Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: A viral video showing 11,000 litres of milk being poured into the Narmada River during a ritual at the Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, has sparked a massive online debate.
About Narmada River:
What it is?
- The Narmada, also known as the Rewa, is one of the most sacred rivers in India and the largest westward-flowing river of the Indian peninsula. Known as the Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, it is unique as it flows in a rift valley between two major mountain ranges.
Origin:
- Source: The river rises at an elevation of about 3,500 feet (1,080 meters) in the Maikala Range.
- Location: The specific origin point is the Narmada Kund at Amarkantak, located in the Anuppur district of eastern Madhya Pradesh.
States Flowed Through: The river traverses a total length of approximately 815 miles (1,312 km) through:
- Madhya Pradesh (major portion).
- Maharashtra.
- Gujarat.
- The basin also includes a small portion of Chhattisgarh and utilizes water in Rajasthan via canals.
Tributaries of the Narmada: The waterway is fed by 41 tributaries.
- Left Bank Tributaries: Burhner, Banjar, Sher, Shakkar, Dudhi, Tawa, Ganjal, Chhota Tawa, Kundi, Goi, and Karjan.
- Right Bank Tributaries: Hiran, Tendoni, Barna, Kolar, Man, Uri, Hatni, and Orsang.
Mouth: The Narmada enters the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat. It forms a massive estuary about 13 miles (21 km) wide, just below the city of Bharuch in Gujarat.
Key Geological Features:
- Rift Valley Flow: The Narmada is one of the few rivers in India that flows through a structural trough (rift valley) between the Vindhya Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south.
- Marble Rocks Gorge: Near Jabalpur, the river passes through the famous Marble Rocks, where the soft magnesium limestone has been carved into a deep, stunning gorge.
- Waterfalls: The river features numerous falls, most notably the Dhuandhar Falls (Smoke Cascade) southwest of Jabalpur.
- Estuary: Unlike many large rivers that form deltas, the Narmada forms an estuary because the high gradient and rocky terrain prevent the buildup of extensive silt deposits at its mouth.
Significance:
- It is a vital water resource harnessed by mega-dams like the Sardar Sarovar Dam and Indira Sagar Dam, providing electricity and drinking water to millions.
- The valley supports diverse ecosystems, including the Statue of Unity region, which has become a major global tourist destination.
