The Saptha Sindoh , or the Seven Sacred Rivers

All rivers are considered sacred in Hinduism , since they bring us life through their waters .
The Ancient Vedic Aryans when they first settled in the Punjab referred to the saptha sindoh or the seven sacred rivers . At that time the seven rivers were the Indus , its tributaries - Sutlej, Beas , Chenab , Ravi , Jhelum ( that formed the fertile plain of the Punjab ( land of five rivers ) and the Saraswati which once flowed in a basin between the Yamuna and the Sutlej . The indus formed the north eastern boundary of aryan civilisation at that early time and the Saraswati formed the diagonally opposite south western boundary , with the other five rivers flowing in between . Many hymns in the Vedas are in praise of the sacred Saraswati .

Now the Saraswati unfortunately no longer flows visibly , and is considered to flow underground and merge with the Ganga and the Yamuna at Triveni Sangam (meeting of the three rivers ) at Prayag .

Pride of place later was given to the Ganga among the sacred rivers .

As the Vedic culture spread all over India , the list of the seven sacred rivers changed , as reflected in the sloka , used to sanctify water ,
" Gange cha Yamune chaiva , Godavari Saraswati , Narmada Sindhu Kaveri, jalessmin sannidhim kuru"
May the ( rivers) Ganga , Yamuna , Godavari , Saraswati , Narmada , Sindhu ( indus ) ,Kaveri ,come and make their presence felt in this water ( before me ).

When two rivers meet , the place is considered specially sacred , called Sangam . These places are used for ritual bathing , and can wash away sins , and are pilgrimage spots .They are also considered ideal locations to build temples , as also are islands in the middle of rivers . The larget temple complex in India , the ancient Ranganathaswami ( reclining Vishnu)Temple at Srirangam , is located on an island in the Kaveri river .
Thousands of temples in India are located on the banks of rivers .
Hinduism recognised the importance of nature and the environment for civilisation very early on.