| Pravara | |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | India |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Maharashtra |
| Subdivision Type4: | District |
| Subdivision Name4: | Ahmednagar |
| Subdivision Type5: | Cities |
| Subdivision Name5: | Sangamner, Nevasa |
| Length: | 208km (129miles) |
| Source1: | Sahayadris |
| Source1 Location: | Ahmednagar, Nahik Subdivision, Maharashtra, India |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 19.5292°N 73.7514°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 750m (2,460feet) |
| Mouth: | Godavari River |
| Mouth Location: | Pravara Sangam, Ahmednagar, Nahik Subdivision, Maharashtra, India |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 19.6167°N 75.0167°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 531m (1,742feet) |
| Basin Size: | 6537km2 |
| Tributaries Left: | Waki, Mahalungi |
| Tributaries Right: | Mula |
The Pravara is the smallest of the major tributaries of Godavari river located in Maharashtra, India. Among the 7 major tributaries, it is the only tributary which originates in the Western Ghats akin to Godavari. Also, it is the only major tributary of Godavari to have both its source and confluence located within the same district - Ahmednagar.
As per Indian Vedas,[1] Sage Agastya meditated by consuming only water and air for a long tenure. Due to his incredible devotion, Lord Shiva appeared, blessed him, and left a stream of Ganga that came to be known as the Pravara River.
The Pravara rises on the eastern slopes of the Sahayadris between Kulang and Ratangad mountains in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra.[2]
Close to its origin the river flows into the town of Bhandardara. Here, the Bhandardara Dam is constructed across the river forming the Arthur Lake. The gates of the dam are periodically opened, to allow drownstream flow of the Pravara, giving rise to the Umbrella Falls. From hereon the river takes an east ward course and 58 km downstream, reaches another city- Sangamner, where the river Mahalungi converges with it. This is the second largest city within the Ahmednagar District. Continuing eastwards, the river is joined by another tributary, this time on its right bank: River Mula. The river then, reaches the town of Nevasa and flows 12 km to the east where it finally empties itself into the Godavari River at Pravara Sangam[3] located from its source of origin.
In its short run, the river acquires water from two main tributaries : Mahalungi and Mula.