It originates in the Balaghat range of hills near the Ahmednagar district at an altitude of 823 metres (2,700 ft) and empties into the Godavari River.

It flows on the Balaghat plateau along with its tributaries: Terna, Tawarja and Gharni.

The other three tributaries of Manjara are Manyad, Teru and Lendi which flow on the northern plains.

The final stretch of the river forms the border between Maharashtra (west) and Telangana (east).

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the upper reaches of the Manjira in Maharashtra suffered environmental degradation, which increased runoff, as opposed to groundwater recharge, and increased erosion and silting.