Chitravathi
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Overview
The Chitravathi rises in the Nandi Hills area of Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, and flows north into Anantapur and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh, where it joins the Penna.
It is a seasonal river of the dry Rayalaseema region, and the Chitravathi Balancing Reservoir stores water on it.
The Puttaparthi pilgrimage town lies on the banks of the Chitravathi.
Geography and key facts
- Tributary of the Penna
- Rises near the Nandi Hills, Karnataka
- Flows through Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh
- Seasonal; Chitravathi Balancing Reservoir
Why it matters for UPSC
Several rivers start in the Nandi Hills – Arkavathi, Chitravathi, Penna (Pennar) and Palar. Useful for a radial-drainage question.
Note for UPSC
A Penna tributary in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Prelims asks about tributaries, the states a river flows through, its basin and the projects on it, so trace the course on the map.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Chitravathi yet.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
- River system
- Peninsular
- Basin
- East-flowing (south)
- Extent on map
- 13.6°–14.8°N, 77.7°–78.2°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Physical Features and Drainage of India (map lesson)
- Drainage Systems of India: Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers (map lesson)