Kerala Rivers

• Water flows more than 15km is considered as rivers.

• In Kerala 41 rivers flows Westward and 3 rivers flows Eastward.

• These 3 east flowing rivers are tributaries of river Kaveri in Karnataka.

• 10 rivers in Kerala flows more than 100km.

• Priyar (244km) is the longest river in Kerala.

• Bharathapuzha (209km) is the second longest river.

• Pamba (176km) is the third longest river.

• Chaliyar (169km) is the fourth longest river.

• Manjeswaram puzha is the smallest river in Kerala.

• Northern most longest river in Kerala : Chandragiripuzha in Kasargod (Payaswini puzha)

• Southern most longest river in Kerala : Periyar

• Northern most river in Kerala : Manjeswaram puzha (Origin: Balepuni)

• Southern most river in Kerala : Neyyar (Origin: Agasthyamala)

• Which river is known as Beppur puzha in Kerala : Chaliyar

Periyar (244km)

• Longest river in Kerala.

• Starting from Sivagirimala.

• In ancient days it is known as ‘Choorni’.

• Periyar is known as ‘Life line of Kerala’.

• In Kerala most number of power projects lies in Periyar.

• Also Periyar is the river having most number of tributaries in Kerala-Muthirappuzha, Muvattupuzha, Mullayar, Kattapanayar, Cheruthoniyar, Thottiyar, Perunthurayar

• Kerala’s first power project Pallivasal Started in Muthirapuzha in 1940.

• Power stations in Periyar: Kundila – Idukki,Anayirankal – Idukki,Neriyamangalam – Ernakulam,Bhuthathan – Ernakulam, Mattupetti – First concrete Dam, Ponmdi – Idukki

• Cheruthoni – Highest Dam from sea level

• Idukki Arch Dam – It connects Kuravan-Kurathi hills

• Idukki dam built with the help of Canada.The site for Idukki dam was proposed by Kolumban.

• Periyar flows through two districts in Kerala, Idukki and Ernakaulam.

• When it reaches Aluva in Ernakulam it splits into Mangalampuzha and Marthandampuzha.

• The biggest Wild Life Sanctuary in Kerala, Thekkadi lies on the banks of Periyar.

• The biggest Tiger Reserve in Kerala is Periyar Tiger Reserve. It was founded by Sree Chithirathirunal in 1934.It was first known as ‘Nellikampetti’.

• The Biggest Bird Sanctuary in Kerala – Thattakadu lies on the banks of Periyar (Ernakulam)

• The Smallest Bird Sanctuary in Kerala – Mangalavanam lies on the banks of Periyar (Ernakulam).

• The Highest Church in Kerala Malayattur lies on the banks of Periyar at Ernakulam.

• The only Elephant training centre in Kerala, Kodanadu also lies on the banks of Ernakulam.

• Mullaperiyar Dam built in 1895. It is the oldest Dam in Kerala. It was built by Visakham Thirunal. John Penick was the architect. Contract signed by C Achuthamenon.

• Kaladi, the birth place of Sree Sankaracharyar lies on the banks of river Periyar.

Bharathapuzha (209km)

• Second longest river in Kerala.

• Starting from Anamala.

• At Coimbathur Bharathapuzha is known as Amaravathipuzha.

• At Palakadu Bharathapuzha is known as Chitturpuzha.

• Kerala’s largest dam Malampuzha built across Bharathapuzha in 1956.

• Bharathapuzha is also known as Nila and Perar.

• Tributaries:-Gayathripuzha, Kannadipuzha, Kalpathipuzha, Thuthapuzha

• Bharathapuzha is considered as Ganga of Kerala.

• Bharathapuzha flows through 4 districts – Coimbathur, Palakadu, Malappuram and Thrissur.

• At Malappuram Bharathapuzha is known as Ponnanipuzha.

• In AD 829 on the banks of Bharathapuzha first Mamankam took place.

• To break the celebration of Mamankam, Chavers were sent by the Valluvakonathiri.

• Major dams in Bharathapuzha:-Chulliyar Dam, Meenkara Dam, Valayar Dam, Pothundi Dam

• Kerala Kalamandalam (Vallathol Kalamandalam) lies on the banks of Bharathapuzha at Cheruthuruthi, Thrissur.

Pamba

• Pamba is the third longest river in Kerala.Other name – Dakshina Bhageerathi.

• Piruchimedu in Peerumedu thaluk is the starting point of river Pamba.

• In ancient days Pamba was known as ‘Baris’.

• Pamba is known as Kaveri of Southern Kerala.

• Also considered as the Lifeline of Southern Kerala.

• Major part of Pamba flows through Pathananthitta.

• The main tributary river of Pamba is Achankovilar.

• Gavi hill station lies on the banks of river Pamba.

• Events/Meeting related with river Pamba are:-

• Maramon Convention – Asia’s largest Christian community meeting

• Cherukolpuzha Hindu Mahasammelanam

• Kozhanchery speech made by C Kesavan in 1935

• Aranmula-Uthritathi vallom kali

• Aranmula Parthasarathi Temple, famous for Vallasadhya.

• Power projects in Pamba-Kakki, Kakkadu, Moozhiyar, Anathodu, Sabarigiri

Chaliyar (169km)

• Also known as Bepur puzha.

• It originates from Ilambaleri in Tamilnadu.

Kabani

• It is 57km long.

• Flows through Wayanadu.

• Tributaries : Panamaram and Manathavadi

• Kuruva Island lies in Ambukuthi Hills.

• Flowing eastward direction Kabani reaches Karnataka.

• There it become a main tributary of river Kaveri.

• Banasurasagar dam built across Kaveri.

Bhavani

• Second largest in east flowing rivers.

• Flowing east it reaches Tamilnadu.

• Main tributary : Siruvani puzha

Pambar

• Smallest in east flowing rivers.

• It flows through Idukki and reaches Tamilnadu.

• It also flows through Marayur Chandhanakadu.

• Main tributary : Thenar

Some Facts

• Dharmmadam island lies in Ancharakandipuzha.

• Meenachilar is an important river in Kottayam.

• Athirappalli water fall is in Chalakudipuzha.

• The river flows through Silent Velley is Kundhipuzha.

• Aruvipuram Siva temple lies on the banks of Neyyar.

• Aruvikkara dam built across Karamanayar.

• In Kerala most number of rivers flows through Kasargod district.

• Sholayar dam built across Chalakudipuzha.

• Pathrakadavu project was in Kundhipuzha.

• Yellow river of Kerala : Kuttyadi puzha

• Longest river in Thiruvananthapuram : Vamanapuram puzha