Shipra (Khipra) River | 27 Mar 2024

Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) conducted a performance audit (2016-17 to 2020-21) on the degradation of the Shipra River.

Shipra River:

  • Origin: The Shipra (Kshipra), a tributary of the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, flows across the Malwa Plateau.
    • It originates in the Vindhya Range from a hill called Kakri-Tekdi, which is in the north of Dhar and situated near Ujjain.
    • Major Tributaries: Khan and Gambhir.
  • Cultural Significance:
    • Ujjain is a sacred city on a river's east bank. It hosts the Sinhastha fair (Kumbh Mela) every 12 years and yearly celebrations for the river goddess Kshipra.
    • According to Hindu texts, the Shipra River originates from Varaha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Also, Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu, studied at Sage Sandipani's ashram by the river.
    • It is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain scriptures.

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