Which one of the following rivers thrice forks into two streams and reunites a few miles farther on, thus forming the islands of Srirangapattnam, Sivasamudram and Srirangam?

Correct Option (A):

Cauvery

The Cauvery River is unique among Indian rivers for its distinctive fluvial characteristic of repeatedly bifurcating into two streams and then reuniting a few miles downstream. This geological phenomenon leads to the formation of significant riverine islands. Three prominent islands formed by the Cauvery through this process are Srirangapattnam and Sivasamudram (both in Karnataka), and Srirangam (in Tamil Nadu). These islands hold considerable historical, cultural, and religious significance, each hosting a major Ranganatha temple, collectively known as Adi Ranga, Madhya Ranga, and Antya Ranga.

Incorrect Options:

The Tungabhadra, Krishna, and Godavari rivers are major peninsular rivers but do not exhibit the specific hydrological characteristic of repeatedly splitting into two streams and then reuniting to form a series of prominent, historically significant islands such as Srirangapattnam, Sivasamudram, and Srirangam. Their flow patterns and island formations, if any, are not of this distinct and repeated nature.