The holy rivers and Alaknanda (later Ganga) begin from the Garhwal Himalayas and draws off out into the plains of Uttar Pradesh; in addition there are Kali, Ramganga and Yamuna rivers also. The other rivers are Saryu, Pinder, Malini, Hiyul, Rawasian, Khoh and Nayar. All these rivers finally amalgamate into the holy river Ganga.

1. Alaknanda: Alaknanda is formed by the joining together of Vishnu Ganga and Dhauli Ganga at Vishnuprayag originating from the glaciers of Badrinath and Kamet. Vishnu Ganga emerges from Mana pass and the Dhauli originates from Niti pass. The other famous rivers Nandakini originating from Nandadevi glaciers join at Nandprayag, and Pinder originating from the Pindari glaciers in Kumaon joins Alaknanda at Karanprayag and Mandakini joins at Rudraprayag.

2. Bhagirathi: The holy and renowned river Bhagirathi originates from Gaumukh, the Gangotri glacier in the northern slope of Trisuli peak. The other tributaries e.g. Jadhganga and Bhilanganga join it before Alaknanda River, which joins it at Deoprayag and from they`re onwards the river is decisively called Ganga when it finally moves into the plains at Haridwar.

3. Western Ramganga: The River originates from the Doodhatoli range in district Pauri Garhwal and enters into district, Nainital before re-entering into district Pauri Garhwal. The river then flows through Patali Dun and then turns southeast before it enters the plains near Kalagarh fort and passes through Moradabad. The other tributaries Mandhul, Palain and Sona also join it.

4. Eastern Ramganga: Eastern Ramganga emerges from the hills of Nandakot. The other tributaries Jakula and Saryu join it. Thereafter, this river is called Saryu before it joins river Kali, which originates from Milam Glacier in Kumaon region. Eastern and Western Ramganga flow into the plains separately.

5. Yamuna: Yamuna emerges from the Banderpoonch glaciers in district Uttarkashi. A river bag, which flows along the boundary with Himachal Pradesh, west of district Tehri Garhwal, joins Yamuna River at Kalsi and thereafter enters the plains. From Kalsi, the river flows along the boundary with Himachal Pradesh west of district Dehra Dun.