State PCS
The Phalgu, the sacred river of Gaya in Bihar, is formed by the confluence of which two rivers?
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Answer: Option C — Mohana and Lilajan
Detailed Solution
The Phalgu river is formed by the union of the Lilajan (also called the Niranjana or Nilanjana) and the Mohana, a short distance south of Bodh Gaya in the Gaya district of Bihar. From there it flows north past the city of Gaya.
About the Phalgu:
It is regarded as a sacred river by Hindus.
Gaya, on its bank, is one of the most important places in India for performing pinda daan (offerings to ancestors). The Vishnupad Temple, believed to contain the footprint of Vishnu, stands on the Phalgu's west bank.
The river is mostly dry for much of the year, and water flows beneath the sandy bed. Pilgrims often dig into the sand to reach water.
According to a legend linked to the Ramayana, the river was cursed by Sita and so flows underground, which explains the popular name "Antahsalila" (underground river).
After passing Gaya, the Phalgu divides into branches and eventually reaches the Punpun river, a tributary of the Ganga.
About the Lilajan (Niranjana):
Bodh Gaya, where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha, lies on the banks of the Niranjana. Buddhist texts describe him bathing in this river before his enlightenment.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other rivers of south Bihar:
South Bihar rivers mostly flow north from the Chota Nagpur plateau into the Ganga. Examples include the Punpun, Kiul, Harohar and Phalgu.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Kiul and Harohar are rivers of south Bihar that join near Lakhisarai and flow into the Ganga.
- ✗The Punpun is joined by the Morhar and meets the Ganga near Patna.
- ✗The Bagmati and Kamla are rivers of north Bihar that rise in Nepal.
Quick tip
Remember: Lilajan (Niranjana) + Mohana = Phalgu; Bodh Gaya lies on the Niranjana and Gaya on the Phalgu (Vishnupad Temple).
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Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Rivers, Lakes & Dams of India, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's drainage system: the Himalayan rivers (the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems), the peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi and Mahanadi), their tributaries and origins, waterfalls, lakes, and the major dams and multipurpose river projects. Exams ask about the origin of a river, its tributaries, the cities on its banks, and the river on which a dam is built. For example, the Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Sutlej, the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada. Remember that the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea, while most peninsular rivers flow east. Practise the rivers, lakes and dams of India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.