Gomti River [Lucknow]

The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River (Hindi: गोमती Gomtī) is a tributary of the Ganges River. According to Hindu mythology the river is the daughter of Sage Vashist, and bathing in the waters of the Gomati on Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the Sanatana Dharma-Hindu calendar) can wash away one's sins. According to the major religious work Srimad Bhagavatam, the Gomati is one of the many transcendental rivers in India

The Gomti originates from Gomat Taal which formally known as Fulhaar jheel, near Madho Tanda, Pilibhit, India. It extends 900 km (560 miles) through Uttar Pradesh and meets the Ganges River near Saidpur, Kaithi in Ghazipur.

After 20 km from its origin, very small river Gaihaaee meets it. The river is a thin stream until it reaches Mohammadi Kheri(about 100 km from its origin),a tehsil of Lakhimpur kheri distirct, where it is joined by some tributaries like Sukheta, Choha and Andhra Choha. From here the river is well defined. Later other tributaries join this river. These are Kathina at mailani and Sarayan at Lakhimpur. Another major tributary is the Sai River, which joins near Jaunpur. At the "sangam" of Gomti and Ganges, the famous Markandey Mahadeo temple is situated.

After 240 km the Gomti enters Lucknow, through which it meanders for about 12 km. At the entrance point water is lifted from the river for the city's water supply. 25 city drains in the Lucknow area drain untreated sewage into the Gomti. At the downstream end the Gomti barrage impounds the river converting it into a lake.

The cities of Lucknow, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sultanpur and Jaunpur are located on the banks of the Gomti and are the most prominent of the 15 towns located in its catchment area. The river cuts the Jaunpur city into two equal half and becomes wider in Jaunpur.

The river collects large amounts of human and industrial pollutants as it flows through the highly populous areas (18 million approx) of Uttar Pradesh. High pollution levels in the river have negative effects on the ecosystem of the Gomti, threatening its aquatic life. On 25 July 2008, foundation stone for a sewage treatment plant was laid, which would have a capacity of 345 million litre effluents per day.