Rivers in India have been crucial in developing the country’s civilization and providing essential resources for its people. Important Riverside Cities in India are key to understanding the growth and development of various regions.
This article will give detailed information about these cities, organized by state, and will also include an analysis of the safety levels in these cities. Aspirants preparing for competitive exams such as UPSC and State PSC can use this information to improve their knowledge of static GK.
What are Riverside Cities?
Riverside cities are cities that are located along the banks or shores of a river.
These cities often grow and develop around rivers because rivers provide important resources like water for drinking, farming, transportation, and trade.
People settle near rivers for their convenience and the benefits they offer, such as fertile soil for farming and easy access to water for daily use.
Examples of riverside cities in India include Varanasi on the Ganges River and Surat on the Tapi River.
Riverside Cities in India State-wise List
The following table presents a comprehensive list of important riverside cities in India, categorized by states and the rivers they are located on:
| Riverside Cities in India State-wise | ||
|---|---|---|
| States | City | River |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | Krishna |
| Rajahmundry | Godavari | |
| Vijayawada | Krishna | |
| Nellore | Pennar | |
| Kurnool | Tungabhadra | |
| Assam | Dibrugarh | Brahmaputra |
| Bihar | Munger | Ganges |
| Jamalpur | Ganges | |
| Purnia | Koshi | |
| Bhagalpur | Ganges | |
| Patna | Ganges | |
| Gaya | Falgu | |
| Hajipur | Ganges | |
| Delhi | New Delhi | Yamuna |
| Gujarat | Bharuch | Narmada |
| Navsari | Purna | |
| Surat | Tapi | |
| Vadodara | Vishwamitri | |
| Deesa | Banas | |
| Ahmedabad | Sabarmati | |
| Modasa | Mazum | |
| Rajkot | Aji | |
| Patan | Saraswati | |
| Morbi | Machchu | |
| Himmatnagar | Hathmati | |
| Valsad | Auranga | |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu | Tawi |
| Srinagar | Jhelum | |
| Karnataka | Mangalore | Netravati, Gurupura |
| Shimoga | Tunga River | |
| Bhadravathi | Bhadra | |
| Hospet | Tungabhadra | |
| Karwar | Kali | |
| Bagalkot | Ghataprabha | |
| Honnavar | Sharavathi | |
| Bangalore | Vrishabhavathi | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Jabalpur | Narmada |
| Gwalior | Chambal | |
| Ujjain | Shipra | |
| Ashta | Parwati | |
| Maharashtra | Pune | Mula, Mutha |
| Gangakhed | Godavari | |
| Karjat | Ulhas | |
| Nashik | Godavari | |
| Mahad | Savitri | |
| Nanded | Godavari | |
| Kolhapur | Panchaganga | |
| Malegaon | Girna River | |
| Sangli | Krishna | |
| Karad | Krishna, Koyna | |
| Golegaon | Godavari | |
| Odisha | Sambalpur | Mahanadi |
| Rourkela | Brahmani | |
| Rairangpur | Khadkhai | |
| Banki | Mahanadi | |
| Cuttack | Mahanadi | |
| Brahmapur | Rushikulya | |
| Chhatrapur | Rushikulya | |
| Cuttack | Mahanadi | |
| Punjab | Ferozpur | Sutlej |
| Rajasthan | Kota | Chambal |
| Sikkim | Rangpo | Teesta |
| Tamil Nadu | Madurai | Vaigai |
| Thiruchirapalli | Kaveri | |
| Chennai | Cooum, Adyar | |
| Coimbatore | Noyyal | |
| Erode | Kaveri | |
| Tirunelveli | Thamirabarani | |
| Kanchipuram | Vegavathi, Palar | |
| Thanjavur | Vennaaru, Vadavaaru | |
| Telangana | Nizamabad | Godavari |
| Hyderabad | Musi | |
| Karimnagar | Maner | |
| Ramagundam | Godavari | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Fatehgarh | Ganges |
| Kannauj | Ganges | |
| Gorakhpur | Rapti | |
| Lucknow | Gomti | |
| Kanpur Cantonment | Ganges | |
| Shuklaganj | Ganges | |
| Chakeri | Ganges | |
| Varanasi | Ganges | |
| Mathura | Yamuna | |
| Mirzapur | Ganga | |
| Auraiya | Yamuna | |
| Etawah | Yamuna | |
| Farrukhabad | Ganges | |
| Agra | Yamuna | |
| Allahabad | Ganga | |
| Ayodhya | Sarayu | |
| Kanpur | Ganges | |
| Jaunpur | Gomti | |
| Budaun | Sot | |
| Uttarakhand | Haridwar | Ganges |
| Badrinath | Alaknanda | |
| West Bengal | Baranagar | Ganges |
| Kolkata | Hooghly | |
| Murshidabad | Hooghly | |
Importance of Indian Cities on River Banks
Rivers have played a crucial role in the development of civilizations by providing clean water, transportation, energy, and food to millions of people.
Cities located along riverbanks enjoy many benefits, including fertile land for farming and easier transportation, which helps them grow economically and socially. These rivers also support various industries and provide resources that are essential for daily life.
In India, many important cities are situated on the banks of major rivers, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari.
These rivers help the cities thrive, and their significance is often tested in competitive exams like SSC, UPSC, RRB, and NTPC.
Cities on the Banks of the Ganga River
The Ganga River, often called the lifeline of India, is very special to millions of people. It has not only been a major source of water for communities living along its banks but has also inspired spiritual beliefs and cultural traditions.
Cities located along the Ganga have become important centers of history, religion, and culture. These cities, with their rich stories, rituals, and beautiful architecture, show the strong bond between the people and the river.
Haridwar
- Haridwar is a holy city for Hindus.
- Many pilgrims visit to perform bathing rituals in the Ganga River, believing it can wash away sins.
- The Ganga starts its journey from Gaumukh and enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India in Haridwar.
- Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is celebrated here every fourth year.
Kanpur
- Kanpur is an industrial city located in the central-western part of Uttar Pradesh.
- It is often referred to as the “Manchester of the East” due to its strong industrial presence.
- The city produces an estimated 450 million liters of municipal sewage and industrial effluent daily.
- Until recently, most of this waste was flowing directly into the holy Ganga River.
Prayagraj
- Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is one of the oldest cities in India and holds an important place in Hindu spirituality.
- It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North India, and is the seventh most populous city in the state.
- Prayagraj hosts both sports and cultural events throughout the year.
- The city is famous for the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
Varanasi
- Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is famous for its ghats, gullies, and the holy Ganga River.
- It is a city in North India, located on the banks of the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, and holds great spiritual and religious significance.
- The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, houses one of the holiest jyotirlingas.
Patna
- Patna is the capital of Bihar and is located on the south bank of the Ganga River in Eastern India.
- The city is famous for Gandhi Ghat, which is situated on the banks of the Ganga River.
Rishikesh
- Rishikesh is a metropolitan board and a tehsil in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand.
- Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as the “gateway of the Garhwal Himalayas”.
- Rishikesh is the first city that the sacred Ganga River meets on her journey.
- The city is famous for its Ayurvedic medicine and spiritual significance.
- Rishikesh is an important spiritual destination, with nearby pilgrimage sites in the Chota Char Dham – Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.
Other cities like Kolkata, Balarampur, Baharpur, Bhagalpur, Mirzapur, and Jajmau are also located on the banks of the Ganga River. These cities are equally important due to their historical, cultural, and economic significance.
Cities on the Banks of the Yamuna River
- The Yamuna River is one of the most famous rivers in India and the largest tributary of the Ganga.
- It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the lower Himalayan ranges.
- The river flows for a total distance of 1,376 km and drains into the Ganga at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Cities on the banks of the Yamuna River include
- Delhi
- Noida
- Mathura
- Agra
- Firozabad
- Etawah
- Kalpi
- Hamirpur
- Prayagraj
Cities on the Godavari River
- The Godavari River is one of the major rivers in central and southeastern India, holding deep spiritual significance.
- Originating in the Nashik District of Maharashtra, it flows through the Deccan Plateau and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Narasapuram in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
- With a length of 1,465 km, the Godavari is the second longest river in India, following the Ganga.
- The river’s catchment area covers six states: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Orissa.
- The Godavari is considered sacred by millions of people and plays a vital role in the daily lives of those living along its banks, providing water for irrigation and other needs.
- It also supports various ecosystems and contributes significantly to the cultural and historical heritage of the regions it flows through.
| Cities on the Godavari River | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City/Town | River | District | Notable Features |
| Trimbakeshwar | Godavari | Nashik | • The Godavari River, also known as the Dakshin Ganga, originates from Trimbakeshwar. • Trimbakeshwar is home to one of the Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, marking it as a significant religious and spiritual site. • The river’s journey from Trimbakeshwar is believed to hold deep spiritual importance for millions of devotees. |
| Nashik | Godavari | Nashik | • Nashik is a popular sacred city located in Maharashtra, known for its rich religious and historical significance. • It is one of the key locations for the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years, attracting millions of pilgrims who come to bathe in the Godavari River to cleanse their sins. • Nashik is also home to Trimbakeshwar, a revered Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. • The city, surrounded by lush landscapes and vineyards, is also a growing center for wine production in India. |
| Paithan | Godavari | Aurangabad | • Paithan is a historic town located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. • Paithan was once the capital of the Satavahana dynasty. • The town is mentioned in the famous first-century Greek text, the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. |
Other cities located on the banks of the Godavari River include:
- Kopargaon
- Ahmednagar
- Nanded (Known for Sachkhand Gurudwara)
- Gangakhed
- Parbhani
- Gevrai
- Beed
- Sironcha
- Gadchiroli (Located near the meeting point of Pranahita and Godavari rivers)
Cities on the Riverbanks in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is home to many cities and towns located along the peaceful riverbanks of different rivers.
These towns have a special charm, with their cultural and historical importance shaped by the flowing rivers.
From ancient temples to lively markets, each city along the river offers a unique look at the region’s history and traditions.
Nirmal is famous for its beautiful Nirmal Toys, a traditional craft that is part of the region’s culture.
Basara is home to the respected Gnana Saraswati Temple, a significant spiritual place for many people.
These towns showcase the rich heritage and traditions of Andhra Pradesh, making them important cultural landmarks.
| Cities on the Riverbanks in Andhra Pradesh | |
|---|---|
| City/Town | Notable Features |
| Nirmal | Nirmal Toys |
| Basara | Gnana Saraswati Temple |
| Battapur | Armoor Toys |
| Tadpakala | Armoor Toys |
| Dharmapuri | Narasimha Swamy Temple |
| Goodem Gutta | Temple |
| Manthani | Sri Rama, Gautameshwara Swami(Siva) Temple, Sarswathi Temples |
| Kaleshwaram | Siva or Kaleswara Mukhteswara Swamy Temple |
Other cities/towns on the Riverbanks of Andhra Pradesh are:
- Godavarikhani
- Mancherial
- Bhadrachalam
- EturiNagaram
- Yanam
- Rajahmundry
- Tallapudi
- Kovvur
- Antarvedi
- Narsapur
- Tadipudi
