{"id":14541,"date":"2026-01-03T11:05:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T05:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=14541"},"modified":"2026-01-07T13:04:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T07:34:46","slug":"kaveri-river-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/kaveri-river-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaveri River System, Tributaries, Origin, Length"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kaveri River System is one of the most important river basins in South India. Originating in the Western Ghats, it plays a major role in agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and cultural traditions. Below in the article, a brief overview of the Kaveri River System, is shared covering its origin, course, major tributaries, and other details.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kaveri River System<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Cauvery River, also known as the \u2018Ganga of the South\u2019, originates from Talakaveri in the Kodagu district of Karnataka and flows for 800 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before merging into the Bay of Bengal. The river basin is divided into three major regions: the Western Ghats, the Mysore Plateau, and the Cauvery Delta, with the delta being the most fertile region. The basin features diverse soil types, including black soils, red soils, laterites, alluvial soils, forest soils, and mixed soils. The river receives rainfall from both the Southwest and Northeast Monsoons, making it a perennial river. It plays a crucial role in irrigation and hydroelectric power generation, supporting agriculture in its fertile plains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kaveri River System Origin<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Kaveri River, also known as the \u2018Dakshin Bharat ki Ganga\u2019 originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range near Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. Flowing in a south-east direction, it passes through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, descending into the Eastern Ghats with many waterfalls. As it approaches the coast, the river divides into various distributaries, forming a fertile delta before merging into the Bay of Bengal. This delta region, often referred to as the \u201cGarden of Southern India,\u201d is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country, supporting extensive cultivation and contributing significantly to the region\u2019s economy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kaveri River System Tributaries<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Kaveri River System is divided into two parts, the first part is called the right bank tributaries of Cauvery and the second part is called the left bank tributaries of Cauvery.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Kaveri River System Tributaries<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
River<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDescription<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Harangi River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • The Harangi River originates from the Pushpagiri Hills in the Western Ghats, Kodagu, Karnataka<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It receives rainfall by the southwest monsoon<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • The river flows about 50 km before merging with the Kaveri near Kudige, 5 km north of Kushalnagar<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Hemavati River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • Originating at an altitude of 6,000 feet in the Western Ghats, the Hemavati River flows through Mudigere taluk (Chikmagalur district) and Hassan district before joining the Kaveri at Krishnarajasagara<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Its total length is 245 km<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Lakshmana Tirtha River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • The Lakshmana Tirtha River flows eastward from the Kodagu region, joining the Kaveri River at Krishna Lake (Raja Sagara)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It rises from 1,450 meters in the Brahmagiri area and flows south of Coorg, causing floods during heavy rains<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Amaravathi River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • A major tributary of the Kaveri, the Amaravathi River flows through Udumalpet, Dharapuram, and Karur in Tamil Nadu, South India<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It flows northward and passes the Amaravathi Reservoir and Dam at Amaravathinagar<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Bhavani River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • Originating from the Nilgiri Hills, the Bhavani River passes through the Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) and enters Tamil Nadu, flowing through Coimbatore and Erode<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • About 90% of its water is used for irrigation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It meets the Kaveri at Kooduthurai<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Kabini River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • A major tributary of the Kaveri, the Kabini River begins near Kavilumpara in Kozhikode, Kerala, at the confluence of the Panamaram and Mananthavady rivers<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It flows east through Wayanad and Mysore, joining the Kaveri in Mysore district<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Noyyal River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • The Noyyal River, a small tributary of the Kaveri, originates from the Vellingiri Hills near the Kerala border<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • It flows through Coimbatore and Tirupur in Tamil Nadu before merging with the Kaveri River<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Arkavathi River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • The Arkavathi River, originating from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka, flows southeast and merges with the Kaveri River 34 km south of Kanakapura, passing through Ramanagara and Kanakapura<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Shimsha River<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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    \r\n\t
  • Originating from Mount Devarayanadurga in the Tumkur region of Karnataka, the Shimsha River flows for approximately 221 kilometers before joining the Kaveri River<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
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Kaveri Pushkaram<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

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