Kaveri | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | India |
State | Madhya Pradesh |
Physical characteristics | |
Mouth | [Narmada River] |
• location | Near Omkareshwar |
• coordinates | 22°13′55″N 76°10′14″E / 22.231973°N 76.170469°E |
• elevation | 173 m |
Length | 40 km (25 mi) |
Basin size | 954 km2 (368 sq mi) |
Basin features | |
River system | Narmada |
Kaveri is a tributary of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, India. It has a length of 40 km, and a catchment area of 954 km2. [1]
The Kaveri river meets the Narmada river near Mandhata ( Omkareshwar), around 882 km from Narmada's source. [1] The Narmada Mahatmya texts, which glorify the Narmada river, extol the confluence (sangam) of Narmada and Kaveri as a holy place ( tirtha). Along with its bigger namesake in the South, the Kaveri river of Madhya Pradesh has been mentioned in the Matsya and the Kurma Puranas. [2]
The Matsya and the Padma Puranas declare: [2]
The junction of the Kaveri and Narmada is famed throughout the world; it destroys all sins; one should bathe there because the Kaveri is very sacred and the Narmada is a great river; whatever benefit a man may gain between the Ganges and Yamuna (that is, at Prayaga), the same accrues to him when he bathes at the Kaveri-sangama.
According to the Matsya Purana, Kubera performed a tapas in honour of Shiva at the confluence of Kaveri and Narmada, which made him the lord of yakshas. [3] The Kurma Purana also similarly praises the confluence, declaring that it destroys guilts. It recommends that one should bathe and worship Shiva at this confluence. [4] The Agni Purana also mentions a Kaveri sangama, which F. E. Pargiter identifies with the Kaveri-Narmada confluence. [2]