KatherinLigertwo at 17:09, 27 March 2026

2026-03-27T17:09:35Z

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{{short description|River in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Alakanandā
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =

| image = Alaknanda devprayag.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| image_caption = The sediment-laden Alaknanda river flowing into [[Devprayag]], Uttarakhand.
| map = HeadwatersGanges1.jpg
| map_size =
| map_caption = The Himalayan headwaters of the Ganges river in the [[Garhwa]]l region of [[Uttarakhand]], India. The Alaknanda is the left bank tributary of the Ganges at Devprayag.
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type3 = Region
| subdivision_name3 = [[Garhwal division]]
| subdivision_type4 = District
| subdivision_name4 = [[Chamoli district|Chamoli]], [[Rudraprayag district|Rudraprayag]], [[Pauri Garhwal district|Pauri Garhwal]]
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =

| length = {{convert|195|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|439.36|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =

| source1 = Confluence of [[Satopanth Glacier]] and Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier
| source1_location = [[Uttarakhand]]
| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|30.7841|79.4385|format=dms|type:river_region:IN|display=i}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|3880|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Ganges River|Ganges]]
| mouth_location = [[Devprayag]], Uttarakhand, India
| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|30.1453|78.5979|format=dms|region:IN|display=it}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|475|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|10882|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left = [[Saraswati River (Uttarakhand)|Saraswati]], [[Dhauliganga River|Dhauliganga]], [[Nandakini]], [[Pindar River|Pindar]]
| tributaries_right = [[Mandakini River|Mandakini]]
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
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}}

The '''Alaknanda''' is a [[Himalaya]]n river in the [[India]]n state of [[Uttarakhand]] and one of the two [[headstream]]s of the [[Ganges]], the major river of [[Northern India]] and a river considered holy in [[Hinduism]]. In [[hydrology]], the Alaknanda is considered the [[headstream|source stream]] of the Ganges on account of its greater length and discharge;<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/65 65]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> while, in Hindu tradition and culture, the other headstream, the [[Bhagirathi River|Bhagirathi]], is considered the source stream.

==Course==
The Alaknanda rises at the confluence and foot of the [[Satopanth Glacier|Satopanth]] and Bhagirath Kharak [[glacier]]s in Uttarakhand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euttaranchal.com/uttarakhand/alaknanda-river |title=eUttaranchal |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=15 January 2018 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717183432/https://www.euttaranchal.com/uttarakhand/alaknanda-river |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>In Hindu culture {{cite web |url=https://omshivam.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/the-story-of-ganga-the-river-goddess/ |title=The Story of Ganga : The River Goddess|date=25 January 2010 }}</ref> From its origin, it travels to the village of [[Mana, India|Mana]], meets with the [[Saraswati River (Uttarakhand)|Saraswati River]], a left bank [[tributary]] at Keshav Prayag and continues downstream through narrow valleys. It reaches the Badrinath valley, arrives at Hanumanchatti, and meets with the Ghrit Ganga, a right bank tributary. From Hanumanchatti, the river goes to Pandukeshwar and flows through wide valleys and steep terrains.

At [[Vishnuprayag]] it meets [[Dhauliganga River|Dhauliganga]], a left bank tributary, and travels west to the town of [[Joshimath]]. From Joshimath, the Alaknanda crosses the [[Main Central Thrust]] near Helang. It then meets with Birahi Ganga, a left bank tributary at Birahi. The river reaches the town of [[Nandaprayag|Nandprayag]] and joins with the [[Nandakini|Nandakini River]], a left bank tributary. At [[Karnaprayag|Karanprayag]], the [[Pindar River]], a left bank tributary, meets with the Alaknanda River. At [[Rudraprayag]], it meets with the [[Mandakini River]], a right bank tributary. As the Alaknanda flows past Rudraprayag, it enters a wide valley near [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar, Garhwal]]. At [[Devprayag]] the Alaknanda River converges with the Bhagirathi River and travels onward as the Ganges River.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Singh |first=Sandeep |title=Alakhnanda–Bhagirathi River System |date=2018 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2984-4_8 |work=The Indian Rivers: Scientific and Socio-economic Aspects |series=Springer Hydrogeology |pages=107–108 |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Dhruv Sen |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-10-2984-4_8 |isbn= 978-981-10-2983-7|access-date=2022-04-13|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The Alaknanda contributes a significantly larger portion to the flow of the Ganges than the Bhagirathi.<ref name=":0" /> The Alaknanda system drains parts of [[Chamoli district|Chamoli]], [[Tehri Garhwal district|Tehri]], and [[Pauri Garhwal district|Pauri]] districts.<ref name=singh>Singh Negi, Sharad (1995). ''Uttarakhand: Land and People'', page 6. MD Publications Pvt Ltd. {{ISBN|81-85880-73-5}}.</ref>

==Religious significance==
In ancient Hindu texts, the Alaknanda river has been used synonymously with the Ganges river. In the [[Vishnu Purana]], the Ganges river which surrounds the city of [[Brahma]] divides into four and one of rivers is called Alaknanda, which flows south to India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hinduism/DH0vmD8ghdMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Alaknanda+river+hinduism&pg=PA19&printsec=frontcover |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2010 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn= |pages=19 |language=en}}</ref>

Five rivers merge with the Alaknanda and are referred to as prayag or 'holy confluence of rivers' and are places of [[pilgrimage]] in Hinduism.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sati |first=Vishwambhar Prasad |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Towards_Sustainable_Livelihoods_and_Ecos/qD-3BAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Alaknanda+river+hinduism&pg=PA95&printsec=frontcover |title=Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Mountain Regions |date=2013-12-21 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |pages=95 |language=en}}</ref> '''Panch Prayag''' (Pañcha prayāga) is an expression in [[Hindu]] religious ethos, specifically used to connote the five sacred [[confluence|river confluence]]s in the [[Garhwal Himalaya]]s in the state of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. The five ''prayag''s - ''prayaga'' meaning "place of confluence of rivers" in [[Sanskrit]] - also termed as "Prayag pentad". These in the descending flow sequence of their occurrence include [[Vishnuprayag]], where the Alaknanda meets the [[Dhauliganga River]], [[Nandaprayag]], where it meets the [[Nandakini]] River, [[Karnaprayag]], where it meets the [[Pindar River]], [[Rudraprayag]], where it meets the [[Mandakini River]], and [[Devprayag]], where it meets the [[Bhagirathi River]] and officially becomes the [[Ganges]].<ref name="kapadia">Kapadia, Harish (2001). ''Trekking and Climbing in the Indian Himalaya'', page 89. Stackpole Books. {{ISBN|0-8117-2953-2}}.</ref>

Alaknanda + Dhauliganga = Vishnu Prayag

Alaknanda + Nandakini = Nand Prayag

Alaknanda + Pindarganga = Karna Prayag

Alaknanda + Mandakini = Rudra Prayag

Alaknanda + Bhagirathi = Dev Prayag

The Alaknanda also flows through other important places of pilgrimage such as [[Badrinath]] and [[Joshimath]].<ref name=":1" />

==Recreation==
The Alaknanda river is known for river [[rafting]] due to its high rafting grade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://travelnewsindia.com/11-top-destinations-river-rafting-india/|title=11 Top Destinations for River Rafting in India - Travel News India|publisher=travelnewsindia.com|date=2017-01-31|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311111842/http://travelnewsindia.com/11-top-destinations-river-rafting-india/|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Dams==
There are 37 [[hydroelectric]] [[dam]]s in operation, under construction or planned to harness the energy of the Alaknanda river and its tributaries and generate electricity.<ref>[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zQ_61cHYdhs/SvpwSYCKkPI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Ey81qwD6atk/s1600-h/Alaknanda+070808.jpg Hydroelectric Projects on Alaknanda River Basin], by South Asia Network on Dams Rivers and People, www.sandrp.in</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! # !! Name !! Electrical output capacity (MW) !! Status !! Dam height (m) !! Full reservoir level (MSL) (m) !! River bed level at dam site (MSL) (m) !! Head race tunnel length (km) !! Tail race tunnel length (m) !! Tail water level (MSL) (m)
|-
| 1 || Badrinath || 1.25 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 2 || Tapovan || 0.8 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 3 || Tharali || 0.4 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 4 || Tilwara || 0.2 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 5 || Urgam || 3 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 6 || Vishnuprayag || 400 || operational || 14 || || || 11.323 || ||
|-
| 7 || Kaliganga-I || 4 || under construction || || || || || ||
|-
| 8 || Kaliganga-II || 6 || under construction || || || || || ||
|-
| 9 || Koti Bhel IB || 320 || under construction || 90 || 521 || 452.5 || || 230 || 463.2
|-
| 10 || Koti Bhel II || 530 || under construction || 82 || 458.5 || 401.4 || || 390 || 411.1
|-
| 11 || Madhamaheshwar || 10 || under construction || || || || || ||
|-
| 12 || Tapovan Vishnugad || 520 || under construction || 22 || 803.5 || || || 513 || 1267
|-
| 13 || [[Srinagar Hydroelectric Project|Srinagar]]|| 330 || operational || || || || || ||
|-
| 14 || Singoli Bhatwari || 99 || under construction || || || || || ||
|}
There are 23 other proposed projects in the Alaknanda river basin through which the power-potential of the Alaknanda and its tributaries can be harnessed. The proposed 23 hydel-projects are as follows -
# Alaknanda ([[Badrinath]]) (300 MW)
# Bagoli (72 MW)
# Bowla Nandprayag (132 MW)
# Chuni Semi (60 MW)
# Deodi (60 MW)
# Devsari Dam (255 MW)
# [[Gauri Kund|Gaurikund]] (18.6 MW)
# Gohana Tal (60 MW)
# Jelam Tamak (60 MW)
# Karnaprayag (160 MW)
# Lakshmanganga (4.4 MW)
# Lata Tapovan (310 MW)
# Maleri Jelam (55 MW)
# Nandprayag Langasu (141 MW)
# Padli Dam (27 MW)
# Phata-Byung (10.8 MW)
# Rambara (24 MW)
# [[Rishiganga]] I (70 MW)
# Rishiganga II (35 MW)
# Tamak Lata (280 MW)
# Urgam II (3.8 MW)
# Utyasu Dam (860 MW)
# Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image: Rudraprayag - Confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini.JPG|[[Rudraprayag]] - [[confluence]] of Alaknanda and [[Mandakini River|Mandakini]]
Image:Alaknanda near Srinagar.JPG|Alaknanda river near the town of Srinagar in Uttarakhand
Image: Devprayag - Confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda.JPG|Alaknanda joins [[Bhagirathi]] at [[Devprayag]] to form the [[Ganges]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[2013 North India floods]]
* [[2021 Uttarakhand flood]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12086/Alaknanda-River Alaknanda River] ''[[Britannica.com]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090520150732/http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/chamoli/prayags.aspx Prayags] at ''GMVN''

{{Hydrography of Uttarakhand}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rivers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Ganges]]
[[Category:Geography of Chamoli district]]
[[Category:Rafting]]
[[Category:Adventure tourism in India]]
[[Category:Rudraprayag district]]
[[Category:Pauri Garhwal district]]

Alaknanda River - Revision history

KatherinLigertwo at 17:09, 27 March 2026