India is a land of diverse geographical features, and its rivers, lakes, and waterfalls play a crucial role in shaping the country’s natural beauty, agriculture, culture, and economy.

From the mighty Ganga in the north to the serene Vembanad Lake in the south, and from the thunderous Dudhsagar Falls to the elegant Dal Lake, these water bodies are not only vital for life and livelihood but are also frequently featured in competitive exams and general knowledge sections.

This article presents a comprehensive list of the major rivers, important lakes, and well-known waterfalls across India.

Major Rivers in India

RiverOriginFlows ThroughEnds In
GangaGangotri Glacier, UttarakhandUP, Bihar, Jharkhand, WBBay of Bengal
YamunaYamunotri Glacier, UttarakhandHimachal, UP, Delhi, HaryanaGanga (at Allahabad)
BrahmaputraAngsi Glacier, TibetArunachal, AssamBay of Bengal
IndusTibet (China)Ladakh, PakistanArabian Sea
GodavariTrimbak Plateau, MaharashtraMP, Odisha, Telangana, APBay of Bengal
KrishnaMahabaleshwar, MaharashtraKarnataka, Telangana, APBay of Bengal
CauveryTalakaveri, KarnatakaTamil NaduBay of Bengal
NarmadaAmarkantak, MPMP, GujaratArabian Sea
TapiSatpura, MPMP, Maharashtra, GujaratArabian Sea
MahanadiChhattisgarhOdishaBay of Bengal
SutlejRakshastal Lake, TibetPunjab (via Himachal)Indus River
BeasHimachal PradeshPunjabSutlej River

More Rivers (Tributaries & Region-Specific):

RiverNotes
GhagharaTributary of Ganga (from Nepal)
KosiKnown as “Sorrow of Bihar”
BetwaFlows through MP, UP
ChambalTributary of Yamuna
GandakFrom Nepal to Bihar
SabarmatiGujarat
PeriyarKerala’s longest river
TeestaSikkim and WB
Damodar“Sorrow of Bengal”

Major Lakes in India

Lake NameLocationType
Wular LakeJammu & KashmirFreshwater (largest in India)
Dal LakeJammu & KashmirFreshwater
Chilika LakeOdishaBrackish (largest lagoon)
Vembanad LakeKeralaBrackish
Loktak LakeManipurFreshwater (has floating islands/phumdis)
Sambhar LakeRajasthanSaltwater
Pulicat LakeAndhra Pradesh/TNBrackish
Naini LakeUttarakhandFreshwater (hill lake)
Pangong LakeLadakhSaltwater (partially in China)
Tso Moriri LakeLadakhHigh-altitude freshwater

Other Notable Lakes:

LakeLocationType
Surinsar LakeJ&KFreshwater
BhimtalUttarakhandFreshwater
Tsomgo (Changu)SikkimGlacial
Ashtamudi LakeKeralaBrackish
Kanwar LakeBiharOxbow lake

Famous Waterfalls in India

Waterfall NameLocationRiver / FeatureSpecial Fact
Jog FallsKarnatakaSharavathi RiverSecond-highest plunge in India
Dudhsagar FallsGoa-Karnataka BorderMandovi RiverAppears like flowing milk
Athirappilly FallsKeralaChalakudy River“Niagara of India”
Shivanasamudra FallsKarnatakaCauvery RiverFirst hydro-electric project in India
Bhimlat FallsRajasthanChambal RiverOasis in desert
Hundru FallsJharkhandSubarnarekha RiverFamous picnic spot
Chitrakote FallsChhattisgarhIndravati RiverLargest waterfall in India by width
Nohkalikai FallsMeghalayaRainwater-fedTallest plunge waterfall in India
Kempty FallsUttarakhandMussoorieTourist favorite
Barehipani FallsOdishaBudhabalanga RiverTwo-tiered waterfall

Additional Waterfalls to Include:

WaterfallLocationFeature
Hogenakkal FallsTN (Cauvery River)“Niagara of South India”
Sita FallsJharkhandPicnic spot
Magod FallsKarnatakaWestern Ghats
Meenmutty FallsKerala3-tier waterfall
Patalpani FallsMPMonsoon-fed
Dhuandhar FallsMP (Jabalpur)Narmada River

Highlights

  • Major Rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, etc.
  • Important Lakes: Wular, Dal, Chilika, Vembanad, Sambhar, Loktak, Pangong, etc.
  • Famous Waterfalls: Jog, Dudhsagar, Athirappilly, Chitrakote, Nohkalikai, Shivanasamudra, etc.

Quick Static GK Facts

  • Longest river in India (within India): Ganga
  • Largest lake (freshwater): Wular Lake
  • Largest lake (brackish water): Chilika Lake
  • Tallest waterfall in India: Nohkalikai Falls (Meghalaya, 340 m)
  • River with the largest basin in India: Ganga
  • Only river that flows west in Rajasthan: Luni
  • River forming estuary: Narmada & Tapi
  • Longest river in southern India: Godavari
  • Largest man-made lake: Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam)