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Chenab River

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The Chenab River is a huge and important river. It flows through India and Pakistan. This river is one of five major rivers in the Punjab region.

Confluence Chandra Bhaga Lahaul Oct22 A7C 03346
Confluence Chandra Bhaga Lahaul Oct22 A7C 03346

It starts in the high Himalayas. Two rivers called the Chandra and the Bhaga join together to make it. They meet at a place called Tandi in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Bhaga River in Keylong, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh
Bhaga River in Keylong, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh

The Bhaga river starts at Surya taal lake. The Chandra river starts from glaciers near the Bara-lacha la pass. This pass separates the two rivers.

The river travels through many different places. It flows through the Pangi valley in the Chamba district. Then it moves through the Jammu region in India. It passes through many districts like Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, and Jammu.

River Chenab bank view32
River Chenab bank view32

After that, the river enters Pakistan. It flows through the Punjab province. Finally, it joins the Sutlej River. This joining creates a new river called the Panjnad. The Panjnad flows into the Indus River at Mithankot.

People have known about this river for a very long time. Ancient books like the Rigveda call it by different names. One name meant the water looked dark in color. In the Mahabharata, it was called Chandrabhaga. This was because of the two rivers that make it.

Salaldam
Salaldam

Ancient Greeks also had names for it. One name they used was Akesínes. In 325 BCE, Alexander the Great allegedly founded a town called Alexandria near the Indus. A famous battle between Sikhs and Afghans also happened on the river banks.

Today, the river is used in special ways. India and Pakistan share the water using the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This treaty says the water belongs to Pakistan. However, India can use the water for things like making electricity. These are called "non-consumptive" uses.

Sunset at Head Marala
Sunset at Head Marala

India has built three big projects called Salal, Baglihar, and Dul Hasti. These are "run-of-the-river" projects. They can store a certain amount of water to make power. In Pakistan, the river is very important for irrigation to grow food.

The river has even changed its path over time. Before the year 1245, it flowed east of Multan. Later, the Beas River took over that old path. By the year 1397, the Chenab shifted to flow west of Multan.

Trimmu Head where Jhelum and Chenab meet in Jhang
Trimmu Head where Jhelum and Chenab meet in Jhang

This shows how much the land can change. The river remains a vital part of life for many people. It connects different lands and helps many living things thrive.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Bhaga River in Keylong, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh.jpg
Bhaga River in Keylong, Lahaul, Himachal...
File:Confluence Chandra Bhaga Lahaul Oct22 A7C 03346.jpg
Confluence Chandra Bhaga Lahaul Oct22 A7C...
File:Trimmu_Head_where_Jhelum_and_Chenab_meet_in_Jhang.jpg
Trimmu_Head_where_Jhelum_and_Chenab_meet_i...
File:River_Chenab_bank_view32.jpg
River_Chenab_bank_view32.jpg
File:Salaldam.jpg
Salaldam.jpg
File:Sunset at Head Marala.jpg
Sunset at Head Marala.jpg
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