Kalindi

Kalindi is the Sanskrit name for the River Yamuna, one of the major rivers of northern India. The river originates in the western Himalayas, near the source of the Ganga, and first emerges in the Uttarakhand district of Uttarkashi as the Ganga, before taking on the name Kalindi at the confluence with the Tons River. From this point the river flows southward for approximately 1,376 kilometres, threading through the plains of Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh before entering the Bay of Bengal as a tributary of the Ganges system.

The Kalindi basin covers an area of about 93,000 square kilometres and is supported by numerous smaller rivers and tributaries, including the Chambal, Banas, and the Gomti. The river’s course through the Delhi region makes it one of the most politically and culturally significant watercourses in the country. Numerous temples, ghats, and pilgrimage sites dot its banks; the most prominent being the Vrindavan region where the river is revered as a divine entity and its waters are used in religious ceremonies.

Ecologically, the Kalindi supports a diverse array of aquatic life and is vital for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use in the densely populated areas it traverses. In recent years it has faced challenges from pollution, encroachment, and climate variability, prompting efforts by government agencies and NGOs to improve water quality and implement conservation measures. The river’s cultural and environmental importance continues to be recognised in literature, art, and policy discussions throughout India.