Sindhu River - सिंधु नदी

km River Name Sindhu River, Indus Length of River 3,200 km (2,000 mi) approx. Course Tibetan Plateau, Tibet,Northwestern Frontiers of Indian Subcontinent, China, North India and South India Starting Point Kailash Mountain near Mansarovar in Tibet, Kailash Mountain near Mansarovar in Tibet. Ending Point Arabian Sea near Pakistan's port city Karachi, Leh - Ladakh Points of Interest Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, China, India, Pakistan Starting Coordinates Major Tributaries Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum, Beas and Sarasvati River, Wikipedia Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_River

Photo by : parikshit2007 in flickr More Images

Originating from Kailash mountain, it covers 550 kms in Jammu and Kashmir. From there it enters Leh, and gets mingled with Zanzkar river. In Punjab it is met with five major rivers of Punjab - Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj.

In Sanskrit, the river Sindhu means Ocean. This river goes back to the Age when Jayadratha, son of Vriddhakshatra was the ruler of the Sindu Kingdom. It was the time of famous Hindu Epic Mahabharata. And from here, the lands of Sindh came the name of the River Sindhu. Indus Valley Civilization came into existence only after the river Sindhu paved way for them.

The word Sindhu originates from the word sidh meaning to keep off. The river Sindhu has been mentioned 176 times in Rigveda, 95 times in plural, used in the generic meaning. In Rigveda - the Ancient Indian Scripture( 1500 B.C.), is the earliest chronicle of Aryans. Aryans were the people from whom the name of the country evolved and came to be known as Hindustan to the entire world.

There is a lot of political significance to the River Sindhu due to its geographical location. It runs along the Indo - China Border. Entering India from the south eastern Ladakh near the river Gutang at an altitude of 4,200 ft from sea; it follows the northwest course in the Ladakh Range and Zanzkar Range in the South. The main tributeries of the Sindhu River in the Ladakh Region of Jammu and Kashmir are Hanle River, Gurtang River, Shigar River, Shigar (South) River, Shyok River, Gilgit River, And Astor. In India it mingles with Ganges in the end. Nubra and Drass Rivers too act as tributaries to Sindhu River.

Things to See

Sindhu Darshan Festival : This Festival, also known as Indus (according to the Indus River which originated the Sindhu River), is held every year in the month of June in Leh and Ladakh. The Sindhu Darshan Festival projects Sindhu as a symbol of multi-dimensional cultural identity, communal harmony and peaceful co-existence in India. This festival is also a salute to the brave soldiers of Kargil, Siachin and other High Altitude places. Filled with colors of harmony, its a must watch festival for those who land in Leh and Ladakh in June. This festival is held on Guru Poornima Day.

Monasteries : The places from where Sindhu Passes - Leh and Ladakh are famous for its Buddhist Monasteries. These Monasteries are a symbol of Buddhist Culture. A must see for anyone visiting Leh and Ladakh.

Suggestions

Leh and Ladakh are a high Cold Zones. November to Mid March are cold - freeze months. Until and unless you can tolerate minus temperatures, you should avoid being here in these months. If you enter Leh and Ladakh in these months, it is impossible to move out before March.

Reaching Leh and Ladakh is only by Road. Trains can take you upto Jammu, after that one has to go by Road. The Indian Airlines go up to Srinagar Airport. After that, one has to take a Taxi or go by bus.

Food is not easily available in peak winter seasons. In rest of the seasons, both Vegetarian and Non - Vegetarian Food is easily available.

March to June are the best months to be in Leh Ladakh. September - November too are good months to be here.

Take a large number of warm clothes, if you are going in winter season. In other months, Leh and Ladakh are beautiful places to be in.

Keep all your belongings with you. Take minimum luggage while on excursion. Keep your important documents in the Hotel Locker.

Do not pass out any information about your Passport and Travelers Cheque with anyone.

For further queries, contact us.

It roared and spread itself, but it never hurt!
If time were called upon to tell a story, it would perhaps choose the banks of river Indus to do so. Here, the history of India could well be marked, both chronologically and historically.

The Legends It has believed by the early Tibetans that this forceful and full river that guarded the frontiers of united India rises from the lake Mansarovar in Tibet. A few expeditions later, it was discovered that the Indus actually originates a few kilometres north of lake Mansarovar and together with it arise the Brahmaputra and the river Sutlej, through Mansarovar.

Metaphorically, the four rivers that separated from this area were described as rising out of certain animals mouths, thereby ascribing the qualities to the river. The Pakshu went westward in the beginning and then came out of a horse's mouth to the east to be called the Brahmaputra. The Sita went southwards in the beginning and then came out of a lion's mouth to the north to be called the river Sindhu. The Ganga came out of an elephant's mouth and the Karnali from a peacock's mouth.

The waters of the river Brahmaputra are cold and it is said that the one who drinks these waters would become sturdy as a horse. The waters of the Indus are warm and it is said that the one who drinks from it would become heroic like a lion. Does that explain why invaders to India always conquered after stopping to quench their thirst at the Indus?.

Legend has it that those who drink the waters of the Ganges would become as worthy as the elephant: with good memory, sense of gratitude, strong and auspicious. Similarly those who drink the waters of Karnali would be come as beautiful as the peacock. It is said these four rivers circle seven times around Kailash (also spelt as Kailas), the divine residence of Lord Shiva (also spelt as Siva), before gurgling down.