The river is named after a sage, named Sarabangar, who was seeking penance on the bank of this river.
Geography
There are two tributaries, called Keezhaaru (or, Periyaaru, or, East Sarabanga river) and Melaaru (or, Pattipadu aaru or, Pariyan Kuzhi aaru, or, Kootaaru, or, Kaataaru, or, West Sarabanga river). The two tributaries join together at Omalur to form the Sarbanga River.[3]
The Periyaaru river originates from Pattipadi, Yercaud and is fed from many small streams along the way as it flows westwards. It creates the Kiliyur waterfalls at Kiliyur before reaching the Vattakaadu Eri weir. The river then continues to flow westwards, before joining the Sarabanga river.
The Melaaru starts from the Karadiyoor hills, a part of Servarayan hills, however it flows towards north downhill and leaving the foothill at Attur Chat R.F. on the north-west side. The river then runs through Danishpet, Kadayampatti, Pannapatti before joining the Periyaaru at Omalur.
From Omalur, the Sarabanga river flows south-westwards, passing through K.R. Thoppur, Chinnapampatti, Dhadhapuram, Edappadi, Thevur, while feeding number of lakes. The Sarabanga river joins the Kaveri river in Pullagoundampatti, Salem near Annamar Kovil.