River Kali Bein

About River Kali Bein

Origin

• The 165-km rivulet starts from Hoshiarpur, runs across four districts and meets the confluence of the rivers Beas and Sutlej in Kapurthala.

Features

• Odhra rivulet, and Mukerian Hydel Channel are the main source of water for Kali Bein.
• The ChhotiBein is a tributary of the Kali Bein.
• The Kanjli Wetland, a Ramsar site (a wetland site designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention), is supported by the Kali Bein.

Pollution

• Wastewater from cities and towns as well as industrial waste used to flow into the rivulet via a drain, turning its waters black, hence the name Kali Bein (black rivulet).
• In the wake of the Green Revolution, the Kali Bein became progressively polluted until it was cleaned and rejuvenated in a mass action led by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal in the 2000s.
• The ‘Kali Bein Model’ was cited as the blueprint for the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Significance for Sikhs

• The first Guru, Nanak Dev, is said to have got enlightenment
• When Guru Nanak Dev was staying at Sultanpur Lodhi with his sister BebeNanki, he would bathe in the Kali Bein.
• He is said to have disappeared into the waters one day, before emerging on the third day. This marks the beginnings of Sikhism and the start of Nanak’s teachings.
• The first thing he recited was the “Mool Mantra” of the Sikh religion (Ik Onkar).
• Gurudwara Ber Sahib, the principal shrine at Sultanpur, is situated on the bank of the rivulet Kali Bein.
• It is built by the side of an old ber tree which is believed to be the one under which Guru Nanak would sit in meditation.

Source: The Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Consider the following rivers: (2021)

1. Brahamani
2. Nagalwali
3. Subarnarekha
4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 4
3. 3 and 4
4. 1 and 3