Origin of Tapti River
The Tapti River originates from the eastern slopes of the Satpura Range in central India, at a place called Multai in Madhya Pradesh.
Interesting Facts About Tapti River
The Tapti is the tenth longest river in India.
The Tapti is one of the few Indian rivers that flows westward, similar to the Narmada River. Satpura Range. Both the Narmada and Tapi run in roughly parallel courses and drain into the Arabian Sea.
The Tapti River is considered a goddess in Hinduism, also called Tapati or Tapi. The name is related to the heat and brilliance of her father, Surya Dev, or Sun God. She is thus also called Suryaputri.
Multai, the place where the river originates, was called ‘Mool Taapi’, meaning root (origin) of Tapi.
Tapti Jayanti, also known as Tapti Janmotsava, is an annual festival dedicated to the Tapti River, celebrated on the saptami tithi of shukla paksha of Aashadha month.
The Ukai Dam is the most important dam built on the Tapti. Vallabh Sagar Sarovar or the Ukai Reservoir is the second largest reservoir in Gujarat.
A large 18th century fort, Vajpur Fort is submerged in the Vallabh Sagar Reservoir, becoming visible only when the water level decreases significantly.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died in a city called Burhanpur, on the banks of the River Tapti, and was buried there in a tomb initially. Later, her tomb was moved to Agra.
The Port of Magdalla is a medium-sized port located on the banks of the Tapti River near Surat.
Course of Tapti River
The Tapi emerges from Multai in Betul District and flows across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The river's journey ends at its confluence with the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat, also known as the Gulf of Cambay.
Main tributaries of Tapti River
Purna River: One of the major tributaries of the Tapti River, joining it in Maharashtra.
Girna River: Another significant tributary, the Girna River, originates in the Western Ghats and meets the Tapti in Maharashtra.
Panjhara River: Originating in the Deccan plateau, it is a tributary of the Girna River, which eventually joins the Tapti.
Bori River
Arunavati River
Gomai River
Sipna River
Other tributaries are Nesu, Amravati, Buray, Waghur, Mona, Vaki, and Aner.
Key Tourist Attractions and Spiritual Places located around Tapti River
Songadh Fort: Constructed with a blend of Mughal and Maratha architectural influences in the 18th century by Pillaji Rao Gaekwad. Located in Tapi district, Gujarat.
Wildlife sanctuaries: Various reserves around the Tapti include the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary, and Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Tomb of Khudawand Khan: This is a 16th century monument in Surat that houses the remains of the local ruler, Khudawand Khan Safar Salmani.
Surat Castle or Fort: Built in the 14th century and further expanded in the 16th century, this monument has been recently renovated.
Thalner Fort: a 14th century fortress in Dhule district in Maharashtra.
Gandhi Teerth: a research institution and museum based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, located in Jalgaon.
Melghat Tiger Reserve: Established in 1967 as a wildlife sanctuary and declared a tiger reserve in 1974. Located in the Amaravati district of Maharashtra. It was one of the first nine reserves under Project Tiger.
Asirgarh Fort: A large fort built in the medieval period, known as the "door to the Deccan", or ‘dakshin ka dwar’. It is located near Burhanpur. It has an ancient Shiva temple close by called the Gupteshwar (Asireshwar) Mahadev Temple, which is believed to have been visited by Ashwathama in the Mahabharata times.
Changdev Temple: This ancient temple is dedicated to the mystic, yogi, and saint Changdeva Maharaj. It is located at the confluence of the Purna River and the Tapi. Shivaratri is a major festival at this temple.
Origin Story of Tapti River
The Tapti River is personified as a goddess, also called Tapati, in Hinduism and is considered to be the daughter of the Sun God, Surya and Chhaya. Thus, Tapati is the sister of Yamuna, Shani, Bhadra, Manu, and Yama. She is mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata, Puranas, and Ramayana. Tapati was said to be extremely beautiful and famous for her devotion to religious discipline. King Samvarana married her, and their son was Kuru, the progenitor of the Kuru dynasty and kingdom.
There are seven kunds (water ponds), each having a unique name and story associated with Maa Tapati, at her birthplace, Multai. Surya Kund is the pond where the Sun God himself bathed. It is said that the Sun God visits this pond once a year to lessen his intensity, which then flows out in the form of water. Tapti Kund symbolizes the protection offered by Maa Tapti to all beings from her father's fierce energy. Dharma Kund is where Lord Dharmaraj bathed. Paap Kund is a pond where sinners should bathe with sincere devotion to Maa Tapti, to cleanse their sins away. Narad Kund is where Devarshi Narad was relieved of his leprosy which he got as a result of a curse on stealing the Tapti Purana. He meditated on Maa Tapti for twelve years at this site. Shani Kund is named after Shani Dev, as he bathed in this pond after visiting his sister Maa Tapti. Bathing in this pond offers relief from Shani's wrath. There is also a Naga Baba Kund associated with the Naga sect.
Key Cities located on the bank of the Tapti River
Multai: The source of the Tapti River is here. Famous for natural beauty, temples, and religious sites.
Burhanpur: A historic city in Madhya Pradesh, famous for its architectural and cultural heritage. It is known for its textile industry, magnificent forts, mosques, Shahi Qila, the tomb of Shah Nawaz Khan, and the Asirgarh Fort.
Surat: Known as the ‘Diamond City’. The Surat Castle (Old Fort), Sardar Patel Museum, and the Sneh Rashmi Botanical Gardens are popular attractions. Surat is famous for its diamond and textile industry, as well as for being one of the cleanest cities of India.
Bhusawal: Famous for thermal power plant and banana cultivation
Jalgaon: Known as ‘Banana city of India’, this city is famous for its gold, pulses and banana production.
Nepanagar: Town famous for Nepa Mills Limited, India's first newsprint manufacturing unit.
