Is Saraswati still flowing under Thar desert?

The

Saraswati River

, a prominent feature in the

ancient texts

of India, has captivated historians and geologists alike. Mentioned over 80 times in the

Rigveda

, more than any other river, the Saraswati was once considered a mythological entity, believed to have dried up around 5000 years before present (BP) due to climatic and tectonic changes. However, modern scientific tools have shed light on its existence and suggest that it may still be flowing, albeit underground, beneath the

Thar Desert

.

The river, originating in the Himalayas, was a significant part of the

Vedic period

(8000-5000 BP), flowing through Punjab, Haryana, western Rajasthan, and Gujarat before draining into the Arabian Sea. The Saraswati’s might and magnanimity are evident from the discovery of

Harappan civilization

sites along its banks, indicating its central role in supporting ancient cultures.
Remote sensing techniques and

geological studies

have revealed paleochannels under the Thar Desert, which align with the Saraswati’s described path. These findings are supported by satellite imagery and isotope analyses of ancient waters still stored beneath the desert sands. The

National Remote Sensing Centre

(NRSC) of India has played a significant role in these discoveries, providing evidence of the river’s underground channels fed by its old tributaries during the monsoon season.
The Saraswati’s disappearance is attributed to the shifting courses of its tributaries, the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. This gradual process was influenced by the region’s changing climate and topography, leading to the river’s vanishing act. The Thar Desert, now a vast arid region, was once home to a flourishing river that supported human settlements along its banks.

The ancient river’s course through the desert is not just a subject of academic interest but holds significant implications for water resource management in the region. Understanding the Saraswati’s subterranean path could lead to the development of groundwater extraction techniques that could benefit the arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The Saraswati River’s story is a fascinating chapter in the earth’s geological history. It highlights the dynamic nature of our planet’s geography and the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations that once thrived along its banks. The river’s underground channels are a silent witness to a past that continues to flow beneath our feet, holding secrets of a bygone era waiting to be rediscovered.