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Kerala is the land of Rivers and Backwaters. 49
Rivers, 46 flowing to the west and 3 to the east, cut
across Kerala with its innumerable tributaries and branches.
These rivers which are small and monsoon fed, turnout
to be rivulets in Summer. The Backwaters form a specially
attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala.
They include, lakes and Ocean inlets which stretch irregularly
all along. The biggest backwater is the Vembanad Lake
which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin Port. The
other important backwaters are Veli, Kadinakulam, Anjingo,
Edava, Madayara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungallur
and Chetwa. A navigable canal stretches from Thiruvananthapuram
to Tirur. |
| RIVERS |
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MANJESHWARAMPUZHA |
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The origin of this small river is in the northern boundaries
of Kerala in the Kasargode district. The river which flows
through the villages of Pavoori and Badajay turns west
and merges with the right bank of the Upplayar. The length
of the river is 16 kms. Manjeshwaram, the northern end
of Kerala is in the bank of this river. |
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UPPLAYAR |
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Originating from Veerakamba hills in the Karnataka State.
This is originating about 150mtr height from the Sea Level.
It flows through the Kasargode Taluk and merges in the
Arabian Sea. The length of the river is 50 kms. |
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MOGGRAL |
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Originating from the black forests of Nathoorkarathka
in the Kasargode district flows through Yathir, Mathur,
and Patla and merges in the Arabian Sea. |
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CHITTARIPUZHA |
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This is the combination of the small rivers from Cherambe,
Thayakolam, and Pulloor in the Kasargode district and
meets the Arabian sea in the west. |
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NEELESHWARAM |
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This originates in the Hosdurg taluk of the Kasargode
district. This the main source for the Kariyankode. On
the south west of the Neelaeshwaram town, near Achanthuruthu,
at a place called Kottapuram it meets the Kariyankode
river. |
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KARIYANKODE |
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The origin of this river is in the eastern ghats of Pathinalkadu
hills in Karnataka State. It originates about 1520 mtr
height from the Sea Level. Most of the tributary of the
Kariyankode River flows through south west. The length
of the river is 64 kms. It merges in the Arabian Sea. |
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SHIRIYAR |
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Originating from the Government forests in Karnataka State.
This is originating about 230 mtr height from the Sea
Level. The tributary of the river is Kallajathode, Kannynathode,
and Eramatti. It merges in Kumbala Lake in Arabian Sea. |
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CHANDRAGIRI |
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It is one of the most important rivers in Kasargode Taluk
in Kerala. The important tributary river is Payaswani.
It originates from Pattihatu forest in Karnataka State.
It flows through the west and combines with Machipuram
and finally merges in the Arabian Sea. The length of the
river is 105 kms. |
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KUPPAM |
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Originating from the Padinalkadu forests of Kodagu District
in Karnataka State. It originates about 1630 mtr height
from the Sea Level. The tributary of the river are Pakkatupuzha,
Alakutathode, Kuttilol Puzha, Mukkuttathodu and Chiriyathode.
It merges with Valapattanam River and merges in the Arabian
Sea. |
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KOWVAYIPUZHA |
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Originating in the Chemaeni village in Kannur district,
this small river flows through Alapadambu and Vadasseri
and into the Kawvayi canal. |
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PERUVAMBAYARU |
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This originates in the Western Ghats near Wayakkara village
in Kannur district. It flows through the west of Peringgoni,
Kuttur, Mathamangalam, and Kunchimangalam and reaches
Ezhimala and divided into two-one into the Kowvayi canal
and the other into the Arabian Sea. |
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RAMAPURAMPUZHA |
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Starting at the Irringal village in the Western Ghats
of Kannur district, it flows through Pariyaram, Kolapaduvayal,
Cheruthazam and Madayi into the Kowvayi canal. |
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VALAPATTANAM |
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Originating from the Brahmagiri forests of Kodagu district
in Karnataka State. It flows through the west and combines
with Kuppam River and finally merges in the Arabian Sea.
The Tributary River are Srikandapuram, Valiyapuzha, Bharapuzha,
Venipuzha and Aralampuzha. The length of the river is
10 kms. The largest Irrigation Project, Pazhassi Project
is situated in the bank of Valapattanam River. The places
which get the benefits of this irrigation project are
Thalassery, Mahi, Valapattanam, Ancharakandi and Kuppam. |
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KABANI
RIVER |
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The originates from Wayanad district and flows through
the North-East into the Bay of Bengal. The tributary of
the river are Panamaram, Mananthavadi, Babali, Noolpuzhu
and Nugu. The length of the river is 210km. |
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ANJARAKANDIARU |
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This starts at the government forests of Kunnoth in the
Kannur district, and merges with the Arabian Sea near
Thalasseri town. |
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THALASSERI
RIVER |
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This starts at the western cliffs of government forests
of Kunnoth in the Kannur district. It reaches the Arabian
sea at the north in Mannayad. |
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MAHE RIVER |
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Also called the Maiyazhipuzha, this starts from the Wayanad
Mountains in the Western Ghats and flows south-west into
the Arabian Sea. |
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KUTTIYADIPUZHA |
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Also called the Murad River, this starts from the Wayanad
Mountains in the Western Ghats and flows through Caracara,
Quilandy and Kozhikode into the Arabian sea at Kotakkal
in the south west of Vadakara. Kuttyadi Hydro Electric
Project is situated in this river and Kuttyadi irrigation
project is also situated in this river. |
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KORAPUZHA |
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The Agalapuzha and Punnoorpuzha in the Wayanad mountains
of Kozhikode district combine to form this river to merge
in the Arabian Sea at Elattur. |
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KALLAYIPUZHA |
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This originates at the Cherukulathur village in Kozhikode
and merges with the Arabian sea after flowing through
Kovoor,Ollavanna, Manava and Kallayi. |
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CHALIYAR |
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The most important River in Kerala, Originating from the
Elambalari hills of Neelagiri district in Tamil Nadu State.
It originates about 2066 mtr height from the Sea Level.
The tributary of the river are Cholapuzha, Cherupuzha,
Chalipuzha, Punnapuzha, Pandiyar, Karimpuzha, Kanjirapuzha,
Kurumbanpuzha, Vadapurampuzha, Irrinjipuzha and Iruthullipuzha.It
flows through the Nilambur, Mumbad, Edavanna, Arikode,
Vazhakadu and Farokke and finally merges in the Arabian
Sea. It is also known as Beypur River. The length of the
river is 169 kms. |
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KADALUNDIPUZHA |
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This is a large river flowing through the Malappuram district.
It is the combination of the Ollipuzha and Veliyar rivers.
This is also called the "Karimpuzha' or 'Oravanpuram
Puzha' and reaches the Arabian Sea at Kadalundi. |
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THIRURPUZHA |
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This is a small river flowing in the Tirur taluk of the
Malappuram district. it merges with Bharathapuzha at Ponnani
town. |
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BHAVANIPUZHA |
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It originates from Silent Vally in Kerala and merges in
the right bank of Kaveri. The important tributary of this
river are Shiruvani, Varagar, Kuntha, Kunnur and Moyar.
The length of the river is 216 kms. |
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BHARATHAPUZHA |
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This river starts in the Anamalai of Tamilnadu.It flows
through the district of Coimbatore, Palghat, Malapuram,
Thishivaperur and reaches the Arabian Sea at Ponani.This
is the second largest rivers in Kerala.The important tributary
of the river are Gayathri River, Kannadi River, Kalpathi
River and Thutha River. It is also known as Ponnaniyar
and the length of the river is 251 kms. The irrigation
projects of Bharathapuzha are Mangalam Project, Pothundi
Project, Gayathri Project, Malampuzha Project, Valayar
Project, Cheerakuzhi Project, Chitoor Project and Kanjirapuzha
Project. The tourist importance Malapuzha is at Malampuzha
Dam 12 kms from Palakkad. |
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KEECHERIPUZHA |
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This is called the Vadakancheri River. It is one of the
smallest rivers of Kerala. It originates in the western
cliffs of the Western ghats in Thalapalli Taluk. It flows
into the Arabian sea through the Keecheri and Koll canal
at Madukarai. |
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PUZHAIKALARU |
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This has its origin in the combination of the rivers of
Parathode and Pumalathode along with those of Naduthode
and Katacheruthode. It terminates into the Arabian sea
at Trissivaperoor town. |
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KARUVANNURPUZHA |
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This originates from the western parts of the Western
Ghats in Palghat. It flows through Thrissur district and
merges into the Arabian Sea. The rivers of manali and
Kurumali are the key sources of this river. It originates
about 365 mtr height from the Sea Level. Peechi Irrigation
Project is situated in this river. The Chimmoni Dam is
situated in this river. |
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CHALAKUDY
RIVER |
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The river through has its origin in the Anamalai region
of Tamilnadu is actually the collection of the falls from
Parambikulam, Kuriyarkutti, Sholayar, Karapara and Anakayam.
The famous Waterfalls Athirapally and Vazhachal is situated
in the banks of river. The famous Hydro Electric Projects
in Chalakkudy River are Sholayar Hydro Electric Project
and Peringalkuttu Hydro Electric Project. Chalakkudy Dam
is situated in this river. It merges with the Periyar
River at the village of Puthanvelikkara in Ernakulam.
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PERIYAR
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This originates in the Sivagiri hills along the border
of Kerala-Tamilnadu.It is the first largest river in Kerala.It
flows into the Vembanattu Lake and to the Arabian Sea.
The birth place of Shri.Sankaracharya, Kalady, and the
famous church at Malayatur is in the banks of Periyar.
The famous festival Mahasivarathri is celebrated at the
beds of this river at alwaye. Thattekadu Birds Sanctuary
is situated in the banks of river. The famous Wildlife
Sanctuary and Tourist place Thekkady is situated at the
side of Mullaperiyar Dam. The largest Hydro Electric Project
Idukki and the Arch Dam at Idukki is in this river. Pallivasal,
Chenkulam, Panniyar, Neriyamangalam and Lower Periyar
are the other Hydro Electric Projects in Periyar. Mullaperiyar,
Bhuthathankettu, Kundalam, Mattupetty, Munnar, Idukki,
Cheruthoni, Kulamavu, Irattayar, Lower Periyar, Edamalayar,
Chenkulam, Anayirangal and Ponmudi are the important Dams
in this river.
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MUVATTUPUZHA
RIVER |
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It originates in Idukki district, flows through Ernakulam
district to merge into Vembanattu Lake and to the Arabian
Sea. It is the combination of Thodupuzha River, Kaliyar
River and Kothamangalam River. There is a Dam constructed
for Irrigation purpose and for small Hydro Electric Project
at Malankara near Thodupuzha. The famous Thommankuthu
Waterfall is in this river. |
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MEENACHILARU |
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This River originates from the mountains of the Meenachil
Taluk. The source of this river are Kullathukadavaru,
Thrikovillaru, Poonjarapuzha, Chittur and Payyaparathodu.
It flows around Kottayam into the Vembanattu Lake. |
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MANIMALAYARU |
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This originates from the Tata hills of Idukki district.
It originates about 1156 mts from the Sea Level. It has
a length of 90 kms. It merges in to right of the Pamba
River at Nerrettupuram. The Holly Place 'Erumeli' is in
the banks of this river. |
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PAMBA RIVER |
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The Holly Place 'Pamba'(near to Sabarimala) is in the
banks of Pamba River. It is the combination of a number
of rivers originating from the lands of Peeramedu. The
tributary of this river are Kakkiyar, Azhuthayar, Kakkatar
and Kallar. This is the third largest river in Kerala.It
originates about 1650 mtr height from the Sea Level. It
flows through Ranni, Thiruvalla, Changanassery and Ambalapuzha
Taluk. The famous Rice producing place, Kuttanad Taluk,
gets water supply from Pumba River. The Aranmula Boat
Race celebrated here is very famous, and the Maraman Convention
at Maraman near Kozhenchery is also took place in this
river. It has a length of 177 kms. The famous waterfall
'Perunthenaruvi' is in this river. Maniyar Irrigation
Project is situated here. The Sabarigiri Hydro Electro
Project is situated here. The two Dams, One is Pambayar
and another Kakiyar are constructed in the banks of Pamba
River. It divides into several tributaries and finally
merges into the Vembanattu Lake. Pampa is treated as a
'Saint River'.
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ACHANKOVILARU |
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It originates from the hills of Achankovil in the Patanamthitta
and flows through Mavelikkara, Thiruvalla and Karthikapally
Taluk into the left of river Pamba near the Vembanattu
Lake. The famous place Pandalam, the native place of Lord
Ayyappa is in the banks is this river. |
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PALLICHELARU |
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This originates from the southern cliffs of Kalaritharakunnu
in Adoor. It merges into the Kozhikode canal near Karunagapally. |
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KALLADAYAR |
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This originates from Kulathupuzha Hills near Ponmudi,
flows through Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara and
Kollam Taluk merges into the Ashtamudi Lake. The tributary
river is Kulathupuzha, Chenthurnipuzha and Kalthuruthipuzha.
Pongumalayar, originates from Karimal Kadaikkal, Girikalayar,
Originates from Girikal Hills and Shankalipalamaru, originates
from Ponmudi Hills are joined into the Kolathupuzha. It
has a length of 121 kms.The Historical Hanging Bridge
is across this river at Punalur. The famous waterfall
'Palaruvi' is in this river. Kallada Irrigation Project
in Parappara near Thenmala and Ottakkal Irrigation Project
are situated in this river. |
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ITHIKARA
RIVER |
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This originates near Ponmudi and flows through Pathanapuram,
Kottarakkara and Kollam into Paravoor canal. |
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AYIROORPUZHA |
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It originates at Navayikulam, flows through M.C.Road into
the Edava-Nadayarakayal. |
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VAMANAPURAM |
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Originating from Chemunjimotta hills and is about 1860
mtr height from the Sea Level. The tributaries of the
river are Upper Chittar & Manjaprayar. This river
is also known as Attingal Aaru. |
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MAMAMPUZHA |
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This starts at Panthalakuttu hills at Vembayam. It reaches
the Anjuthengukayal near Cherayankeezhu. |
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KILLIYAR |
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It originated from Nedumangad Taluk in Trivandrum district
and flows through Trivandrum city and merges with Karamanayar.
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KARAMANAYARU |
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This has its origin in the Chemunji Mottai-Agathiyakudam
hills and reaches the Arabian sea near Pachallur. The
tributary river are Kaviyar, Attayar, Veyyapadiyar and
Thodyyar. There are two Dams are constructed in the river
one at Peppara and another at Aruvikkara for the purpose
of water supply to Trivandrum city and surrounding places.
The capital city of Thiruvananthapuram is in the banks
of this river. |
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NEYYAR |
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This originates at Agasthiyakudam Hills ,flows through
Neyyatinkara taluk into the Arabian sea near Poovar, and
has a length of 56 kms.The tributary river are Kallar
and Karavaliyar. The small canals of Vandichirathode,
Kulathoorvaliathode, Maruthurthode, Athiyanurthode, Thalayilthode,
Kottukalthode and Venganurthode are flows through the
Neyyar. There is an Irrigation Project, Neyyar Irrigation
Project constructed in 1973 at Kallikadu near Kattakada
about 35 kms from Trivandrum. This is a famous tourist
place and there has a Safari Park, facilities for boating
is available. |
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