Kshipra River

About Kshipra River

• The Kshipra, also known as the Shipra, is a sacred river in Madhya Pradesh and is often called the “Ganga of Malwa”.
• Origin: It originates from Kakri-Tekdi hill in the Vindhya Range, which is located north of Dhar and near Ujjain.
• Length : The river is 195 km long.
• Course: It flows north across the Malwa Plateau through the holy city of Ujjain before merging with the Chambal River.
• Major Tributaries: It’s major tributaries are Khan and Gambhir.
• Key Aspect of Kshipra River:
  • River System Under Stress: The Kshipra riverine system includes 22 tributaries such as Chandrabhaga, Swat, Gandaki, Kaliadaha, Lakheri and Pipaliya, many of which have disappeared or become seasonal drains.
  • Importance of Tributaries: These tributaries support thousands of villagers, help irrigation, and recharge groundwater levels.
  • Narmada-Kshipra Link Project: To maintain its perennial flow, a massive river-linking project was completed to pump water from the Narmada River into the Kshipra during dry spells.
  • Growing Environmental Concerns: Encroachment, pollution, degradation of water sources, erratic rainfall and intense heat have led to the drying up of tributaries, causing drinking water shortages and environmental imbalances.
• Religious Significance: According to Hindu texts, the Kshipra River originated from heart of Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Krishna studied at Sage Sandipani’s ashram on its banks.
  • The river is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain scriptures and hosts the famous Kumbh Mela at Ujjain every 12 years.