Krishna River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Krishna
Krishna river gorge by Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Drainage basin of the Krishna in the South Indian Peninsula
Country	India
State	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
Region	South India
Physical characteristics
Main source	Near Mahabaleshwar, Jor village Satara district, Maharashtra, India 914 m (2,999 ft)Geographic headwaters 17°59′18.8″N 73°38′16.7″E / 17.988556°N 73.637972°E / 17.988556; 73.637972
River mouth	Bay Of Bengal Hamsaladeevi, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India 0 m (0 ft) 15°44′10.8″N 80°55′12.1″E / 15.736333°N 80.920028°E / 15.736333; 80.920028
Length	1,400 km (870 mi)approx.
Width	Average width: 2,213 m3/s (78,200 cu ft/s)
Discharge (location 2)	Location: Vijayawada (1901–1979 average), max (2009), min (1997) Minimum rate: 13.52 m3/s (477 cu ft/s) Average rate: 1,641.74 m3/s (57,978 cu ft/s) Maximum rate: 31,148.53 m3/s (1,100,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Basin size	258,948 km2 (99,980 sq mi)
Tributaries	Left: Bhima, Dindi, Peddavagu, Musi, Paleru, Munneru Right: Venna, Koyna, Panchganga, Dudhaganga, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra

The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers in India. It stretches for about 1,300 kilometres (810 miles)! It is the second longest river in South India. This mighty river is super important for farming in the states of Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It helps grow food for many people.

Many smaller rivers join the Krishna River. These joining rivers are called tributaries. Some of the main ones include the Bhima, Tungabhadra, Veena, Koyna, Panchganga, Munneru, and Musi.

The Krishna River is also used to create electricity. Many hydroelectric power stations use the river's strong flow to make power for homes and businesses.

During the monsoon season, when there's a lot of rain, the Krishna River can flood. It flows very fast and can get really deep, sometimes over 75 feet (23 m)! In October 2009, there were huge floods. These floods caused many villages to be cut off. They also made many people lose their homes. The city of Kurnool was covered in about 10 ft (3 m) of water for almost three days.

Sacred Places Along the Krishna River

A small stream of the river flows from a cow-face (gomukh) in a temple

The Krishna River is considered very special and holy by Hindus. Many people believe that bathing in the river can wash away their sins.

A big festival called Krishna Pushkaram happens every twelve years. It takes place on the banks of the Krishna River. People from all over come to celebrate. There are also many important pilgrimage sites along the river's path in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Important Temples and Towns

The first holy spot on the Krishna River is at Wai in Maharashtra. This town is famous for its Mahaganpati Mandir and Kashivishweshwar temple. Other important temples include the Dattadeva temple at Narsobawadi and Audumbar near Sangli. These are very important to the people of Maharashtra.

The temple Vedadri

In Karnataka, Yadur is a key holy place located on the river's bank. The Veerabhadra temple is also very popular, attracting many visitors. Other famous temples along the Krishna River include:

• The Sangameshwar Shiva temple at Haripur.
• The goddess Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada.
• The Ramling temple near Sangli.
• The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and Amareshwara Swamy Temple.
• Dattadeva temple.
• Sangameshwara Shiva temples at Alampur and Gadwal in Telangana.

Animals and Plants of the Krishna River Basin

Blackbuck within Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary

The areas around the Krishna River are full of amazing plants and animals. The last remaining mangrove forests in the Krishna estuary are protected. This area is now called the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a safe home for many birds, both those that live there all the time and those that visit from far away.

You can also spot many other animals in the sanctuary, such as:

• Otters
• Crocodiles
• Spotted deer
• Sambar deer
• Blackbucks
• Snakes
• Lizards
• Jackals

Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Krishna Basin

There are several other important wildlife sanctuaries located in the Krishna River basin. These places help protect different kinds of animals and their homes.

Images for kids

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  Downstream view of Prakasam Barrage.

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  Krishna river near Vijayawada

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  Panoramic view of Ujjani or Bhima Dam

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  Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete

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  Kudalasangama, North Karnataka

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  Pre Historic sites of Middle Krishna-Tungabhadra Valley in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

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  Gokak Falls on Ghataprabha river

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  Panorama of Prakasam Barrage and Railway bridges on Krishna near Vijayawada

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  NSRS Srisailam Dam

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  Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Gates view

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  Almatti Dam with its right bank power house

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  Krishna close to its origin at Menawali, near Wai, Satara district, Maharashtra. An 18th-century statesman, Nana Fadnavis, built the Ghat and a palace here. This location has been used in many Hindi movies.

• 

  The Deccan Traps near Pune

See also

In Spanish: Río Krishná para niños