Satluj, " The Tributary of Indus River system. "

 The largest river  among  the five rivers of Indus River system flowing through Himachal Pradesh is Satluj ,named "Satudri " in the holy Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name of Satluj is "Shatadru.

 The river Satluj originates from Tibet, from a lake near Maansarovar lake , named " Rakastal lake in Southern slopes of Kailash mountain. 

       View of kailash mountain & Lake Tibet

The total length of this river is 1450 Km out which It flows 320 Km in Himachal Pradesh, enters in Himachal Pradesh at Shipki  then flows down through South West direction in Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts  through Namgia, Khab, Pooh, Morang -Jangi , Kalpa,Karchham Tapri  , Jeori, Rampur, Tattapani, Sunni,Koldam, Dehar, Bilapur, Jeori-Pattan, Bhakra then enters Punjab near Nehla village down-stream of Bhakra the highest gravity dam in the world situated in Himachal Pradesh. 

             View of Kailash mountain in Tibet

The main tributaries of Satluj in Himachal Pradesh are:- The tributaries on right bank are  Spiti, Ropa, Taiti, Kashang, Mulgaon, Yula, wanger, Throng and the Rupi. 

                 Beautiful View of Spiti Valley

The tributaries on the left bank are Tidong, Gayanthing, Baspa, Soldang  and Duling feeding Satluj. 

                       View of Spiti valley

  The water of Satluj is being utilized for hydro electric power generation at Bhakra, Karchham-Wangtu, Nathpa-Jhakti and Koldam, water sports at Govindsagar at Bilaspur and for Irrigation through Bhakra canal, Sirhind canal and Rajasthan Canal. 

The water of Satluj has been allocated to India as per Indus Water treaty between India and Pakistan. 

     View of Govindsagar on Satluj at Bilaspur

                               By :- Er. R C Verma