Lesson 2 of 2 | Geography of Rajasthan / Land of Rajasthan
The Aravalli divide, Luni and Chambal
Learning outcome
You can say which way the Aravalli ranges divide the drainage, and you can place Luni, Chambal and Banas.
Concepts and why
The Aravalli ranges trend from northeast to southwest. They are the main water divide in Rajasthan. Luni is the river west of the Aravallis. It is an ephemeral stream, so it is not a river that flows through the year. It rises in the Naga hills near Pushkar, in the Ajmer region, and its course reaches the Rann of Kutch. East of the Aravallis, the main drainage runs toward the northeast. The Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna. It rises near Janapav in Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya range, and only then enters Rajasthan. It joins the Yamuna at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh. The Banas rises in Rajasthan, in the Khamnor hills of the Aravalli near Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand, and it joins the Chambal in Sawai Madhopur.
Worked examples
A question asks for the river west of the Aravallis. The answer is the Luni. A question asks where the Chambal rises. The answer is near Janapav in Madhya Pradesh, not in Rajasthan.
Common mistakes
Calling the Luni a perennial river. The groundwater account calls it ephemeral. Saying the Chambal rises in Rajasthan. It enters Rajasthan after rising in Madhya Pradesh. Placing the Banas west of the Aravallis. It rises in the Aravalli and joins the Chambal on the eastern side.
Practice questions
- Which river lies west of the Aravallis?
- Where does the Chambal rise?
- Which river does the Banas join?
Answers and explanations
- The Luni. It is the river west of the Aravallis, and it is ephemeral.
- Near Janapav in Madhya Pradesh. It enters Rajasthan after that.
- The Chambal. The Banas rises near Kumbhalgarh and joins the Chambal in Sawai Madhopur.
Analogy
A roof ridge sends rain to two yards. The Aravalli is that ridge. West of it, the Luni takes the water toward the Rann of Kutch. The Chambal is a stream that starts in the neighbour yard, in Madhya Pradesh, and then crosses into Rajasthan on its way to the Yamuna.
Quick reference
Aravalli: northeast to southwest, the main water divide. Luni: west of the Aravalli, ephemeral, Naga hills near Pushkar, course to the Rann of Kutch. Chambal: Yamuna tributary, rises near Janapav in Madhya Pradesh. Banas: rises near Kumbhalgarh, joins the Chambal in Sawai Madhopur.