Banganga River: Origin, Tributaries, Basin, Dams and Concerns

Banganga river

Banganga River originates from the Bairath hills in Jaipur. It passes through Modhapur, Bharatpur and Fatehabad and drains into Yamuna. Jamwa Ramgarh dam has been constructed across the river in Jaipur. The river Banganga has its multiple tributary rivers like Gumti Nala, and Suri rivers on the right side banks and Palasan and Sanwan rivers are on the left bank.

Banganga River Summary Sheet

Origin Bairath hills in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Length 380 Kms
Discharge Yamuna near Agra
States & Major Cities
  • Rajasthan: Dausa and Bharatpur
  • Uttar Pradesh:
Right Bank Tributaries Gumti Nala, and Suri rivers
Left Bank Tributaries Palasan and Sanwan
Major Dams Ramgarh Dam

Banganga in Culture-Mythology

It is believed that Pandav brothers of epic Mahabharat stayed at Bairath kingdom during their one year of secret exile. Arjun made the river flow when he stuck an arrow in the earth to meet water shortage in the region. The place is famous for the Banganga fair, which is held on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May) every year.

Banganga Course:

Banganga originates from Bairath in Jaipur district. It flows towards the south, through Ramgarh, up to the village of Ghat, then towards east through partly hilly and partly plain terrain in Dausa and enters Vair tehsil  in Bharatpur. Its waster spreads out into several channels in Bharatpur. One of the main channel is diverted to Ajan Band (Bharatpur), which is also source of supply of water for Keoladev National Park. The river eventually flows up to Fatehbad in Agra district (Uttar Pradesh), where it flows into Yamuna.

A few studies have suggested that Banganga might have been part of the Ghaggar-Yamuna system. It might have been connected directly to Yamuna or through Chambal. Owing to some obstruction or neo-tectonic activities around Bharatpur, the flow was disrupted.

Another theory suggests that Yamuna suddenly migrated eastward and Banganga and another possible tributary, Sahibi, could not cope up with that pace. Now, both these rivers flood the area of Bharatpur and Farrukhnagar respectively.

Banganga Basin:

Banganga River Basin is located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan state with a total catchment area of 8,878.7 sq km. It is bounded by Ruparail and Sabi in its north; and the Shekhawati Basin in its west and the Gambhir and Banas River Basins in its south-southwest. The eastern border of the basin is marked by the Yamuna River Basin in Uttar Pradesh. Administratively, Banganga River Basin extends over parts of Alwar, Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur and Bharatpur Districts.

Banganga Tributaries:

The main tributaries are Gumti Nalla and Suri River, joining the river on its right bank, and Sanwan and Palasan Rivers meeting the river on its left bank.

Suri River:

  • Suri River originates in hills near Kanst village in Dausa and joins Banganga near Kailai Village.

Sanwan River:

  • Sanwan river originates in hills near Angri village in Alwar district and joins banganga near village juthiara.

Palasan River

  • Palasan river orginates in the hills near Rajpura village in Alwar district and joins banganga near village Indiana.

Dams on Banganga River:

  • Jamwa Ramgarh dam has been constructed across the banganga river in Jaipur.
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