Mayurakshi River, Deoghar, Jharkhand India

Mayurakshi River has been originated from Trikut hill about 16 kms from Deoghar in the state of Jharkhand. It flows through Jharkhand and then through the districts of Birbhum District and Murshidabad district in West Bengal before flowing into the Hooghly River. The length of this river is 250 kilometres. This river has a history of havoc flood.

The meaning of the term `Mayurakshi` is peacock`s eye. This river is named after its clear water of the dry seasons. This river floods during the season of monsoon. Even after the construction of Massanjore Dam during the rainy season it washes away its embankments. The Mayurakshi is fed by tributaries Brahmani River, Dwaraka River, Bakreshwar River and Kopai River.

Some of the historically major floods in this river were recorded by L.S.S. O`Malley in the Bengal District Gazetteers for the districts of Murshidabad and Birbhum. According to O`Malley the district of Birbhum in 1787 has a high flood which it is said, in some places swept off villages, inhabitants and cattle, the crops on the ground, with everything that was moveable. In September 1902, because of heavy rainfall the Brahmani and the Mayurakshi overflowed their banks and inundated the surrounding country in some places to the depth of 12 to 20 ft.

The main tourist attraction of Mayurakshi River is Massanjore dam which lies 30 kilometres away in the north eastern region of the district of Dumka. This dam is famous for its mesmerizing beauty. This dam was commissioned in the year 1955.

Besides the Massanjore Dam there is a barrage on Mayurakshi River at Tilpara near Siuri in West Bengal. The barrage is named Tilpara Barrage and is 1013 feet long.