Meet Banas River: Rajasthan's 512-km-long river that vanishes and comes back to life

Rajasthan is the 12th state of India and the 2nd largest state by area. The state is home to 40 rivers, one of which is the Banas River. It is the largest river in Rajasthan that flows entirely in the state. The Banas River, also known as ‘Van ki Asha’ (which translates to "Hope of the Forest"). It acts as a primary lifeline for drinking water and agricultural irrigation across multiple districts.

Where does the Banas River start?

The Banas River originates from the Khamnor Hills, which are a part of the Aravalli Mountain range. You can find this beautiful starting spot right near the town of Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand, Rajasthan. The total length of the Banas River is approximately 512 km (318 miles).

The Banas River flows through which towns and cities?

The Banas River is an exclusively Rajasthani river and runs through some important districts, towns, and cities in the course of its 512 km-long river route:

Some Important Cities and Towns Along the River

• Nathdwara: a holy city in the district of Rajsamand, situated precisely on the course of this river.
• Tonk: An important historic town situated directly on the banks of the Banas River.
• Jahazpur: An historic town located in the district of Bhilwara on the course of the river.
• Chaksu: A calm and peaceful little town situated near the river.

Districts through which the River Flows

In its northeast course towards the Chambal River, it passes through the following important districts:

• Rajsamand (point where it originates)
• Udaipur
• Chittorgarh
• Bhilwara
• Ajmer
• Tonk
• Sawai Madhopur

It flows in a northeasterly direction across the plains of Rajasthan until it merges as a major tributary into the Chambal River at a holy confluence called Rameshwar Ghat in the Sawai Madhopur district.

5 Lesser-known Facts About Banas River

• Scientifically, it is one of the largest river basins located entirely within Rajasthan and creates the largest drainage basin of about 45,833 km² in 12 districts.
• The drainage pattern is extremely asymmetrical. Most of its main tributaries (like Kothari and Khari) fall into it from the left bank alone at a very sharp angle.
• It has a purely "ephemeral" type of hydrology, i.e., it relies almost fully on monsoonal rainfall, which leads to the drying up of certain portions of the river due to excessive evaporation during the summer.
• In geology, certain portions of the Banas have been classified as an "antecedent" river. In other words, its course was formed so long ago that it predated even the development of the current landscape around it, enabling it to carve deep, rocky canyons straight through mountain ranges.
• The upstream region of the river has been hydrogeologically recognised as a natural recharging area. Excessive monsoonal flow raises local groundwater levels in places like Rajsamand and Udaipur by over 8 meters.

Which is the longest river in Rajasthan?

The Chambal River is the longest river in Rajasthan. On the other hand, the Banas River is the longest river in Rajasthan, flowing entirely in the state.

The Chambal River starts from the Janapav Hills in the Vindhya Range near Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. It passes into Rajasthan at Chaurasigarh in the Chittorgarh district and flows in a northeast direction, covering the Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Dholpur districts. 

Famous for its deep canyons and ravines, the river terminates by joining the Yamuna River in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. The length of the river is about 1,024 km, of which 322 km flows in Rajasthan.