The Indus River, one of South Asia's principal rivers, receives its water from five major tributaries: the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Together, these five rivers give the Punjab region its name, meaning "the land of five waters" - mentioned in the Mahabharata as Panchanada, or "five rivers".
Course of the Five Rivers: The Sutlej originates in Tibet near Rakshastal lake in the Kailash-Mansarovar region and is the longest of the five. The Jhelum originates from Himalayan glaciers at Verinag spring in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab is formed by the union of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in the upper Himalayas. The Beas emerges from the Beas Kund, and the Ravi originates in Himachal Pradesh. At the end of their courses, the Sutlej and Chenab join to form the Panchnad River, which flows into the Indus.
Origin Stories: It is said that Sage Vasishtha, devastated over his son's death, jumped into the Sutlej River, which divided itself into many branches to protect itself from his power - giving it the name Shatadru, "hundred rivers". The Jhelum is said to have been created when Lord Shiva struck the ground with his trident at Devi Parvati's request, to purify the people of Kashmir. The Beas is said to have been created by Veda Vyasa, composer of the Mahabharata, and named after him.
Key Cities and Landmarks: Srinagar sits on the Jhelum, Ludhiana on the Sutlej, Amritsar (home to the Golden Temple) near the Beas, and Lahore on the Ravi. Important dams along these rivers include the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej - the highest straight gravity dam in the world - along with the Salal, Ranjit Sagar, and Uri dams. Mithankot in Pakistan, also called the "Land of Five Rivers", marks where the Panchnad River merges with the Indus.