Trishuli River

The Trishuli is named after the trishula or trident of Shiva, the most powerful god in the Hindu pantheon,^[1] There is a legend that says high in the Himalayas at Gosaikunda, Shiva drove his trident into the ground to create three springs – which became the source of the Trishuli.^[2]

The sources of the Trishuli River lie in the Pekhu Kangri range (called Langtang Himal in Nepal) in Kyirong County in Tibet. Two major rivers, Kyirong Tsangpo (or Kerung Khola) and Lende Khola, merge near Rasuwa Fort at the Nepal border to form the Trishuli river. Trishuli river and its major tributary Langtang Khola merge near Syaphru (or Syapru Besi). Kyirong Tsangpo has a large basin extending beyond the town of Dzongka and numerous streams forming it: Zarong chu, Gyang chu, Prongda chu, Ublung chu, Tsalung chu, Ragma chu etc. After Ragma, it passes through a lush green alpine "Kyirong Valley" (elevation 2700 m) with several villages and Kyirong Town. Afterwards it enters a deep gorge before reaching Rasuwa Fort. The last stretch of the river is part of the Nepal–China border.^[3][4]

Lende Khola has two further tributaries originating in Langtang Himal, Richong Chu and Chusumdo Tsangpo, the latter again forming part of the Nepal–China border.^[3]

Even though the Trishuli river is physically formed at Rasuwa Fort,^[5] at this stage it is referred to officially by the generic name of Bhot Koshi ("The river from Tibet"). It is called Trishuli Ganga after receiving the Trisuli Khola stream originating in Gosainkunda near Dhunche.^[6] This would make Gosainkunda the official source of the river, and the river from Tibet a tributary.

Tributaries Tadi Khola and Likhu Khola join Tishuli near the city of Bidur. The valleys of these rivers provide a link-up to Kathmandu via the pass of Badh Bhangyang. These valleys made up the traditional route between Kathmandu and Tibet.

Proceeding further, Trishuli joins the Narayani River at Devghat. Narayani flows south-west into India and joins the Ganges.

More than sixty percent of the total drainage basin of the Trishuli lies in Tibet with about nine percent being covered by snow and glaciers. Eighty-five percent of its catchment area of 4,640 square kilometres (1,790 sq mi) lies above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) out of which eleven percent lies above 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). It has been regularly gauged at Betrawati at an elevation of 600 metres (2,000 ft). The average lowest and the melt season discharges of this river are close to average discharges recorded on the Narayani River.^[7]

Trisuli is Nepal’s most popular rafting river with impressive gorges, exciting rapids, some easier sections and easy accessibility from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Rafting in Trisuli is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Nepal. Trishuli River is made up of snowmelt from Mt. Ganesh and Langtang Himal. Chitwan National Park is also easily accessible.

Most of the travel and tour agents in Nepal show off Trishuli River Rafting as one of the most adventurous river rafting activities in Nepal.

The Trishuli valley also proves dangerous to travellers. The curvy Prithvi Highway has led to the death of many Nepalese traveling to or returning from Kathmandu.^[8] Every year, several buses and trucks fall and disappear into this wild river.

On 26 August 2026, a major flash flood occurred on the river, in particular its upper section at the Tibet border^[a]. The flood caused massive damage and loss of life in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot Districts and further downstream, it is considered one of the biggest floods in modern history and is exceptionally severe due to its sheer speed and the extensive damage it caused to infrastructure.^[9]