : Comes Under Sangameshwar
· Place of Pilgrimage : Audumber and Narsobawadi near Sangli of Maharashtra
Krishna RiverJust opposite to the name, River Krishna is supposed to be one of the most ferious rivers of India. Contributing to its feriousness is the River Tungbhadra, which is supposed to be full of high tides. The Krishna River becomes ferious especially between the months of June and August. Other Rivers which contribute to the feriousness are Koyna, Bhima, Kundali, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Yelra, Warna, Dindi, Musi, and Dudhganga River. The River Krishna comes out of a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Mahabaleshwar. As per the legend Krisha River is the Avtar of Lord Vishnu. This condition of Lord Vishnu is because of curse of Savitri whom he enchantised by transforming himself as her husband. The two rivers Veena and Koyana are supposed to be Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The four other rivers, viz: Koyana, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri, come out from the bull's mouth apart from Krishna and they all travel some distance before merging into Krishna.

Savour of Ailments – Most of the soil found around the banks of Krishna River are black soils, red soils, laterite and lateritic soils, alluvium, mixed soils, red and black soils and saline and alkaline soils. Out of these the black soil is especially used in various Ayurvedic Medications to treat various skin diseases.

Suggestions
· Wether you are on a Pilgrimage to India or as a tourist, if you are visiting any of the banks of Sacred rivers of India, be clad in fully covered clothes. Avoid dark and attractive colors. Be as simple as possible.
· NON – VEGETARIAN Food is strictly prohibited in Indian Pilgrims. Do not ask for it.
· River banks are a favorite place of Astrologers and Street Hawkers. Try ti be away from them as much as possible. However if you wish to seek some advice from these astrologers or buy from Hawkers, keep an strict eye on your belongings. Your belongings are your responsibility and nobody else's.
· Keep your passport, travelers cheque, currency along with you; its your responsibility. Don't give it to anyone.
· Convert your currency only from Standard Banks or Government Banks. Do not rely on strangers.
· For you own good, go to such places either in a group or at least two people should be there. Avoid travelling alone.
· For any other information contact us.



Mahanadi River
MahanadiMahananadi river is the river which is the life line of Chattisgarh. Flowing from the Eastern Ghats to the Bay of Bengal through Cuttack, in the eastern Orissa State. Rising from the highlands of Chattisgarh, it flows through Orissa to reach The Bay Of Bengal.Like all other rivers, the Mahanadi too is revered one. It plays a major role in peoples life and is part of all the major religious functions and festivals. The water of Mahananadi is considered to be auspicious for any occasion - be it good or bad. It is thought that the water of Mahananadi has the power of converting bad into good.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Highlands of Chattisgarh
· Compliance : Doesn't come under any of the Compliance
· Place of Pilgrimage : None
Mahanadi RiverMahanadi River is about 885 kms long, running through Central India. Rising from Central Chattisgarh, it passes through Eastern Ghats Mountains and ends at Bay Of Bengal, near Cuttack, Orissa. It forms a Delta at the Bay of Bengal. The Mahanadi's catchment area is estimated at 113,440 square kilometers. In the rainy season it carries an immense amount of water, up to 51,000 cubic meters per second especially at at the Naraj gorge.As the river flows at high speed, the Rivers Tel and Hasdo contribute as the main tributaries to the Mahanadi River. The Hirakund Dam, the Worlds Highest Dam is constructed on Mahanadi. There is a high Gandhi Tower for the introspection of the Dam. As this Dam is the lifeline of Orissa, Mahanadi contributes a lot in fertilizing the chief crops – oilseed, rice and sugarcane. The Hirakund Dam is also the main source of running Hydroelectric Plant at Sambalpur. Though the river flows at high speed, still in the months July to February, one can navigate the river on boat.( In any case one should not go very near Bay of Bengal, the point where Mahanadi merges in the Sea).The drainage of the Mahanadi is shared by the Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.

Suggestions
· The river Mahanadi has a religious significance, but in the smaller sense. It has a lot of devotees in Cuttack.
· Mahanadi does not have any Ghats in particular, however one can go to see it in Hirakund Dam. Hirakund Dam is in itself an attraction.
· Most of the eateries around Mahanadi are not very clean. It is advisable to have the food in your hotel. In religious places there are very less options of food. Non – Vegetarian Food in particular is not allowed.
· While travelling, keep your important documents like driving license, address proof, passport with you. Do not share these information with any stranger.
· Convert your currency only from Standard Banks or Government Banks. Do not rely on strangers.
· For you own good, go to such places either in a group or at least two people should be there. Avoid travelling alone.
· For any other information contact us.

Satluj River
SatlujAlso known as the Red River, Satluj /Satlej river is the longest river amongst the five rivers flowing through the cross river of Pakistan and Northern India. Satluj is one of the three Trans Himalayan Rivers originating in the high Tibetan Plateau which cuts across the Himalayan Ranges. Satluj crosses the three main mountain ranges – the Zanzkar Range, the Great Himalayan Range and the Dauladhar Range. However the source of Satluj river in India is the Mansarovar lake at 18500ft in Tibetan Range.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Mansarovar Lake - China
· Compliance : One of the major three rivers which flow through the cross river of Pakistan and India.
· Place of Pilgrimage : The point where it meets River Ganges. The water here is supposed to be auspicious.
Satluj RiverThe Mighty Satluj River lies in the Ngari region of the Tibet, the Dauladhar range forms its Southern Range – the Uttarkashi Range making a part of Uttar Pradesh and the Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. Satluj River enters India through Shipki La – as high as 6, 608 mts from sea. The major tributaries to the Satluj River is the Indus Valley River – the main river of Pakistan. In India Satluj River makes an important source to cultivate various fruits and plants in the North Eastern Part. On both the sides of the river can be found crops of orchids , apricots, apples and grapes. It is the major source of providing life to many ornamental plants which are grown in Indian Hill Stations – especially in the Northern India. Satluj crosses some of the major cities of India. Its course includes crossing - Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts. Some of the major tributeries of Satluj are viz. the Spiti, the Ropa, the Taiti, the Kashang, the Mulgaon, the Yula, the Wanger, the Throng and the Rupi as right bank tributaries, whereas the Tirung, the Gayathing, the Baspa, the Duling and the Soldang are left bank tributaries. Out of all these Baspa River, Spiti River, Nogli Khad and Soan River are the major Tributaries of Satluj River. In the Himalayan Ranges too, the Satluj River has a large deep area. This area is known as Pshong – Tong. Pshong Tong is a called as the fruit Valley for the variety of fruits it bears. Apples, apricots, grapes, cherries – all of them fill the lush green grounds making them colorful.Though there isin't much of Religious aspects related to Satluj River, still it is considered to have the waters of Satluj River in any of the Religious Functions.

Adventures : Satluj is very famous for a exciting and thrilling adventure. Popular as it is, Rafting is one of the most sought after adventures of India. All the three places which the river crosses – Zanzkar Valley, the Dauladhar Range and the Uttarkashi Range are famous for rafting. People from all over the country and also from outside countries come to enjoy this thrill. It s a thing one must go for.

Suggestions
· Satluj River crosses places which are at quite a height. These places are Snow cladded in the Winters (November – January end) and require a lot of woolens to be taken along. However the summers (February to May end) are the best months to be here. (Sometimes there can be snowfall in February too, so check out before planning a tour).
· Ranges like Dauladher and Zanzkar are not considered as Hill Stations. So you can expect more of open places and easy Hotel Reservations. Not less than any other Hill Stations, these are beautiful places to go to in the Spring Season. Shimla and Uttarkashi however can be quite crowded in the springs and winters as these are very famous Hill Stations of India. Ask us for all the details.
· Except Uttarkashi, there are no restrictions on the kind of food you eat. Uttarkashi being a religious Hill Stations, abets its travellers from having Non – Vegetarian Food.
· If you intend to take a trip to Mansarovar, then it is easy to reach from Zanzkar Range. Contact us for further details.
· Keep all your belongings with you. Take minimum luggage while on excursion. Keep your important documents in the Hotel Locker.
· Do not pass out any information about your Passport and Travelers Cheque with anyone.
· The path of Satluj River is the best place to go for Rafting. If you are here, do not leave it out.
· For any other information contact us.

Sindhu River
SindhuIn Sanskrit, the river Sindhu means Ocean. This river goes back to the Age when Jayadratha, son of Vriddhakshatra was the ruler of the Sindu Kingdom. It was the time of famous Hindu Epic Mahabharata. And from here, the lands of Sindh came the name of the River Sindhu. Indus Valley Civilization came into existence only after the river Sindhu paved way for them.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Kailash Mountain near Mansarovar in Tibet.
· Compliance : One of the rivers of Sapta Sindhus
· Place of Pilgrimage : Leh - Ladakh
Sindhu RiverOriginating from Kailash mountain, it covers 550 kms in Jammu and Kashmir. From there it enters Leh, and gets mingled with Zanzkar river. In Punjab it is met with five major rivers of Punjab – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj.The word Sindhu originates from the word sidh meaning to keep off . The river Sindhu has been mentioned 176 times in Rigveda, 95 times in plural, used in the generic meaning. In Rigveda – the Ancient Indian Scripture( 1500 B.C.), is the earliest chronicle of Aryans. Aryans were the people from whom the name of the country evolved and came to be known as Hindustan to the entire world.There is a lot of political significance to the River Sindhu due to its geographical location. It runs along the Indo – China Border. Entering India from the south eastern Ladakh near the river Gutang at an altitude of 4,200 ft from sea; it follows the northwest course in the Ladakh Range and Zanzkar Range in the South. The main tributeries of the Sindhu River in the Ladakh Region of Jammu and Kashmir are Hanle River, Gurtang River, Shigar River, Shigar (South) River, Shyok River, Gilgit River, And Astor. In India it mingles with Ganges in the end. Nubra and Drass Rivers too act as tributaries to Sindhu River.

Things to See
· Sindhu Darshan Festival : This Festival, also known as Indus (according to the Indus River which originated the Sindhu River), is held every year in the month of June in Leh and Ladakh. The Sindhu Darshan Festival projects Sindhu as a symbol of multi-dimensional cultural identity, communal harmony and peaceful co-existence in India. This festival is also a salute to the brave soldiers of Kargil, Siachin and other High Altitude places. Filled with colors of harmony, its a must watch festival for those who land in Leh and Ladakh in June. This festival is held on Guru Poornima Day.
· Monasteries : The places from where Sindhu Passes - Leh and Ladakh are famous for its Buddhist Monasteries. These Monasteries are a symbol of Buddhist Culture. A must see for anyone visiting Leh and Ladakh.

Suggestions
· Leh and Ladakh are a high Cold Zones. November to Mid March are cold – freeze months. Until and unless you can tolerate minus temperatures, you should avoid being here in these months. If you enter Leh and Ladakh in these months, it is impossible to move out before March.
· Reaching Leh and Ladakh is only by Road. Trains can take you upto Jammu, after that one has to go by Road. The Indian Airlines go up to Srinagar Airport. After that, one has to take a Taxi or go by bus.
· Food is not easily available in peak winter seasons. In rest of the seasons, both Vegetarian and Non – Vegetarian Food is easily available.
· March to June are the best months to be in Leh Ladakh. September – November too are good months to be here.
· Take a large number of warm clothes, if you are going in winter season. In other months, Leh and Ladakh are beautiful places to be in.
· Keep all your belongings with you. Take minimum luggage while on excursion. Keep your important documents in the Hotel Locker.
· Do not pass out any information about your Passport and Travelers Cheque with anyone.
· For further queries, contact us.

Tapti River
Tapti Tapti River/ Tapi River is a river of Central India. Tapati, Tapti, Tapee, Taapi are the various names used to denote Tapti River. Also known as the daughter of Sun God, its basin extends over an area of 65, 145 km sq. - a whooping area which totals to 2% of the total area of India. In India, Tapti River originates at Multani of Betul District. The Basin of Tapti River lies in three Indian States, namely, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Tapti River plays a major role in all the religious festivals and ceremonies. The waters of Tapti river are considered to be holy.
Fast Facts
· Place of Origin : Betul District (Multani) - Satpura Forest Range.
· Compliance : One of the major rivers which run from East to West.
· Place of Pilgrimage : Burhanpur, South West of Madhya Pradesh
Tapti RiverAlong with the Narmada and Mahi Rivers, runs the Tapti River covering an area of 724 kms. Rising from the Satpura Range Of Southern Madhya Pradesh it flows towards the Maharashtra's Kandesh and East Vidharbha regions of Deccan Plateau. In the Western side is the Gulf of Cambay and the Arabian Sea, thats is Gujarat. The last destination of Tapti River is the Gulf of Khambhat (Surat – Gujarat).The main Tributaries of the Tapti River are Purna, Gima, Panzara, Waghur, Bori, and Aner River. Apart from these there are about 40 other small river which make of the most of Tributaries to the Tapi River.The major towns which the river covers along its path are Betul, Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), Bhusawal (Maharashtra), and Surat (Gujarat). A number of dams have been constructed on the water of Tapti River. These include – Hatnur Dam of Jalgaon, Maharashtra and Ukai Dam of Songadh in Gujarat. Several Tiger Reserve have been opened seeing the nearness of the River Tapti. These Reserves are Melghat Tiger Reserve, Amravati, Madhya Pradesh. This Project extends to the boundary of Maharashtra.

Places to See
· Melghat Tiger Reserve : If you are adventure freak, then this Tiger Reserve, part of Tiger Project, is the one to go for. Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, sambar, gaur, barking deer, nilgai, chital, chausingha, ratel, flying squirrel, wild boar, langur, Rhesus monkey, porcupine, pangolin, mouse deer, python, otter, caracal, blacknaped hare are the wild animals which have made a niche of their own in this Tiger Reserve - one of the Indias famous Wildlife Sancturies for Tigers.
· Asigarh : This Fortess, situated in Satpura Jungle is about 20 kms north of Bhuranpur District of Madhya Pradesh. The fortress houses a tenth century Lord Shiva Temple which is worth a watch.

Suggestions
· The locations and places near Tapti River have a high temperature in the Summers ( April – June end). These months should be avoided for traveling in all the three States Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
· Gujarat is a Vegetarian State, there are very less restaurants which serve non – vegetarian food is served. Even the best ones avoid serving non – vegetarian food.
· The banks of River are considered to be holy places. Avoid wearing skinny and bright clothes at these places. Fully covered clothes with light colors are more welcome at such places.
· Avoid eating non – vegetarian food at the banks of Rivers. It is considered unholy.
· Early morning hours are considered to be the hours of prayers. If you want to see the method of prayers, then you should reach the banks before the sun rises or at the time of sun rising.
· Book your hotel room months back, as in the peak season the booking is overflowed. Even if you get a place in the Hotel, you will paying more than the actual price.
· Do not pass out any information about your Passport and Travelers Cheque with anyone.Keep your belongings with you and do not share your important details with anyone.
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