Chenab River

Chenab River (चनाव नदी) is a sacred river in northern India and Pakistan.

Overview

The Chenab is the largest of the five rivers of Punjab, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh. It flows 960 km through Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab (Pakistan) before joining the Jhelum.

History and Legend

The Chenab is mentioned in the Rigveda as “Asikni” (the dark one). The river flows through some of the most spectacular gorges in the Himalayas. It is sacred in local traditions and is associated with several Puranic legends. The bridge over the Chenab at Reasi is one of the highest railway bridges in the world.

Architecture and Features

Major sites along the Chenab include the confluence at Tandi, the Akhnoor bridge, and the Salal Dam. The river flows through deep gorges in its upper reaches before entering the Punjab plains. The Chenab is the main tributary of the Jhelum.

Modern Status

The Chenab’s water is shared between India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s Baglihar Dam and Pakistan’s Rasul Barrage are major structures on the river. The river faces pollution and sedimentation challenges.

Verification Notes

• Chenab mentioned in Rigveda as Asikni; course and hydrology documented by Indian and Pakistani surveys.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).