Sarayu
| Sarayu | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Other name(s) | Kali River, Sarda River |
| Basin features | |
| Main source | Himalayas 4,150 m (13,620 ft) |
| River mouth | Tributary of Ganges |
| Basin size | Eastern Kumaon - Western Nepal |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 350 km (220 mi) |
The Sarayu (also Sarju; Dev. सरयु saráyu- f., later Dev. सरयू sarayū-) is a river that flows through the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. This river is of ancient significance, finding mentions in the Vedas and the Ramayana. The Sarayu forms at the confluence of the Karnali (or Ghaghara) and Mahakali (or Sharda) in Bahraich District. The Mahakali or Sharda forms the Indian-Nepalese border. Ayodhya is situated on the banks of river Sarayu. Some mapmakers consider the Sarayu to be just a section of the lower Ghaghara River.
On Ram Navami, the festival that celebrates the birthday of Bhagwan Rama, thousands of people take a dip in the Sarayu River at Ayodhya.
The name is the feminine derivative of the Sanskrit root सर् sar "to flow"; as a masculine stem, saráyu- means "air, wind", i.e. "that which is streaming".
The Sarayu forms at the confluence of the Karnali (or Ghaghara) and Mahakali (or Sharda) in Bahraich District at 27°40′27″N 81°16′39″E / 27.67417°N 81.27750°E. It flows into the Ganges at 25°44′36″N 84°40′01″E / 25.74333°N 84.66694°E.
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