Beas River: Origin, Course, Tributaries, Dams, Basin

The Beas River is one of the most important rivers of North India. It plays a major role in the geography, history, culture, and economy of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Flowing through fertile valleys and plains, the Beas River supports irrigation, hydropower, and human settlements. 

From ancient Vedic references to modern dams and projects, the river continues to shape life in its basin. Read on to learn about the Beas River origin, course, tributaries, dams, basin, and its journey from the Himalayas to the Sutlej River.

Beas River: A Brief Overview

Beas is one of the five major rivers in Punjab, with its source in the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Historically, the Beas River marked the eastern limit of Alexander the Great’s conquests in India (326 BCE). Its Sanskrit name, Vipasha, links to Sage Vyasa. 

Mythology also surrounds its largest tributary, the Parbati River, particularly the legend of Manikaran involving Lord Shiva, Goddess Parbati, and Guru Nanak, highlighting the area’s spiritual significance.

This river holds historical and geographical importance, being a key source of water in the region. Here are key facts about this river:

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Beas River Origin

The Beas River origin is Beas Kund, near Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range.  The origin point is located at an altitude of about 4,365 meters above sea level. It flows through the Kullu Valley, then turns west past Mandi into the Kangra Valley. After exiting Himachal Pradesh, the Beas River in Punjab flows south-southwest.

The Beas River joins Sutlej at Harike. The Beas River basin has the second-largest catchment area in Himachal Pradesh. The Beas river course spans approximately 470 km in total.

For students preparing for competitive exams, studying the Beas River map is very important.

Beas River Course

The Beas River course begins in the high Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. After originating at Beas Kund, the river flows through the Kullu Valley. This region is famous for scenic beauty and tourism. The river then passes through Mandi district. Here, major hydropower projects are located. 

After leaving the mountains, the Beas River enters the plains of Punjab. In Punjab, the river flows through districts like Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Amritsar. The river finally meets the Sutlej River near Harike in Punjab. Thus, the Beas river course shows a transition from glaciers to hills and then to fertile plains.

Tributaries of Beas River

The Beas River tributaries include many streams. Northern and eastern tributaries are typically snow-fed and perennial. Southern ones are seasonal.

• Left Bank Tributaries of Beas River: Spin, Malana Nala, Parbati, Sainj, Tirthan, Jiuni, Suketi, Panddi, Son, Bather.
• Right Bank Tributaries of Beas River: Solang, Manalsu, Sujoin, Phojal, Sarvati, Awa, Banner, Banganga, Chakki, Gaj Khad, Luni, Uhl, Manuni, Harla.

The Parbati River is the largest tributary. Many of these join the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh.

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Dams and Projects on Beas River

Several important dams are built on the Beas River to harness its hydroelectric potential and manage water resources. These include projects for power generation and irrigation.

• Larji Hydroelectric Power Project: Located in Mandi District, it has a capacity of 126 MW.
• Pandoh Dam: Features a hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 990 MW. Water from Pandoh Dam is diverted to the Sutlej River.
• Pong Dam (Beas Dam): An earth-fill embankment dam with a capacity of 396 MW. This is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar and is a significant wetland site.

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