Bhima River (Chandrabhaga River)

The Bhima River, also called Chandrabhaga River (especially at Pandharpur), is a major tributary of the Krishna River in Western and South India.

Length: 861 km (535 mi).

States covered: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana.

Origin: Near Bhimashankar Temple in Bhimashankar Hills (Western Ghats/Sahyadri), Pune district, Maharashtra.

Altitude & Location: ~19°04′03″N 073°33′00″E.

Passes through Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Flow direction: Southeast for 861 km → joins Krishna River near Raichur (Karnataka–Telangana border).

Bhima merges into the Krishna along the border between Karnataka and Telangana about 24 km north of Raichur.At the point of confluence, Bhima is longer than the Krishna itself.

From Western Ghats / Pune region:

• Right bank: Aria, Indrayani, Dhomal, Mula-Mutha.

• Left bank: Kumandala, Vel, Kamania.

Further downstream:

• Ghod River (last Western Ghat tributary).

• Solapur region tributaries: Chandani, Kamini, Moshi, Bori, Sina, Man, Bhogavati, and Nira River (confluence at Nira Narsingpur, Pune–Solapur border).

Tulapur: Confluence of Bhima, Indrayani, and Mula-Mutha (historically significant – death of Sambhaji Maharaj).

Koregaon Bhima: Historical site of the 1818 battle.

Pandharpur: Sacred pilgrimage site; river known as Chandrabhaga due to its crescent-like bend.

Solapur, Daund, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi: Important towns along course.

Chas Kaman Dam (first major dam on Bhima).

Other tributaries also have reservoirs (Kalmodi, Ujani Dam on Bhima).

These support irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower.

Pandharpur Wari (pilgrimage) attracts lakhs of devotees of Vithoba (Vitthal).

The crescent-shaped river bend at Pandharpur symbolizes Chandra-bhaga (moon-shaped).

At Pandharpur (Maharashtra), the river bends in a crescent shape, resembling the Moon (Chandra).

Hence, it is called Chandrabhaga River

Sacred to devotees of Lord Vithoba (Vitthal); Pandharpur is a major pilgrimage center.