Kaveri
The Ganga of South India
Geographical Details
Basic Information
- Source:
- Talakaveri, Coorg, Karnataka
- Length:
- 765 km
- Basin Area:
- 81,155 km²
- Mouth:
- Bay of Bengal
- States:
- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry
Sacred Geography
- • Talakaveri: Sacred source in Western Ghats
- • Srirangapatna: Island town, Tipu Sultan's capital
- • Mysore: Royal city on the banks
- • Srirangam: Largest functioning Hindu temple
- • Thanjavur: Cultural capital of Tamil Nadu
- • Poompuhar: Ancient port at the mouth
Cultural & Religious Significance
Ganga of the South
Kaveri is revered as the "Ganga of the South" and is considered one of the most sacred rivers in South India. According to legend, the river was created when Sage Agastya's kamandalu (water pot) was overturned by Lord Ganesha in the form of a crow. The river is personified as Goddess Kaveri and is worshipped throughout South India. The river has been the lifeline of ancient Tamil and Kannada civilizations and continues to be central to the cultural identity of the region.
Sacred Festivals
- • Kaveri Sankramana: Birth of the river celebration
- • Tula Sankramana: Sacred bathing festival
- • Adi Perukku: Tamil monsoon festival
- • Makar Sankranti: Harvest festival
Temple Complexes
- • Srirangam: Largest Vishnu temple complex
- • Talakaveri: Source temple in Coorg
- • Srirangapatna: Historic temple town
- • Kumbakonam: Temple city on the banks
Major Tributaries
Left Bank Tributaries
- Harangi: Major tributary in Karnataka
- Hemavati: Important tributary with dam
- Shimsha: Flows through Karnataka
Right Bank Tributaries
- Arkavathi: Flows near Bangalore
- Bhavani: Major tributary in Tamil Nadu
- Noyyal: Flows through Coimbatore
Scriptural References
Skanda Purana
"Among all rivers of the South, Kaveri is the most sacred. She grants prosperity, removes sins, and blesses devotees with spiritual liberation."
Tamil Literature
"Kaveri is praised in ancient Tamil literature as 'Ponni' (the golden one) and is considered the mother of Tamil civilization and culture."
Kannada Literature
"In Kannada tradition, Kaveri is revered as 'Cauvery Amma' (Mother Kaveri) and is central to the cultural and spiritual identity of Karnataka."
Complete Kaveri Information
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