The Markanda river flows through the Sirmaur district, Ambala district and Shahabad Markanda town in Kurukshetra. Markanda river flows in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana and is the side stream of Ghaggar river. The ancient name of Markanda river was Aruna. It originates from the Shivalik hills and flows through the Haryana and Punjab before merging with the Ghaggar. The water drainage basin of Markanda river is divided into two parts- Khadir and Bangar. Many archaeologists identify the old Ghaggar-Hakra River as the Sarasvati river and civilization is developed on the banks of the Indus Valley.