Which ancient river was found to actually exist?

a. Saraswati

b. Chandrabhaga

c. Both of the above

d. Neither of the above

ANSWER: Chandrabhaga

Explanation:

The ancient river is said to have flowed around 2 km from the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by King Narasimhadeva 1 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1255 CE.

The river holds an important position in ancient Indian literature.

Mythical stories around Konark include pictorial presentations such as palm-leaf drawings, sketches and old photographs indicate its presence close to the temple.

Other than the mentions, there is no visible trace of the river around the temple.

Scientists analysed satellite data using images from US satellites Landsat and Terra and from the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Radar Technology Mission in 2000.

Satellite imagery plus images from Google Earth have been used to show a sinusoidal trace characteristic of typical palaeochannel passing north of the Sun temple, extending approximately parallel to the coast.

The term effectively means remains of an inactive stream/river that has been filled or buried by younger sediment.

Field analysis shows the palaeochannel is associated with swampy lands covered with water hyacinth plants.

Surface profiling using ground penetrating radar further confirmed its existence as it shows the existence of the V-shaped subsurface river valley.

It can be traced till Tikarpada village, near banks of Kadua River.

A geological map shows heavy alluvium deposits in the area which is characteristic of rivers.

Numerous patches of water bodies have been seen in various locations along the channel and swampy areas believed to be part of the ancient river.

These have been reserved by the Odisha government for the holy bath during Magha Saptami.

Demarcations of pockets of freshwater zones within the dominantly saline water environment and a rise in drinking water concerns across the Odisha coast have been indicated as a result of this finding.