Rivers in Kerala

There are 44 rivers flowing through Kerala. 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow westwards before emptying into backwaters or the sea . The rivers of Kerala flow in the same direction for a long distance. Three rivers also flow eastwards. Kabani , Bhavani and Pambar flow eastwards. Compared to the rivers of other states, our rivers are small. According to the notification of the Kerala government in 1974 , water courses of more than 15 km in length are included in the calculation of rivers. There are three rivers that are less than twenty km in length. Ramapuram river , Ayiroor river and Manjeswaram river. There are eleven rivers in Kerala that are more than one hundred km in length. Periyar, which is 244 km long, is the largest river in Kerala in terms of length and flow. Manjeswaram river, which is 16 km long, is the shortest. It is also the northernmost river in Kerala. Neyyar is the river that flows through the southernmost part of Kerala.

Major rivers of Kerala

■ Thiruvananthapuram - Karamana River , Neyyar , Vamanapuram River , Killiyar

■ Kollam - Kallada , Ithikkara River , Pallikkal River

■ Pathanamthitta - Pampa , Achankovilar , Manimalayar , Pallikkal River

■ Alappuzha - Manimalayar , Pampa , Achankovilar

■ Kottayam - Meenachilar , Muvattupuzha , Manimalayar

■ Idukki - Periyar , Thodupuzhayar , Pambar

■ Ernakulam - Periyar , Muvattupuzha , Chalakudy , Kothamangalam , Thodupuzha

■ Thrissur - Chalakudy River , Bharathapuzha , Keechery , Manali River , Chimmini

■ Palakkad - Bharathapuzha , Kalpathipuzha , Gayatripuzha , Kannadipuzha , Thoothapuzha , Bhavani , Karimpuzha , Siruvani , Kunthipuzha

■ Malappuram - Chaliyar , Kuttiyadipuzha , Kadalundipuzha , Korappuzha , Kallayi

■ Wayanad - Kabani , Panamaram River , Mananthavady River

■ Kannur - Valapattanam River , Kuppam River , Ancharakandi , Bavali River

■ Kasaragod - Chandragiripuzha , Manjeswaram River , Kavvai River , Uppala , Chitari River , Shiriya , Kariangod River , Kumbala , Mogral River

Periyar River

Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. Periyar Lake is an artificial lake where Periyar begins. The Sivagiri mountain in the Sahyaparvata is the origin of Periyar. In the Mullaperiyar case, Kerala has argued in the Supreme Court that Periyar originates from Chokkampetty, which is part of Kerala. The main tributaries of Periyar are Mullayar , Muthirappuzha , Perinjankutty river , Peruthurayar , Kattappanayar , Cheruthoniyar , and Thottiyar. The Pallivasal, Chengulam , Panniyar , Neryamangalam , and Lower

Pampa River

The Pampa is the third longest river in Kerala. The Pampa river was known as ' Baris ' in ancient times. The Pampa is formed by the confluence of the Pampa , Kakki , Azhutha , Kakattar and Kallar. The Perumthenaruvi waterfall is on the Pampa river. The Pampa enriches the Kuttanad region. Kuttanad is often called the ' gift of the Pampa ' . The Pampa originates from the streams of the Peerumedu plateau region. Finally, the Pampa splits into several branches and ends its flow at the Vembanad Lake.

Chalakudy River

The fifth largest river in Kerala. It is 145.5 km long. Although it originates from the Anamalai hills in Tamil Nadu, the Chalakudy River is formed by the confluence of the Parambikulam , Kuriyarkutty , Sholayar , Karpara and Anakayam rivers in Kerala. The Chalakudy River , which flows through Tamil Nadu and reaches Kerala, flows through Palakkad , Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. In Thrissur district , the Chalakudy River is formed by two waterfalls , Athirappilly and Vazhachal. The Chalakudy River joins the Periyar at Ilanthikkara (Puthanvelikara , Ernakulam). Later , they flow together and join the Kodungallur Lake and then the Arabian Sea.

Manjeswaram River

The largest number of rivers in Kerala flow through Kasaragod districts ( 12). The important ones are the Shiriya , Uppala , Manjeswaram , Nileswaram and Mogral rivers. The northernmost river of Kerala, the Manjeswaram River , is also known as the Thalapadi River. This river originates from the   60- meter-high Balepuni hills on the Karnataka-Kerala border and falls into the Uppala Lake in Kasaragod district. Later , they flow together and join the Arabian Sea at the Manjeswaram estuary between Bagra and Manjeswaram. The Manjeswaram River is also known as the shortest river in Kerala. The length of this river is 16 km. The Pavuru is the main tributary of the Manjeswaram River. This river flows only through Kasaragod district in Kerala.

Chandragiri River

Chandragiri River is a river that originates in Karnataka and flows into Kerala. This river is named after Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire. This river is also known as Perumpuzha and Payaswini. The river, which flows around the town of Kasaragod in a 'U' shape, originates from the hills of the Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka. It flows into the Arabian Sea. The length of this river is 105 km. Since the 14th century, this river has been considered as the traditional border of Malayalam and Tulu Nadu. The Payaswini River is the main tributary. The source of the Payaswini River is in the Pattighat forest in Karnataka. Another tributary of Chandragiri River, the Kudubur River, originates from the Talakaveri Hills and enters the Kasaragod district in Kerala, flows through the Malabar plains and falls into the Chandragiri River. Chandragiri Fort, a magnificent historical monument in Kasaragod, is located facing the Arabian Sea to the west and the Chandragiri River and its estuary to the north.

Bharathapuzha

The second largest river in Kerala. It is 209 km long. The Bharathapuzha originates in the Anamalai hills of Tamil Nadu. The Bharathapuzha flows through the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu and enters Kerala through the districts of Palakkad , Malappuram and Thrissur. The main tributaries of the Bharathapuzha are the Gayatripuzha , Kannadipuzhha (Chittoor River) , Kalpathipuzha and Thoothapuzha. The first steel barrage in Kerala was built across the Bharathapuzha. It connects Mannanur in Palakkad district and Painkulam in Thrissur district.

Chaliyar River

The fourth largest river, Chaliyar , is also known as Beypore River. It is 169 km long. It originates in the Ilambalerikunnu in Tamil Nadu. The Chaliyar, which flows through the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and reaches Kerala, flows through the districts of Wayanad , Malappuram , and Kozhikode. The main tributaries of Chaliyar are Chalippuzha , Punnapuzha , Pandiyar , Karimpuzha , Cherupuzha , Kanjirapuzha , Karumbanpuzha , Vadappuram River , Irinjippuzha , and Irunillippuzha.

Neyyar River

Neyyar is the southernmost river in Kerala. It flows through Thiruvananthapuram. It is 56 km long. It originates in the Agasthyamalai Mountains in the Western Ghats. The Neyyar, which flows through the Agasthyamalai Mountains and reaches Kerala, flows through the towns of Kallikkad , Kattakada , Ottashekaramangalam , Keezhattoor , Anavoor , Aruvippuram , Neyyattinkara and Thiruppuram. The Neyyar River flows into the Arabian Sea at Poovar, which is located near Kovalam and Vizhinjam. Neyyar got its name because it is located on the banks of the Neyyar. Neyyar, one of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries in south Kerala, is 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The Neyyar Dam and Gardens are other attractions here. The areas within this sanctuary include Agasthya Koodam , Chottupara , Varayattumudi and Agasthya Shaila Valley. Kerala's only Lion Safari Park is located in Neyyar. The Steve Irwin Crocodile Breeding Centre is also located in Neyyar. Boating and trekking facilities are available here.

Kabani , Bhavani , Pambar Rivers ( East Flowing Rivers in Kerala)

Kabani , Bhavani and Pambar are the east-flowing rivers of Kerala. Kabani originates from Wayanad district and flows into Karnataka. After flowing for 12 km along the Kerala-Karnataka border, Kabani enters Karnataka. Panamaram , Mananthavady , Noolpuzha and Bavali enrich Kabani with water. The tourist destination 'Kurava Dweep' is located on the Kabani River.

Bhavani is a river that originates in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and flows for 13 km to reach Kerala. It flows through Palakkad district and enters Tamil Nadu at Kalkandiyur. The Siruvanipuzha and Varagar are the tributaries of Bhavani.

Pambar is a river that originates from Devikulam in Idukki district and flows for 25 km through Kerala before entering Tamil Nadu It is also known as ' Thalayar The main tributaries of Pambar are the Eravikulam , Mailadi , Theerthamala , Changalar and Thenar. Pambar and Thenar meet in Tamil Nadu to form Amaravati, one of the main tributaries of Cauvery. Thuvanam waterfall is located in Pambar. The Kabani , Bhavanipuzha and Pambar are the tributaries of the Cauvery.