Assi River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Assi River Asi River | |
|---|---|
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| Native name | अस्सी, असी or असि (Hindi) |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Flows through | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Varanasi |
| • coordinates | 25°16′16″N 82°58′38″E / 25.27111°N 82.97722°E |
| Mouth | |
• location | Ganges (in Varanasi) |
• coordinates | 25°16′59″N 83°00′35″E / 25.28306°N 83.00972°E |
| Length | 8 Kilometer |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Ganges |
The Assi (Hindi: अस्सी) or Asi (Hindi: असी Asī or असि Asi [ˈʌsi]) is a small river in the city of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a minor tributary of the river Ganges.[1] Assi River is mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Padma Purana, Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Kurma Purana.[2] According to the Vamana Purana, the river was created by the gods alongside the Varuna River.[1] The river is eight kilometers long.[3] The Assi River is also referred to as Assi Nala by many locals, including the Varanasi administration.[4]
The Assi River has its source in the southern suburbs of Varanasi near the campus of Banaras Hindu University and meanders about five kilometers northeast. Originally, it emptied into the Ganges at Assi Ghat, the southernmost of the Ghats of Varanasi. In 1981/1982, the course of the Assi was artificially changed, and the mouth was relocated around 500 meters to the south.[5]
The Assi River originates in Kandwa of Varanasi and flows through Chitaipur, Karaundi, Karmajitpur, Newada, Sarai Nandan, Naria, Saket Nagar Nagwa before joining the Ganges.[3]
Although little more than a small trickle, the Assi River is of some importance because of its association with the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. According to traditional belief, the Assi River, along with the Ganges and the Varuna River to the north, marks the boundaries of Varanasi as a sacred space. The name Varanasi is therefore derived from the river names Varuna and Assi. However, it is more likely that the Varuna River alone, which was also known in older literature under the name Varanasi, gave the city its name.[6]
In 2017, a diversion was created by constructing a sewage-pumping system, resulting in a shift of the Assi River's confluence with the main river approximately one kilometer upstream.[7]
Mythology
The river is mentioned in the Puranas. According to mythological beliefs, Mahadev Kund was built at the spot where the goddess Durga threw her sword after slaying the demons named Sumbha and Nisumbha, and the Assi River originated from the water that emerged from it.[3]