Mahananda River | |
Countries | India, Bangladesh |
---|---|
States | West Bengal, Bihar |
Tributaries | |
- right | Mechi River, Kankai River |
Cities | Siliguri, Ingraj Bazar |
Landmark | Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary |
Source | Himalayas |
Mouth | Ganges |
- location | Godagiri, Nawabganj District, Bangladesh |
- coordinates | 24°29′24″N 88°18′14″E / 24.49000°N 88.30389°ECoordinates: 24°29′24″N 88°18′14″E / 24.49000°N 88.30389°E |
Length | 360 km (224 mi) |
The Mahananda River (Pron:/ˌməhɑːˈnʌndə or ˌmɑːhəˈnʌndə/) (Nepali: महानदी, Hindi: महानन्दा नदी, Bengali: মহানন্দা নদী) is a trans-boundary river that flows through the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, and Bangladesh. Its right bank tributary, the Mechi River forms part of Nepal's eastern boundary with West Bengal while the Kankai flows out of Nepal.
The Mahananda originates in the Himalayas: Paglajhora Falls on Mahaldiram Hill near Chimli, east of Kurseong in Darjeeling district at an elevation of 2,100 metres (6,900 ft). It flows through Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and descends to the plains near Siliguri. It touches Jalpaiguri district.
It enters Bangladesh near Tentulia in Panchagarh District, flows for 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) after Tentulia and returns to India. After flowing through Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal and Kishanganj and Katihar districts in Bihar, it enters Malda district in West Bengal. The Mahananda divides the district into two regions — the eastern region, consisting mainly of old alluvial and relatively infertile soil is commonly known as Barind (Borendrovomee), and the western region, which is further subdivided by the river Kalindri into two areas, the northern area is known as "Tal". It is low-lying and vulnerable to inundation during rainy season; the southern area consists of very fertile land and is thickly populated, being commonly known as "Diara".