Tawi River

Tawi (तवी) is a river that flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. The Tawi is a major left bank tributary of the river Chenab. Tawi river is considered sacred and holy, as is the case with most rivers in India.

Source of Tawi

The source of Tawi is the Kailash Kund Spring at Soej hills in Bhaderwah. After flowing through the Chennani and Udhampur, Tawi passes through Jammu and joins the Chenab in Ranbir Singh Pura and then enters Pakistan-Occupied area of Kashmir.

Chennani hydro-electric power project constructed on River Tawi has a capacity to generate 23 MW of power.

Tawi river originates from Kailash Kund glacier in Bhaderwah (Doda district), and then flows through the Seoj dhar meadows in Doda district. Its catchment is delineated by latitude 32°35'-33°5'N and longitude 74°35'-75°45'E. The catchment area of the river up to Indian border (Jammu) is 2168 km² and falls in the districts of Jammu, Udhampur and a small part of Doda. Elevation in the catchment varies between 400 and 4000 m.

The flow of water in the river has been decreasing in recent years as the source glacier (Kailash Kund glacier) has been retreating.

Religious Importance

It is a belief of the Hindus of Jammu city that the river was brought to Jammu by Raja Pehar Devta to cure his father and was given the throne of Jammu City and was declared as 'Raja', i.e. King of Jammu with the blessings of Shri Mata Kali Ji (Bawe wali Mata). Most Hindus of Jammu city at present perform 'Mundan' (tonsuring) ceremony of their children at Devasthan of Pehar Devta Ji.

Confluence with Chenab

The length of Tawi river is about 141 km (88 mi). The river, in general flows through steep hills on either side excepting the lower reach for about 35 km (22 mi). The river is about 300 m (980 ft) wide at the bridge in Jammu city. The height of Gujjar Nagar bridge is 90m.

After traversing Jammu city, the river crosses into Pakistan's Punjab and joins Chenab river. Tawi is a major left bank tributary of river Chenab.

References

Back to Rivers/Rivers in Pakistan