Punpun River
The Punpun River is a tributary of the Ganges. It originates in Palamu district of Jharkhand and flows through Chatra, Aurangabad, Gaya and Patna districts of the Indian states of Jharkhand and Bihar.[1] Punpun is a place named after punpun river in Patna which is situated on the bank of punpun river. On the bank of punpun people cerlebrate Chath Puja.
| Punpun River | |
|---|---|
 Punpun at Obra | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Jharkhand, Bihar |
| City | Obra |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Palamu district, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand |
| • coordinates | 24°11′N 84°9′E |
| • elevation | 300 m (980 ft) |
| Mouth | Ganges |
• location | Fatuha |
• coordinates | 25°30′50″N 85°17′46″E |
| Length | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Basin size | 8,530 km2 (3,290 sq mi) |
Course
The Punpun originates on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, at an elevation of 300 metres (980 ft), The river mostly flows in a north-east direction and joins the Ganges at Fatuha, 25 kilometres (16 mi) downstream of Patna.[2]
Many towns such as Sigori are located on the banks of the river.
Tributaries
The main tributaries of the Punpun are – the Butane, the Madar and the Mohar.[2]
Other features
The 200 kilometres (120 mi) long river is mostly rainfed and carries little water in the dry season. However, during rains, the Punpun often causes heavy flood damages east of Patna city. The catchment area of the Punpun is 8,530 square kilometres (3,290 sq mi). Agricultural area in the Punpun basin is about 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi). The average annual rainfall for the basin is 1,181 millimetres (46.5 in).[2]
Religious significance
This river is mentioned in the Vayu and the Padma Puranas in connection with Gaya Mahatmya as the punah-punah (again and again) of which Pun-Pun is the colloquial form. The river might have been called by this name because it was frequently in spate. The Puranas interpret the word punah-punah in a spiritual sense that sins are removed again and again by offering oblations to forefathers in the river.[3]
References
- Asian Pacific Remote Sensing and GIS Journal. United Nations. 24 September 2008. ISBN 9789211201208. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- Jain, Sharad K.; Agarwal, Pushpendra K.; Singh, Vijay P. (16 May 2007). Hydrology and Water Resources of India By Sharad K. Jain, Pushpendra K. Agarwal, Vijay P. Singh. p. 357. ISBN 9781402051807. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Rivers in Mythology". Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- O'Malley, L. S. S. (2007). Bengal District Gazaetter - Gaya By L.S.S. O'malley. p. 8. ISBN 9788172681371. Retrieved 5 May 2010.