The Barakar River is the main tributary of the Damodar River in eastern India. Originating near Padma in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand it flows for 225 kilometres (140 mi) across the northern part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, mostly in a west to east direction, before joining the Damodar near Dishergarh in Asansol, Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It has a catchment area of 6,159 square kilometres (2,378 sq mi). Its main tributaries Barsoti and Usri flow in from the south and north, respectively. Apart from the two main tributaries, some 15 medium or small streams also join it.

Maithon is a census town in Nirsa CD Block in Dhanbad Sadar subdivision of Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is situated on the banks of river Barakar