List of Major Rivers in Bihar

List of Major Rivers in Bihar

1. Ganga

• The main river of Bihar; enters the state at Chausa.
• Forms the boundary between Bihar–Uttar Pradesh and also between Bhojpur–Saran
• Major tributaries: Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi, Kali, Sone, Karmanasa, Punpun.
• Mahatma Gandhi Setu connects North and South Bihar and is part of NH-22.

2. Ghagra / Saryu

• Origin: Nampa, Nepal.
• Enters Bihar through Siwan and joins the Ganga at Chhapra.
• Sacred for both Hindus and Buddhists.

3. Gandak

• Origin: North of Dhaulagiri in Tibet near Nepal.
• Enters India near Triveni (Nepal).
• Flows southwards forming the Bihar–UP boundary.
• Drains West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali.
• Triveni Canal receives water from Gandak.

4. Burhi Gandak

• Origin: Someshwar Hills.
• Enters Bihar near Chautarwa Chaur (West Champaran).
• Flows through West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai.
• Joins the Ganga at Khagaria.

5. Bagmati

• Origin: Shivpuri Hills, Nepal.
• Enters Bihar at Shorwatia (Sitamarhi).
• Flows through Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Sheohar, Samastipur.
• A perennial river of Bihar.
• Tributaries: Lalbakeya, Lakhendei.
• Meets the Kosi at Badlaghat.

6. Kamla

• Origin: Mahabharata Range, Nepal (near Sindhuli Gadhi).
• Enters Bihar through Jaynagar (Madhubani).
• Kamala Barrage built near Jaynagar.
• Tributaries: Dhauri, Soni, Balan, Trisula.

7. Mahananda

• Origin: Sikkim.
• Enters Bihar from Kishanganj.
• Forms an important linguistic boundary between Hindi and Bengali-speaking regions.
• Tributaries: Balason, Ratwa, Kankai.
• Joins the Ganga in Nawabganj (Bangladesh).

8. Son (Sone)

• Origin: Amarkantak Hills, Madhya Pradesh.
• Joins the Ganga at Maner.
• Tributaries: Rihand, North Koel.
• Dehri Anicut and Indrapuri Barrage built for flood control.

9. Kosi

• Known as the “Sorrow of Bihar.”
• Called Saptakoshi due to its seven upper tributaries.
• Enters India near Hanuman Nagar (Nepal).
• Joins the Ganga near Kursela (Katihar).

10. Punpun

• Origin: Hazaribagh Plateau.
• Joins the Ganga at Fatuha.
• Tributaries: Dordha, Butane, Madar, Morhar.
• Mentioned in ancient texts as “Punah-Punah,” later called Punpun.
• Flows through Palamu, Chatra, Aurangabad, Gaya, Patna.

11. Phalgu (Niranjana)

• Also known as Niranjana.
• Sacred river; important for Pind Daan rituals in Gaya.
• Main tributary: Mohane.

12. Karmanasa

• Origin: Rohtas Plateau.
• Joins the Ganga near Chausa, forming a long stretch of UP–Bihar boundary.
• Tributaries: Durgavati, Chandraprabha, Karunuti, Nadi, Khajuri.

Waterfalls & Hot Springs of Bihar

1. Kakolat Waterfall

• Located 33 km from Nawada.
• Height: 160 feet.
• Mythology: A king cursed into a python was freed here during the Pandavas’ exile; bathing here is believed to free one from rebirth as a snake.

2. Karkat Waterfall

• Located near Kaimur Hills (Kaimur district).
• Near Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.

3. Telhar Waterfall

• Situated in Kaimur district.
• Water falls into a deep pool causing strong undercurrents—dangerous for swimmers.