Know Everything About The Mighty Brahmaputra: The Lifeline of Northeast India

What is the origin point of Brahmaputra River?

Angsi Glacier in the Tibetan Himalayas, near Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar: Its origin is the highest in the world for any continuously flowing river, at an elevation of 6,020 m. 

Interesting Facts about Brahmaputra River?

1. The 15th longest river in the world and the 6th longest in Asia. 

2. The volume of water it carries is the third-largest for any river in the world. 

3. As Yarlung Zangbo, it forms the deepest canyon in the world, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Tibet. 

4. It is known as Tsangpo (‘purifier’) in Tibet, Yarlung Zangbo in Chinese, Dihang (or Siang) in Arunachal Pradesh, Brahmaputra after entering Assam, and as the Jamuna River in Bangladesh. 

5. 33 tributaries join it along its course in the Assam valley, causing it to become a braided river. 

6. The Dhola Sadiya Bridge (Bhupen Hazarika Bridge) over the River Lohit, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River, is the longest bridge in India

7. The Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra is the longest road and rail bridge in India.

   
   

What is the course of Brahmaputra River?

After flowing through Tibet, the Brahmaputra enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and flows through Assam and Bangladesh before it mixes with the Ganga River to enter the Bay of Bengal. It is the longest transboundary river globally and forms the largest delta region in the world. The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, is located in this delta.

What are the main tributaries of the Brahmaputra River?

1. Raka Zangbo in Tibet

2. Dibang, Dihing, Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, and Lohit in India

3. Teesta in Bangladesh. 

Key Tourist and Spiritual Places located around the Brahmaputra River

1. Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are important Hindu pilgrimages that are near the origin of Yarlung Zangbo.

2. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the largest population of tigers and Indian rhinoceroses in any protected area in the world. 

3. Ma Kamakhya Shaktipeeth, one of the four Adi Shaktipeethas of India.

4. Navagraha Temple, dedicated to the Sun, Moon, and seven other planets

5. Majuli Island, the largest river island in the world: The river splits into two channels in Assam, which rejoin 100 km later, forming this island

Boats going to Majuli Island

Mythological Origin Story of The Brahmaputra River

The name Brahmaputra means "son of Brahma". The ancient text Kalikapurana says that Brahmaputra was born to Amogha, the wife of Sage Shantanu, with the blessings of Lord Brahma. He was born as a water body in Yugandhara and placed in Brahmakunda amid four mountains: Kailash, Gandhamadana, Jarudhi, and Sambwartakka. As Brahmaputra grew into a large lake, Sage Parashurama broke the banks of Brahmakunda with his axe to release him, forming the River Brahmaputra.

Key Cities located on the bank of the Brahmaputra River

1. Guwahati, the capital of Assam

2. Dibrugarh

3. Tezpur

4. Jorhat

5. Mymensingh (Bangladesh)

6. Sirajganj (Bangladesh)