The Punpun River is a tributary of the Ganges. It originates in Palamu district of Jharkhand and flows through Chatra, Gaya, Jehanabad and Patna districts of the Indian states of Jharkhand and Bihar. Punpun is a place named after the Punpun river in Patna which is situated on the bank of Punpun river. On the bank of Punpun people celebrate Chhath Puja.

Course

The Punpun originates on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, at an elevation of 300 m. The river mostly flows in a north-east direction and joins the Ganges at Fatuha, 25 km downstream of Patna. Many towns such as Sigori are located on the banks of the river.

Tributaries

The main tributaries of the Punpun are – the Butane, the Madar and the Mohar.

Other features

The 200 km 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 8530 km2. Agricultural area in the Punpun basin is about 5000 km2. The average annual rainfall for the basin is 1181 mm.

Religious significance

This 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.