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Rivers of India · Drains to the Bay of Bengal

Mahanadi River: source, course, dams and places

Mahanadi is about 900 km long (total length (CWC: 851 km)). It rises at Near Sihawa and reaches the Bay of Bengal. A map-first summary for exam revision.

By Pradyumna Gayake · Updated · From the same data as the app’s Mahanadi study card

Map of the Mahanadi river in India, from its source to Bay of Bengal, with 1 dams and 2 places along its course. Source Hirakud Dam Cuttack
The Mahanadi drawn from AtlasMitra’s river data. Circle: source. Diamonds: dams and barrages. Dots: places on its course. India’s boundary as per the Survey of India.

Source

The Mahanadi rises at Near Sihawa, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh. 20.60° N, 80.63° E

Course

Its main course runs Chhattisgarh → Odisha, and it enters the Bay of Bengal: delta near False Point, Odisha.

Key facts

  • Hirakud, a long earthen dam
  • Tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Jonk and Tel.

Dams and barrages

DamWhere and what
Hirakud DamNear Sambalpur, Odisha.

Places along the Mahanadi

PlaceNote
SambalpurOdisha · below Hirakud.
CuttackOdisha · head of the delta.

Quick questions

Where does the Mahanadi originate?

At Near Sihawa (Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh).

Where does the Mahanadi end?

In the Bay of Bengal (Delta near False Point, Odisha).

How long is the Mahanadi?

About 900 km (total length (CWC: 851 km)).

Which dams are on the Mahanadi?

Hirakud Dam: Near Sambalpur, Odisha.

Sources

  1. River course: Natural Earth Public domain and © OpenStreetMap contributors ODbL 1.0