Sarju

Sarju Kumaoni: सरज्यू, Hindi: सरयू
Aarti at Sarju Ghat, Bageshwar
Location
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
region	Kumaon
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Sarmul, 15 km south of Nanda Kot
• coordinates	30°7′58″N 80°1′56″E / 30.13278°N 80.03222°E / 30.13278; 80.03222
• elevation	3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Mouth
• location	Sharda River, Uttarakhand, India
• coordinates	29°26′38″N 80°14′33″E / 29.44389°N 80.24250°E / 29.44389; 80.24250
• elevation	429 m (1,407 ft)
Length	130 km (81 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Ramganga, Punger
• right	Gomati, Panar, Lahor

The Sarju (Kumaoni: सरज्यू, Hindi: सरयू), also known as Saryu, is a major river draining Central Kumaon region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Originating from Sarmul, Sarju flows through the cities of Kapkot, Bageshwar and Seraghat before joining Mahakali at Pancheshwar. The Sarju is the largest tributary of the Sharda River. The river forms the South-eastern border between the districts of Pithoragarh and Almora. Temperate and sub-Tropical forests cover the entire Catchment area of the River.

Etymology

According to the Ramayana (Balakanda 24/7-10), the name of this river is derived from 'Sarovar'/Lake (Lake Manasarovar). The name is a noun derived from the Sanskrit root सृ sṛ "to flow". saráyu- as a masculine noun means "air, wind". In the feminine it is the name of the river.^{[citation needed]}

Hindu Scriptures

Course

The Sarju rises at a place known as Sarmul (or Sarmool), which is located in the extreme north of the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. The source of the river is situated at 30°7′58″N 80°1′56″E / 30.13278°N 80.03222°E / 30.13278; 80.03222 on the southern slope of a ridge of the Nanda Kot and is separated on the east from the source of Ramganga and on the west from the sources of Kuphini (the eastern branch of Pindar River) by spurs leading down from the mass culminating at the Nanda Kot peak. It flows initially around 50 km (31 mi) in southwest direction by the Kumaon Himalayas where it receives Kanalgadh stream from the right and Punger river from the left. About 2 km (1.2 mi) further downstream, the river receives Lahor river from the right. Then the river turns towards south and flows through the city of Bageshwar, where it receives Gomati from the right.

The Sarju flows to the lower 65 km in mainly southeastern direction. Much of the drainage of Gangolihat region of Pithoragarh district flows into the river via Bhadrapatigad stream, which flows into it from the left. Similarly, several streams join it from right draining much of the Chaugarkha region situated in Almora district; notable ones being Gatgadh, Jalairgadh, Bhaurgadh, Alaknadi and Saniaungadh. About 55 km (34 mi) downstream from its confluence with Gomati in Bageshwar, it receives the Panar river from the right. A small river Jaingan gets merge into Sarju river at Seraghat in Almora-Pithoragarh border. About five Km further downstream, at 20 km (12 mi) above its mouth, Ramganga meets the left side on the Sarju at Rameshwar, situated at an elevation of 1,500 ft (460 m). Finally Sarju reaches at Pancheshwar at the Nepalese border to Sharda River after travelling a total of 130 km (81 mi).

Geology

Sarju transfers a sedimental load of 498.4 kg/sec during the peak of raining season.

Tributaries

Gallery

• 
  Camping on Saryu river
• 
  Saryu river at Bageshwar
• 
  Close-up view of Sarju water flowing
• 
  Saryu river at Bageshwar
• 
  Suspension Bridge over Saryu river at Bageshwar
• 
  Sarayu River
• 
  Sarju River at Ghat, Pithoragarh

References