Pravara
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Pravara (प्रवरा) is the smallest of the major tributaries of Godavari River located in Maharashtra, India. It is the only major tributary of Godavari to have both its source and confluence located within the same district - Ahmednagar.
Variants
- Pravara River प्रवरा नदी, गुजरात, (AS, p.587)
Course
The Pravara rises on the eastern slopes of the Sahayadris between Kulang and Ratangad mountains in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra.
Close to its origin the river flows into the town of Bhandardara. Here, the Bhandardara Dam is constructed across the river forming the Arthur Lake. From hereon the river takes an east ward course and 58 km downstream, reaches another city- Sangamner, where the river Mahalungi confluences with it. This is the second largest city within the Ahmednagar District. Continuing eastwards, the river is joined by another tributary, this time on its right bank: Mula River. The river then, reaches the town of Nevasa and flows 12 km to the east where it finally empties itself into the Godavari River at Pravara Sangam[1] located 208 km from its source of origin.
History
In Mahabharata
Pravara (प्रवरा ) (River) in Mahabharata (VI.10.22)
Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces of Bharatavarsha. Pravara (प्रवरा) (River) is mentioned in Mahabharata (VI.10.22). [2]....of Karishini, and Asikni, and the large river Kushachira of Makari, and Pravara, and Mena, and Hema, and Ghritavati;
प्रवरा नदी
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[3] ने लेख किया है .....प्रवरा नदी (AS, p.587) के तट पर अनेक प्राचीन स्थान हैं जिनमें श्रीनिवास क्षेत्र या वर्तमान नेवासा प्रमुख है. अन्य स्थान बेलापुर, श्रीवन तथा उक्कल गांव हैं जहां के प्राचीन मंदिर उल्लेखनीय हैं. इस नदी का नाम महाभारत भीष्म पर्व की नदी सूची में है--'करीषिणीं असिक्नीं च कुशचीरां महानदीम्, मकरीं प्रवरां मेनां हेमां घृतवतीं तथा' भीष्म.9,23