Which river is widely known as ‘Dakshin Ganga’ (Ganga of the South)?
a) Kaveri
b) Godavari
c) Krishna
d) Mahanadi
Answer: b) Godavari
Explanation
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Dakshin Ganga: The Godavari river is known as Dakshin Ganga (Ganga of the South) because of its vast size, large catchment basin, and age among Peninsular Indian rivers. It is the longest river in Peninsular India (1,465 km).
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Origin & Course: Originates at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, flowing east across the Deccan Plateau before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
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Note on Kaveri: The Kaveri river is often referred to as the “Ganga of South India” primarily due to its spiritual significance and sanctity in southern culture. However, in standard Indian Geography reference books (like NCERT), Godavari is explicitly designated as Dakshin Ganga.
Overview of Other Options
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a) Kaveri (800 km): Originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Range of Karnataka. Known for its perennial nature fed by both south-west and north-east monsoons.
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c) Krishna (1,400 km): Originates near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra; it is the second-longest east-flowing peninsular river after Godavari.
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d) Mahanadi (851 km): Originates in the highlands of Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha; home to the famous Hirakud Dam.
