The Rihand rises from Matiranga hills, in the region south west of the Mainpat plateau, which is about 1,100 meters above mean sea level.

The river flows north roughly through the central part of Surguja & Surajpur district for 160 kilometres (99 mi).

The Rihand and its tributaries form a fertile plain in the central part of the district stretching from its origin to Lakhanpur, Surajpur, Pratappur.

it is principal tributaries in Surajpur district are the Mahan, the Morana (Morni), the Geur, the Gagar, the Gobri, the Piparkachar, the Ramdia and the Galphulla.

[1] Many seasonal and perennial rivers join the Rihand reservoir such as the Kanchan, the Mayar and the Azir of Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh.