Kaveri

The Kaveri (also known as Cauvery) is a major river flowing across Southern India. It is the third largest river in the region after Godavari and Krishna. The catchment area of the Kaveri basin is estimated to be and encompasses the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the union territory of Puducherry.

The river rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats. The source is located at an elevation of in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. The river flows for about through the Deccan plateau in Karnataka before entering Tamil Nadu. It flows further eastward in Tamil Nadu for before flowing into the Bay of Bengal near Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The river flows for a total length of about . The major tributaries include Amaravati, Arkavati, Bhavani, Hemavati, Kabini, Lakshmana Tirtha, and Noyyal.

There are a number of dams on the river which form part of an extensive irrigation system and are used for the generation of hydroelectric power. The river has supported agriculture for centuries and has served as the lifeline of several kingdoms in the past. Access to the river's waters has been a cause of dispute among the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for decades. The Kaveri basin is a densely populated region, with several towns and cities located on its banks.

The river is considered as sacred by the people of Southern India and is considered to be among the seven holy rivers of India. The river is often personified and worshiped as the goddess Kaveri. The river is mentioned in various Hindu religious texts including the ''Mahabharata'' and the ''Puranas''. In ancient Tamil literature, the river is referenced to as ''Ponni'' meaning "the golden one". Provided by Wikipedia