The Cauvery River is one of the most important peninsular rivers of India, both geographically and politically. For UPSC aspirants, it is a high-yield topic because it connects physical geography, river basins, dams, inter-state water disputes, agriculture, and ecology.
Let’s break down the Cauvery river system in a clear, exam-friendly way.
Contents
Origin and Course of the Cauvery River
The Cauvery River originates in the Western Ghats, from the Talakaveri region in the Brahmagiri Hills of Karnataka.
It flows through:
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
and finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.
The river follows an eastward path and looks like a saucepan handle on the map — curving around the Western Ghats before flowing across the Deccan Plateau into Tamil Nadu.
Important Tributaries of the Cauvery
Upper Course (Near Mysuru)
Three rivers join near Mysuru:
- Hemavathi
- Lakshmanathirtha
- Talakaveri stream
Here we find the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, one of the most important reservoirs in Karnataka.
Right Bank Tributaries (From the South)
These rivers originate mainly from the Nilgiri Hills and Palani Hills:
| River | Origin | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Kabini | Wayanad Plateau, Western Ghats | Joins Cauvery near Shivanasamudra |
| Bhavani | Nilgiri Hills | Has Bhavanisagar Dam |
| Noyyal | Nilgiri region | Joins near Karur |
| Amaravati | Palani Hills | Important irrigation river |
These rivers bring heavy rainfall and make the southern Cauvery basin fertile.
Left Bank Tributaries (From the North)
| River | Source | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Shimsha | Deccan Plateau | Joins Cauvery near Shivanasamudra |
Important Dams on the Cauvery
Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam
- Located near Mysuru
- Key irrigation and water supply source for Karnataka
Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir)
- Located in Tamil Nadu
- Built where Cauvery enters Tamil Nadu
- Controls water flow between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- Located near Hogenakkal Falls
This dam is at the heart of the Cauvery Water Dispute.
Waterfalls on the Cauvery
Shivanasamudra Falls
One of India’s earliest hydroelectric projects
Built to supply power to the Kolar Gold Fields
Hogenakkal Falls
- Near Mettur Dam
- Example of waterfalls in the lower course of peninsular rivers
Unlike Himalayan rivers, peninsular rivers have waterfalls even in their lower course due to plateau structure.
Cauvery Delta
The Cauvery forms a wide delta in Tamil Nadu, draining into the Bay of Bengal near:
- Cuddalore
- Puducherry
This delta is known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu.
Important note for UPSC:
Chennai is NOT part of the Cauvery delta.
It lies further north on a different river system.
National Parks in the Cauvery Basin
The Cauvery basin is also an important ecological zone.
Major protected areas include:
- Nagarhole National Park
- Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary
- Biligiri Ranganatha (BRT) Tiger Reserve
These parks lie along the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border and are often asked in map-based questions.
Why the Cauvery is UPSC-important
The Cauvery links:
- Western Ghats
- Peninsular river system
- Inter-state water disputes
- Irrigation geography
- National parks and biodiversity
That makes it relevant for:
- Prelims map questions
- GS-1 Physical Geography
- GS-3 Water resources & agriculture
Check out our GS Geography Course – Click Here
FAQs
- #CauveryRiver: Where does the Cauvery River originate and which states does it flow through?
- #CauveryTributaries: What are the major tributaries of the Cauvery River and their sources?
- #MetturDam: Why is Mettur Dam important in the Cauvery water dispute?
- #CauveryDelta: Where is the Cauvery delta located and why is it called the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu?
