Saraswati river flowing back to glory: Reclaiming the Civilisational Course

ADI BADRI, HARYANA- This hymn of Rigveda, written over 8,000 years ago, is a reverential invocation of several rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati, recognising them as sacred and vital forces in the Vedic civilisation. It proves that Sarasvati was mentioned alongside real and still-flowing rivers.

The Saraswati river originated in the Himalayas and flowed between the Sindhu River in the west and the Ganga River in the east, passing through Punjab, Haryana, western Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It finally drained into the Rann of Kachchh in the Arabian Sea (Sindhu Sagar). The Saraswati River disappeared due to climatic and tectonic changes. There are more than 77 references to the Saraswati River in the Rigveda. There is also mention of Saraswati in the Vedas, Puranas, and in the Mahabharat.

But when it was clearly written in the Rigveda that there was a Saraswati River, Marxist historians like Irfan Habib and Romila Thapar labelled it a ‘myth’. They conspired to erase Saraswati from our history and collective memory by denying its existence in academic discourse and school textbooks.

However, recent findings have exposed the hollowness of their claims. In Bahaj village of Deeg district, Rajasthan, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed evidence of a civilisation dating back 4,500 years. The excavation, which began on January 10, 2024, revealed several significant discoveries, including a 23-metre-deep paleo-channel, which archaeologists says are linked to the Saraswati River mentioned in the Rigveda.

To learn the history and the facts behind its re-emergence, the Organiser team visited Adi Badri, the origin of Sarswati River, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar in Haryana where the paleo-channels, sites and evidences of Saraswati River is clearly visible and attempt is being made to revive it.

Ground reality & Scientific evidence

First, we reached Peepli, Kurukshetra, where we met Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) Deputy Chairman Dhuman Singh Kirmach. While taking to Organiser about the reality of Saraswati River, he said, “Those who believed that Saraswati is a myth are 100 per cent wrong and are running fake narrative. The region and flow of Saraswati that you are seeing we have enabled it especially since the formation of the Saraswati Board in Haryana in 2015, this Board was formed exclusively for the rejuvenation of the Saraswati River and to restore its flow.

Today, from Bilaspur in Yamunanagar district to Vyaspur, where Rishi Vyas composed the Mahabharat the water of the Saraswati River is flowing through Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, and some parts of Punjab where Saraswati merges into local water systems. From there, it continues to Jind, Fatehabad, and up to Sirsa, covering 400 km, where we’ve successfully restored water flow for the past three years.

He then showed us a riverfront along the a river, and said, “This riverfront is being build on the Saraswati river. It is located right on the paleo-channel of the Saraswati. Our first MoU was signed with ISRO, and it was ISRO that provided us with the mapping of the entire paleo-channel of the Saraswati, from the Bandarpunch glacier to the Rann of Kutch. ISRO has given us this entire track, and all major research institutions have worked with us on this. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted research, ONGC carried out studies, and now CGWB (Central Ground Water Board) is also working with us. All the major national agencies have authenticated this track to be the actual course of the Saraswati River, that the Saraswati once flowed here, and is still flowing even today”.

He continued, “During the Mahabharat period, which is believed to have occurred around 5,000 years ago, Saraswati’s water flow had decreased drastically, nearly to the point of extinction, a fact mentioned in scriptures, including the Rigveda. Even in the Vaman Purana, there is a reference to Balarama Ji, the brother of Bhagwan Krishna, who did not participate in the Mahabharat war but instead undertook a pilgrimage along the Saraswati River”.

Tectonic Shift and Revival

Explaining, the reason behind the extinction of Saraswati river, he said, “The main reason behind the disappearance of Saraswati River was a tectonic shift. Saraswati originates from Bandarpunch glacier, one Tons river still flows from there. The Tons River merges into the Yamuna near Dakpathar, Dehradun, and it carries a large amount of Yamuna’s water. We believe Tons is actually Saraswati, and we are working to establish that. The entire water of the Tons River flows along the same paleo-channel of Saraswati. The GSI, Wadia Institute, IIT Roorkee, and other institutions involved in the research with us have found through their studies that this entire region corresponds with Saraswati’s route.

He further stated that in Baohli village, a direct connection has been established between the Saraswati River and the Saraswati Sarovar (reservoir). A water gauge has been installed at the site to monitor the flow tracking how much water arrives in the morning and how much is recharged by evening, with all data meticulously recorded.

The area also reveals the presence of unique aquatic life like tiny fish and shrimps species that are found exclusively along the banks of the Saraswati and are believed to have existed since the Vedic era. This continued presence is a testament to the river’s ancient legacy, and efforts have been made to revive and protect these species as part of the broader restoration of the river.

Tracing Saraswati’s path

Interestingly, all the archaeological sites excavated in Haryana are located on the paleo-channel of the Saraswati River, whether it is Rakhigarhi, Kunal, or Bhirrana. Kunal is considered to be part of a civilisation at least 10,000 years old, which flourished on the banks of the Saraswati and it is based on research by the Archaeology Department.

Explaining the channels and course of Sarawawati he said, “In Rajasthan, sites like Kalibangan and Pilibanga also lie on the Saraswati paleo-channel. Water from this region continues flowing toward Rajasthan. The Rajasthan government formed a committee recently, which focused on the Ottu barrage in Sirsa, where we have a massive lake spread across 1,500 acres.

First Excavated Site by ASI

From there, we proceeded to the very first site excavated by the ASI- Baholi village in Pipli. Dhuman Singh informed us that both Baholi and Bhagwanpura are archaeological sites that were excavated in the 1990s. He explained, “When ASI started excavation here, we found that it was abandoned land belonging to the local Panchayat. It is located right on the banks of the Saraswati River. During excavation, we noticed the sand found here, if you compare it with the sand found along the Saraswati tract in Rajasthan and Gujarat, it’s exactly the same. This entire region lies along the paleo-channel of the ancient river.”

He further elaborated, “The sand here is so porous that if we fill a pond in the morning, by evening, it will be half empty. That’s how powerful the recharge capacity of this land is. The paleo-channel is directly connected underground, and the soil has natural cavities that allow water to quickly seep down. This has led to a major improvement in the water level of the area. Local farmers are extremely happy. Since the Saraswati revival and construction of reservoirs like Saraswati Sarovar, the groundwater level has risen significantly. Earlier, rainwater used to drain away. Now, due to these reservoirs and the diversion of Saraswati waters into them, the rainwater is being stored and recharging the aquifers effectively. It has brought massive benefits to the entire region.”

Age-old baoli & confluence of Saraswati

After Kurukshetra, we headed towards Dhani Rampura village in Pehowa, where we met the local sarpanch Vikal Chobey, who took us to an excavated site. At that site, the Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) has constructed a baoli (stepwell), but the walls of the original baoli, still standing, are thousands of years old.

Vikal told us, “This area was once a confluence, where the rivers Aruna, Varuna, and Saraswati met, and people used to take bath here. The ASI had carried out excavations here across 11 steps, and now the site is being revived. Evidence of this confluence was also found near the Saraswati channel, along with the Sangameshwar Mahadev temple and an ancient ghat. Once fully rejuvenated, the water flowing in the river will help provide irrigation facilities to the farmers.” As we entered the baoli, we saw the ancient stone walls, and also found remnants of soil and stones, which are believed to date back to the Vedic period.

Saraswati flows, myths shattered

While moving towards Jagadhri, Yamunanagar, a few kilometers back, I saw a signboard with an arrow pointing towards the Saraswati River-1.3 km away. We started heading in that direction, and suddenly we noticed that many cars were also moving the same way. After a while, we reached the Satyug Saraswati Teerth Dham, Saraswati River, Saraswati Nagar. This dham falls under the Haryana Sarasvati Dharohar Vikas Board.

There, we saw large basins of the river. On asking a few people about the water, they told us, “This is the Saraswati River.” Then I saw two local men coming out of the temple inside the dham. I spoke to them, their names were Raman Kumar (49) and Suresh Kumar (58). I asked them about the river and since when it has been flowing. They replied, “This river comes directly from Adi-Badri, and this river is here for thousands of years. We have been coming here since our childhood. We worship here daily, and an aarti of Saraswati is held regularly.”

ASI excavation confirms civilisation

On Day 2, we met Lakshay Bindra, who has been involved with the Saraswati River project since 1985. I was fortunate to meet someone who had personally witnessed and learnt every excavation, research study, and survey on the river. He explained everything to me as he had experienced it. Interestingly, Lakshay Bindra had worked alongside Darshan Lal Jain, Moropant Pingale, and V S Wakankar, some of the earliest champions of the Saraswati revival movement. Inspired by their dedication, he had devoted himself to Saraswati’s service.

We began our journey that day from the Kapal Mochan Sarovar and Gaubacha Mandir, located a few kilometres from Yamunanagar. In ancient times, the Saraswati River used to flow through this area. One of the unique features of this site is that both Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji visited here. Guru Gobind Singh Ji came twice, in Samvat 1736 and 1745 and stayed here for 52 days. During his stay, he performed rituals on the banks of the Saraswati with the help of a local Pandit, whose family continues to carry out these rituals to this day. Pleased with the Pandit, Guru Gobind Singh Ji granted him two Hukamnamas . In memory of these historic visits, a Gurudwara named ‘Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi 1st & 10th’ was later established at the site.

On the way to Adi Badri, we stopped at Ranjitpur, where we came across an almost dried-up river basin, which Lakshay Bindra told us that it is Som River. He highlighted that another channel of the Saraswati merges with the Yamuna in Prayagraj, forming the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Through the course of the Som River, the Saraswati joins the Yamuna a phenomenon that occurred due to a tectonic shift.

At Adi Badri, we reached the site excavated by the ASI in 2002–2003. There are three key sites there:

ABR-1 (Adi Badri Archaeological Site & Remains): It is also known as ‘Simhara’ is a protected ASI site. A Saraswati Museum is also present here, where many excavated artifacts are preserved. Among them were ancient utensils, idols of deities, a Shivling, temple tops, and statues of Lord Buddha.

ABR-2: It is known as Intonwali (meaning “place of burnt bricks”), is approximately 6 meters tall. Excavation at this site revealed the remains of a massive brick stupa, which dates back to the 5th–6th century CE.

ABR-3: This site appeared like a residential complex. It included a staircase, drawing room, bedroom, water tank, and even a restroom, strongly indicating a planned settlement. Remarkably, another statue of Lord Buddha was found here wuth Yajna kund, suggesting the presence of a Buddhist monastery and stupa, proving that this site was once a thriving ancient civilisation.

Existence – Eternal and Evident

Geological Studies: Geological surveys and sedimentological analysis have identified paleo-channels and sediment deposits consistent with the hypothesised course of the Saraswati River, which align with descriptions in Vedic texts.

Archaeological Studies: Excavations along the course of the Saraswati River have unearthed remnants of ancient settlements, pottery shards, and infrastructure dating back to the Vedic civilisation.

Hydrological Investigations: Studies of groundwater have revealed the presence of subsurface aquifers and water channels consistent with the Saraswati River’s historical course, supporting that once a river system flowed in the region.

Remote Sensing and Satellite Imagery: High-resolution satellite imagery and remote sensing techniques have identified paleo-channels, dried river beds, and topographical features indicative of ancient river systems in the region by ISRO. Perennial sources such as the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers have been identified as part of the Vedic Saraswati River system.

Report by Alexander Cunningham: The first Director of the Archaeological Survey of India Alexander, mentioned in his four reports from 1862–63–64–65 that the entire region around Thanesar, situated between the Saraswati and Drishadvati rivers, is known as Kurukshetra, the “land of the Kurus.”

Revenue Record: In the 1917–1918 revenue records, the Saraswati River is clearly mentioned. (In legal terms, revenue records are considered solid evidence of land and territorial facts.) Village after village, revenue entries along the banks of the Saraswati have been found, which still
reflect Girdawari (land inspection) records for the Saraswati.

At that site, Lakshay Bindra showed me a peculiar stone which was large, heavy, and distinct in composition. It was unlike any typical stone found in the Haryana region. He explained that such stones are found only in the Himalayan belt and this one had mica sediments, giving it a unique shine. According to him, this had been carried down thousands of years ago by the strong flow of the Saraswati River, a natural proof of the river’s ancient force and presence. Witnessing all of this, it became increasingly evident that this region was once home to the Saraswati-Sindhu Civilisation. The richness of heritage, culture, population, and infrastructure pointed that such a civilisation could only have thrived with abundant water, i.e., through a mighty river system like Saraswati.

Witnessed the Saraswati in flow

As we continued our journey, we reached Saraswati Udgam Sthal, the origin point of the river. This is where Saraswati flows directly from the Bandarpunch Glacier. Watching the stream, Bindra pointed out that about 40 years ago, this flow was much stronger. Back then, Saraswati had four tributaries, Tons, Apara, Giri, and Som. However, due to tectonic shifts, most of these now merge into the Yamuna. As a result, the current flow has greatly reduced. The Saraswati Udgam Sthal is considered a highly sacred and geologically significant place. A temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati stands here. According to local lore and Vedic texts, this is where the river first emerges before disappearing underground and re-emerging in different parts of northwestern India. The area is serene, surrounded by forested hills, and is a focal point for pilgrims and researchers alike.

Sharing an anecdote, Bindra recounted that even former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had deep reverence for the Saraswati River. He once visited the Saraswati exhibition, where he was reportedly jumped delightedly upon seeing the evidence of Saraswati and smiled like a child. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen reasons, his program was later cancelled.

Mukesh Garg, the current President of the Saraswati Sodh Sansthan (established by Darshan Lal Jain), and a resident of Yamunanagar, told Organiser that numerous scientists and archaeologists have conducted surveys in this region, and the reports unanimously concluded that the Saraswati River still exists, but is underground. “When excavations began near Mughalwali village, situated between Bilaspur and Adibadri, a water stream emerged. When this stream’s flow was matched with the Saraswati Udgam Sthal, they aligned perfectly. This is one of the strongest proofs confirming the existence of the Saraswati.”

History rewritten with facts

On Day 3, we visited the Sanskriti Sangrahalaya in Kurukshetra and witnessed a rich collection of artefacts excavated or founded over time from the Saraswati basin. These included ancient pottery shards, utensils, Vedic-era stones, marble tools, idols, and remnants. The sheer volume of artefacts unearthed repeatedly from the same geographical region serve as compelling evidence that this area was once a thriving civilisation, which could not have existed without a perennial river like the Saraswati flowing through it.

Comprehensive and Sustainable

The revival of the Saraswati River involves reconnecting various water sources and natural streams. Water flow has been restored through linking rivers and feeders such as Chautang, Shahbad Feeder in Yamunanagar, Tangri, Markanda, and Ghaggar in the regions of Kurukshetra and Kaithal.

Development Projects

• 25 ghats have been constructed
•  4 riverfronts are being developed to boost cultural tourism
• Dam & barrage will be constructed at Adi Badri
• 15 reservoirs are under construction, including one spread across 350 acres, ensuring irrigation support for farmers and a continuous flow of water in the Saraswati River
• The Saraswati Mahotsav, celebrated on Basant Panchami every year, is now organised as a 7-day festival featuring various cultural programmes
• For the past two years, the Asht Kosi Yatra, a 36 km pilgrimage along the banks of the Saraswati River is being conducted

There, we also interacted with Dr Ramendra Singh, a member of HSHDB and Director at Vidya Bharati. When asked how the history of the Saraswati River was systematically erased from our education system, he said, “When we began working collectively on the Saraswati revival, we realised that the first step had to be the curriculum—what are we teaching our children? So, we approached the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Haryana first, and then the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). We pushed for the inclusion of all verified references to the Saraswati from our own research as well as findings from ISRO, GSI, and other scientific agencies. Today, students from Class 6 to Class 12 are learning about the Saraswati River through their textbooks. This is a big step forward.”

Bhagiraths of Saraswati

The monumental effort to transform the so-called ‘myth’ of the Saraswati River into a scientifically and historically validated reality has been shaped by the tireless work of individuals like Moropant Pingle, Darshan Lal Jain, and Vishnu Sridhar Wakankar. These visionaries can be rightfully regarded as the Bhagiraths of Saraswati.

Moropant Pingle played a pivotal role in initiating this revival. He was the architect of the first coordinated Saraswati research expedition. In 1985, he organised a month-long survey along the suspected course of the river from Adibadri in Haryana to Prabhas in Gujarat, covering approximately 4,000 km and identifying over 100 archaeological sites. He assembled a distinguished team of experts, including VS Wakankar, historian Satishchandra Mittal, and Dr Ratnakar. This fieldwork provided crucial geological, archaeological, and hydrological evidence of the river’s ancient course and remnants.

Later, under Moropant Pingle’s direction, Darshan Lal Jain was brought into the project. Jain dedicated over four decades of his life to reviving the Saraswati. He formalised the work through the establishment of the Saraswati Sodh Sansthan in 1999. His commitment mobilised scientific communities, religious groups, and institutions.

VS Wakankar also joined Moropant Pingle in the 4,000 km yatra, and during the yatra, he found numerous handwritten scriptures, ancient coins, and fossils, each offering tangible evidence that directly linked to the Saraswati River and its associated civilisation.

Neeraj Jain, son of Darshan Lal Jain, while speaking to Organiser, recalled a poignant moment, “Three people, Moropant Pingle, Suraj Bhan (former Deputy Speaker), and my father Darshan Lal Jain, were sitting in our home. Behind them was a board reading ‘Saraswati Shodh Sansthan’.”

Sharing an anecdote, Neeraj Jain said, “Since 1984, Moropant Pingle, VS Wakankar, and Darshan Lal Jain had been researching the Saraswati, but in 1993, my father was traveling with his driver and asked him, ‘Where have we reached?’ The driver replied, ‘Bauji, we’ve reached the Saraswati Bridge.’ That moment reignited him that even his driver knew about the Saraswati River. He immediately invited archaeologists, ISRO scientists, and geologists to investigate further. He also involved dharmic scholars and began linking the geographical trail with references from the Rigveda. He even led a yatra tracing Saraswati’s path.”

Neeraj further added that the mission of Darshan Lal Jain, Moropant Pingle, and VS Wakankar was not merely to prove the existence of the Saraswati River. “Their deeper motive was to dismantle the colonial myth of the Aryan Invasion Theory, fabricated by the British to divide Indians,” he said.

Dr Vinit Jain, a hydrologist by profession and also a resident of Yamunanagar, echoed Neeraj Jain’s sentiments. He said, “Thousands of years ago, due to tectonic shifts, the Saraswati vanished from the surface. But its paleo-channels still exist, and research and surveys have now proven this.” He added that in some places, Saraswati is still flowing above ground, and with proper scientific efforts and assistance from its tributaries, its re-emergence and revival are indeed possible.

An Inconvenient Truth?

One of the most eye-opening realisations from our fieldwork was the cultural richness of Haryana, which has long been underrepresented or even deliberately ignored in mainstream narratives. From the vibrant traditions of Kurukshetra and Pehowa to the archaeological sites of Adi-badri, Rakhigarhi, Bhirrana, and Banawali, this land is the cradle of oldest Indian civilisation. In fact, over 80 per cent of ancient Saraswati-linked settlements have been found in present-day Haryana.

All this raises a serious question, was Haryana’s cultural legacy suppressed in textbooks and popular history precisely because it stood as undeniable proof of an advanced and Vedic civilisation that thrived here.The attempt to erase this region’s significance seems less academic and more ideological, aimed at disconnecting the Indians from its dharmic roots.