Gambhir River (Rajasthan)

The Gambhir River, which is also known as the Utangan River, is an ephemeral (seasonal) river in India which originates in Rajasthan state and confluences with Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state. Important tributaries of the Gambhir are Banganga, Sesa, Kher, Churaho and Parbati.

It originates near Karoli in Rajasthan and flows around Hindaun City, then through Bharatpur district, and through Dholpur district where it forms the boundary between Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states. It then enters Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh to finally confluence with Yamuna.

It supplies water to the Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

Origin
It originates from Karauli in Rajasthan and flows around Hindaun City. It flows from south to north up to Kanjoli-Katara Aziz village (Toda Bhim), then towards northeast up to village Mertha of Roopbas Block, before entering Uttar Pradesh. The river again enters Rajasthan near Catchapaura village in Dholpur District and forms the boundary between UP and Rajasthan. It then enters Mainpuri District in UP to finally joins River Yamuna. It flows between the city of Bayana and Brahmbad Village in the Bharatpur district.

Drainage
Banganga's tributary Sanwan after converging with Tildah river then converges with Banganga River, Banganga then converges with the Gambhir river (also known as the Utang river), Gambhir then converges with the Yamuna in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh, Yamuna converges with Ganges at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad.

Issues and conservation
Previously a perennial river, it has now become seasonal due to over-exploitation of water resources, lack of conservation actions and climate change. Since it is also the lifeline for the Keoladeo National Park, its conservation is urgently needed.

Meghadootam
Kalidasa in his poem "Meghadootam" beautifully describes the river Gambhira. There the poet said to Megha, "She is eager to receive you, so do not look away from her. Don't pick up the rest of her watery clothes, which by default are skinny and like handcuffs that are like riverbanks." It can be read as a temporary river status.