The Son is a very ancient river, its name derived from the golden-colored sand found in its riverbed. This golden hue has led to its various historical names, including Son, Shon Bhadra, and Mekalsut. In the Mahabharata’s Vana Parva, it is mentioned that merely bathing in, sipping, or even touching the river’s water grants the same spiritual merit as performing a Vajimedh Yajna (a horse sacrifice ritual). In the ninth century, the Sanskrit litterateur Rajashekhara classified the Ganga and Narmada as “nadis” (नदी) (feminine rivers) but the Son as a “nada” (नद) (masculine river). The Son is also known as Hiranyavahu (हिरण्‍यवाहु) a name suggesting an abundance of gold particles in its waters. Abul Fazl, in his Ain-i-Akbari, even mentioned the presence of gold-adorned stones (shaligrams) in the plains of the Son.

Origin and Course

The name Mekalsut (Son of Mekal) clearly indicates that the Son river originates from the Maikal mountain range, a unique ridge connecting the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada, lies on the western edge of this very range. It is believed that both the Narmada and the Son originate from Amarkantak.

According to the Department of Archaeology, the Son originates at Son Munda, a place between Pendra and Kenda. This is a long, narrow valley nestled between two uneven hills, where the river’s source lies in large pits, now known as Sonkund. After flowing through twenty to thirty fields to the northeast, the water disappears underground, only to resurface a short distance later, forming a large pond that eventually grows into a vast river. During the monsoon season, the Son carries red and yellow clay from the Vindhya and Satpura plateaus, significantly expanding its flow and width as it enters the plains.

The River’s Flow

The Son flows for a total of 784 kilometers, with its course spanning 500 kilometers in Madhya Pradesh, 82 kilometers in Uttar Pradesh, and 202 kilometers in Bihar. Its basin stretches from the Mahanadi in the west to the Koel tributary in the east.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Son flows through the districts of Jabalpur, western Mandla, Shahdol, and Sidhi. In Chhattisgarh, it covers Manendragarh, Sarguja, Raigarh, Jashpur, and Bilaspur. In Uttar Pradesh, it flows through the southern part of Mirzapur district. In Bihar, its course includes Palamu district, western Hazaribagh, and northwestern Ranchi.

The Son finally merges with the Ganga River in front of the village of Hardi Chhapra, about ten kilometers northwest of Patna.

Tributaries of the Son River

Right-bank tributaries: Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar, North Koel.

Left-bank tributaries: Ghaghar, Johila, Chhoti Mahanadi.

The Significance of the Son River

The Son is a crucial river for Madhya Pradesh, enhancing the state’s climate and natural beauty. It is the site of several important dams and bridges, including the Dehri-on-Son dam and the Koilwar bridge. The river’s water is known for being sweet and pure, making it an invaluable resource for the surrounding areas.