Varuna River Explained

Varuna River
Pushpin Map:India Uttar Pradesh
Pushpin Map Caption:The confluence of Varuna and Ganga in Uttar Pradesh
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Type2:State
Subdivision Name2:Uttar Pradesh
Length:202km (126miles)
Mouth:Ganges
Mouth Location:Adikeshav Ghat, Sarai Mohana, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh
Mouth Coordinates:25.329°N 83.044°W

The Varuna River is a minor tributary of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, India. It originates at Phulpur in the Prayagraj district and merges into the Ganges near Sarai Mohana in the Varanasi district.[1] The 6km (04miles) stretch between Sarai Mohana and Sadar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is prone to flooding.[2] The name 'Varanasi' is originated from the name of two rivers, Varuna and Assi.

According to the Vamana Purana, the river was created by the gods alongside the Assi River. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata.

Varuna derives its name from Varuna, a Hindu god who is associated with sky, oceans and water. The river originates from Melhum at Phulpur in Prayagraj district. Spanning a distance of around 100 kilometers, it flows in an east to southeast direction before merging with the Ganges at Sarai Mohana near Varanasi.[1]

It covers a distance of twelve kilometers from the western part of Jaunpur district, near the town of Mungerabad Shahpur, and eventually joins the Ganga River in Varanasi after a journey of 202 kilometers.[3]

In February 2023, Denmark and Uttar Pradesh government signed a Rs 1,000 crore MoU for cleaning the Ganga River and its tributary, Varuna.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: VDA: Source of salvation languishing in neglect . 12 October 2019 . The Times of India . 18 December 2012 . en.
  2. News: Flood situation grim in UP, 3,000 moved to camps . 12 October 2019 . . 21 August 2016 . en.
  3. News: तीन जिलों की सरहद से वरुणा का उद्गम. Jagran. May 28, 2013.
  4. News: MoU with Denmark for lab in Varanasi to ensure clean Ganga . The Statesman . February 10, 2023.