After the Ganges and the Indus Rivers the Godavari River is a sacrosanct river in India. It originates in the western ghats near Trimbak in Nashik district of Maharashtra. It then flows in the east across the Deccan Plateau traversing through the states of Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh. It flows in a southeastern direction in order to evacuate in the Bay of Bengal through two mouths. The major tributaries of the Godavari are Indravati River, Manjira River, Bindusara River and Sabari River. It travels a distance of 1,465 km. before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Below Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, the river splits into two streams that widen into a large river delta, which provides an extensive navigable irrigation -canal system, the Dowleswaram Barrage which links, the Krishna River delta to the southwest. There is another dam on the Godavari just after the source of the river at Trimbakeshwar. In Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh, there is a multipurpose project on this sacred river called the Sriramsagar Project. The Godavari River has a drainage area of 313,000 sq. km. spread over in seven states, Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

The major towns on the bank of the Godavari are Basara, Adilabad, Nanded, Rajamundry, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Kopargaon and Paithan.

A sacred river of the Hindus, it has several pilgrim spots along its banks. The major ones are Trimbakeshwar, Nasik where one of the four Sinhastha Kumbh Mela is held, Paithan, Nanded, Pattiseema and Basar. After every twelve years, Pushkaram, a major bathing festival is held on the banks of the river. The development of an irrigation-canal system, linking its delta with that of the Krishna river to the southwest, has made the land one of the richest rice-growing areas of India.

Kumbha Mela at Nashik-Godavari RiverThe major towns on the bank of the Godavari are Basara, Adilabad, Nanded, Rajamundry, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Kopargaon and Paithan.

A sacred river of the Hindus, it has several pilgrim spots along its banks. The major ones are Trimbakeshwar, Nasik where one of the four Sinhastha Kumbh Mela is held, Paithan, Nanded, Pattiseema and Basar. After every twelve years, Pushkaram, a major bathing festival is held on the banks of the river. The development of an irrigation-canal system, linking its delta with that of the Krishna river to the southwest, has made the land one of the richest rice-growing areas of India.

The origin of the Godavari River is at the Trimbak in the district of Nasik in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The river runs almost for a length of 1,465 km and has a total catchment area of 31 mha. The river flows in the eastward direction through the states of Maharashtra and joins the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh. The main tributaries of the River Godavari are Penganga, Pranahita, Indravati, Manjeera, Sabari and Manair. It is the second largest river in India.

The history of Godavari river relates to its birth and flow across the plains. The river Godavari starts at the Western Ghats and flows towards the Eastern Ghats. The river flows in the southern India and is considered to be one of the seven sacred rivers. This river originates from the hills situated at the rear region of the village Tryanibak, located at Nasik district in Maharashtra. A huge reservoir is positioned at the hill from which the river originates.

The geology of Godavari River suggests soil with rich alluvium deposits. River Godavari is under the serious threat as a result of the growing civilization and industrialization. The river has been drying at a disturbing rate due to the pollution fashioned by the factories. The main reason behind the pollution of Godavari River is the small Nakavaggu rivulet that joins the Manjira, a tributary of the Godavari. Nakavaggu rivulet is not a source of life in its course.

The religious importance of Godavari River adheres to the existence of several pilgrimages along the river. Apart from Ganga and Yamuna, Godavari also holds the exceptional religious importance in India. Godavari is one of the sacred rivers in India. According to the Puranas River Ganga should only be visited after the visit to the Godavari. There are several pilgrimage places on the banks of the river Godavari. The major spot of pilgrimage is Trimbakeshwar, the ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Nanded Takht Sri Hazur Sahib is one of the sacred places among the Sikhs, while Bhadrachalam is the temple of Lord Rama and many more.

The course of Godavari River starts in the Western Ghats and flows eastwardly across the Deccan Plateau.The Godavari River is one of the major waterways in central India; it originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastwardly across the Deccan Plateau between the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, then crossing Andhra Pradesh it turns to flow in a southeast direction until it finally flows into the Bay of Bengal through two mouths. Its tributaries are Indravati River, Bindusara River, Moosi River, Manjira River and Sabari River.

Places of pilgrimage along river Godavari hold a special significance since decades for sages like Baladeva and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.The Godavari has been held as a special place of pilgrimage for thousands of years. Many famous personalities like Baladeva (5000 years ago) and more of late Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (500 years ago) took bath in her waters as an act of worship.

The river basin of Godavari River is one of the most cultivable lands in India. The river basin of Godavari River is mostly rich cultivable land. However, domestic pollution in this basin is the biggest polluter of the river Godavari, accounting for almost 82 per cent of total pollution, while industrial pollution is recorded at about 18 per cent.

Ecological significance of River Godavari and it`s including states rank the fifth position in India in the section of bio diversity. India supports about 10% of the world`s Biological Diversity, with just 2% of the worlds land area, thus making it the seventh richest bio-diversity country in the world. This difference bestows a great responsibility on the government with the responsibility to protect and conserve the rich floral, faunal & ecological diversity of Godavari river basin.

There are several major towns and cities along the River Godavari. River Godavari has been serving as the life giver and sanctifier for most of the towns in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. In the state of Maharashtra, the towns of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Kopargaon, Paithan, Mahegaon deshmukh and Nanded are located along the River Godavari. While in the state of Andhra Pradesh, the cities and towns of Basara, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram, Mancherial, Godavarikhani, Bhadrachalam, Rajamundry, Kovvur, Tallapudi and Narsapur lie in the banks of River Godavari.

The tributaries of River Godavari are responsible for the supply of water in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhatisgarh. The tributaries of River Godavari are responsible for the supply of water in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhatisgarh. The Godavari River has ample tributaries and distributaries that flow in the Godavari River Basin. Some of the rivers of this basin are Kolab River, Indravati River, Bandiya River, Pranhita River, Dina River, Wainganga River, Sati River and many more.