The Sarju (
Kumaoni: सरज्यू,
Hindi: सरयू), also known as Saryu, is a major river draining Central
Kumaon region in the
Indian state of
Uttarakhand. Originating from Sarmul, Sarju flows through the cities of Kapkot, Bageshwar and Seraghat before joining Mahakali at Pancheshwar. The Sarju is the largest tributary of the
Sharda River. The river forms the South-eastern border between the districts of
Pithoragarh and
Almora. Temperate and sub-Tropical forests cover the entire
Catchment area of the River.
Course
The Sarju rises at a place known as Sarmul (or Sarmool), which is located in the extreme north of the
Bageshwar district
Bageshwar is a district of Uttarakhand state in northern India. The town of Bageshwar is the district headquarters. Prior to its establishment as a district in 1997 it was part of Almora district.
Bageshwar district is in Kumaon, and is bounded ...
of
Uttarakhand. The source of the river is situated at on the southern slope of a ridge of the
Nanda Kot and is separated on the east from the source of
Ramganga
Ramganga is a tributary of the river Ganges, originating in Uttarakhand state, India.
Ramganga West
Ramganga West River originates from Dudhatoli or Doodhatoli ranges
Course
The Ramganga River originates in the southern slopes of Dudhato ...
and on the west from the sources of Kuphini (the eastern branch of
Pindar river) by spurs leading down from the mass culminating at the Nanda Kot peak. It flows initially around in southwest direction by the
Kumaon Himalayas where it receives Kanalgadh stream from the right and Punger river from the left. About further downstream, the river receives Lahor river from the right. Then the river turns towards south and flows through the city of
Bageshwar, where it receives
Gomati from the right.
The Sarju flows to the lower 65 km in mainly southeastern direction. Much of the drainage of Gangoli region of
Pithoragarh district flows into the river via Bhadrapatigad stream, which flows into it from the left. Similarly, several streams join it from right draining much of the Chaugarkha region situated in
Almora district; notable ones being Gatgadh, Jalairgadh, Bhaurgadh, Alaknadi and Saniaungadh. About downstream from its confluence with Gomati in Bageshwar, it receives the Panar river from the right. A small river Jaingan gets merge into Sarju river at Seraghat in Almora-Pithoragarh border. About five Km further downstream, at above its mouth,
Ramganga
Ramganga is a tributary of the river Ganges, originating in Uttarakhand state, India.
Ramganga West
Ramganga West River originates from Dudhatoli or Doodhatoli ranges
Course
The Ramganga River originates in the southern slopes of Dudhato ...
meets the left side on the Sarju at Rameshwar, situated at an elevation of . Finally Sarju reaches at
Pancheshwar
Pancheshwar is a village development committee in Baitadi District in the Mahakali Zone of western Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2,951 and had 510 houses in the village. It is located at the confluence of Sarju ...
at the Nepalese border to
Sharda River after travelling a total of .
Geology
Sarju transfers a sedimental load of 498.4 kg/sec during the peak of raining season.
Tributaries
Gomati
Gomati river originates in the higher reaches of Bhatkot and merges into Sarju at
Bageshwar. It flows through the
Katyur Valley which constitutes a major Agricultural zone of
Kumaon.
Kuloor
The Kuloor river rises above the Bhadrkali Temple near
Sani-Udiyar
Sani Udiyar is a village situated in Kanda Tehsil in Bageshwar district in the State of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at a distance of from Kanda and from Bageshwar. Sani Udiyar is a medium-sized village with total 88 families residing. It ...
, and flows through Rawatsera, Bans Patan and Ganai Gangoli, before joining the Sarju at Seraghat.
Punger
Punger river rises near village Sangar and joins Sarju from the left at Sartana.
Lahor
Lahor is a small river that joins Sarju from the right.
Panar
Panar originates on the northern slopes of the Mornaula Range, south-east of
Almora. Panar joins Sarju near Rameshwar.
Ramganga
Ramganga East is the largest tributary of Sarju. It originates from the
Namik Glacier
Namik Glacier is situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India.
Geography
The glacier is situated on the Kumaon Himalayas at an altitude of . This glacier is the source of the Ramganga River. The glacier is surrounded b ...
in
Pithoragarh district of
Uttarakhand and flows towards Southeast. The river is fed by numerous small and big rivers and finally joins river Sarju at Rameshwar.
[Negi, Himalayan Rivers, Lakes, and Glaciers, pg-48]
Gallery
File:Camping on saryu river - panoramio.jpg, Camping on saryu river
File:Saryu Bageshwar 02.jpg, Saryu river at Bageshwar
File:Saryu river - panoramio.jpg, Close-up view of Sarju water flowing
File:Saryu Bageshwar.jpg, Saryu river at Bageshwar
File:Saryu Jhula Pul 05.jpg, Suspension Bridge over Saryu river at Bageshwar
References
Notes
Bibliography
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{{Hydrography of Uttarakhand
Rivers of Uttarakhand
Rivers of India