Punpun River

The Punpun River is a tributary of the Ganges. It originates in Palamu district of Jharkhand and flows through Chatra, Aurangabad, Gaya and Patna districts of the Indian states of Jharkhand and Bihar.CourseThe Punpun originates on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, at an elevation of, The river mostly flows in a north-east direction and joins the Ganges at Fatuha, downstream of Patna.TributariesThe main tributaries of the Punpun are – the Butane, the Madar and the Mohar.Other featuresThe long river is mostly rainfed and carries little water in the dry season. However, during rains, the Punpun often causes heavy flood damages east of Patna city. The catchment area of the Punpun is. Agricultural area in the Punpun basin is about. The average annual rainfall for the basin is.Religious significanceThis river is mentioned in the Vayu and the Padma Puranas in connection with Gaya Mahatmya as the punah-punah (again and again) of which Pun-Pun is the colloquial form. The river might have been called by this name because it was frequently in spate. The Puranas interpret the word punah-punah in a spiritual sense that sins are removed again and again by offering oblations to forefathers in the river.