Godavari
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Overview
The Godavari rises at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik and is the longest peninsular river, often called the "Dakshin Ganga". It flows east across Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and, like the Mahanadi, Krishna and Kaveri, builds a delta on the Bay of Bengal.
It also matters in ancient history: Ashmaka was the only Mahajanapada south of the Vindhyas, on the Godavari, and Pratishthana (Paithan) stood on its banks. A Godavari water disputes tribunal was set up in 1969.
Geography and key facts
- Source: Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik (Maharashtra)
- Longest peninsular river ("Dakshin Ganga")
- East-flowing; forms a delta on the Bay of Bengal
- Ashmaka, the only southern Mahajanapada, lay on the Godavari
- Water disputes tribunal: 1969
Why it matters for UPSC
Questions ask for its tributaries (2015), the north-to-south order of east-flowing rivers (2002), the length order of peninsular rivers (2003) and where the big rivers rise (2006). History papers link it with Ashmaka (2025).
Note for UPSC
Rises at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik; the longest peninsular river ("Dakshin Ganga").
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
- UPSC Prelims 2025 · Q17With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs : Territorial region : River flowing in the region I. Asmaka : Godavari II. Kamboja : Vipas III…
- UPSC Prelims 2021 · Q49Which one of the following statements is correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 2016 · Q85Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?…
- UPSC Prelims 2015 · Q36Consider the following rivers : Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?…
- UPSC Prelims 2008 · Q51Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Waterfalls — River Select the correct answer using the code given below:…
- UPSC Prelims 2006 · Q70Which one of the following statements is not correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 2003 · Q78What is the correct sequence of the rivers—Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmada and Tapti in the descending order of their lengths?…
- UPSC Prelims 2002 · Q89The correct sequence of the eastward flowing rivers of the peninsular India from north to south is…
- UPSC Prelims 2000 · Q52Which one of the following statements is not true?…
- UPSC Prelims 1997 · Q23The Alamatti Dam is on the river…
- UPSC Prelims 1996 · Q19Which one of the following rivers thrice forks into two streams and reunites a few miles farther on, thus forming the islands of Srirangapattnam, Sivasamudram and Srirang…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Godavari.
Key facts
- Type
- River
- States / UTs on its course
- Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
- River system
- Peninsular
- Basin
- Godavari
- Extent on map
- 16.3°–20.1°N, 73.5°–82.4°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 11 questions · 2025, 2021, 2016, 2015, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1997, 1996
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.