The warrior sage “Parasuraman”, by a throw of his axe reclaimed Kerala from the sea as legend goes. Whatever the truth, the fact remains that Kerala is a land with a huge necklace of canals, lagoons, lakes and rivers
Water bodies represent the most rapidly renewing and most enduring geomorphic features on the surface of the planet. As a result of the complex interactions of climate, running water and land, rivers are shaped by landscapes as much as landscapes are shaped by rivers. Rivers have been an integral part of human development throughout history. They can be considered the pillars of human civilization as they have formed the nuclei for human settlements from the very origins of mankind.
Backwaters include lakes and ocean inlets (Arabian Sea), which stretch irregularly along the coast. In other words, it’s a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across river mouths. Natural and artificial canals and rivulets link the backwaters. 34 lakes in the state some of which are Vembanad, Ashtamudi, Sasthamkoota, Pookat etc. The still water of these serene lakes offers a feeling of tranquility amidst nature.
Vembanad Lake is the largest stretch of backwaters, lies at sea level, and is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island. Canals link the lake to coastal lakes to the north and south. Several rivers flow into the lake, including the Achenkovil, Manimala, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Pamba and Periyar. Ashtamudi Lake has eight 'arms' covering a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest lake in the state. Pookat Lake is a natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest and rolling hills in Wayanad district in the north.
Rivers are an important part of Kerala’s landscape and flowing water in the most characteristic feature of the State. The luxuriant moist forests that once clothed the Western Ghats, coupled with the abundant rainfall gave rise to the 44 rivers (41 West flowing and 3 East flowing) of Kerala. These rivers are the life - line of the unique culture of this State. The State owes its prosperity to its rivers. All these rivers are rain fed. The rivers of Kerala are small and flow fast because of the hilly nature of the terrain and the shorter distance between the mountain and the sea. They have no deltas. They fuse with the Arabian Sea either directly, or through the medium of the backwaters. Some smaller rivers, like the Kumbala, and Bekal, have separate watersheds, and drain into the sea through the channel of the backwaters. The rivers are
Periyar River (244) - Longest River in the state. Also called "The Lifeline of Kerala". It originates in the Western Ghats range and flows north through Periyar national park to Periyar Lake. Now the river flows northwest to empty into Vembanad Lake, before into the Arabian Sea.
Edamala River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Cheruthoni River - It is known for being a hamlet adjacent to the famed 'Idukki Hydel reservoir dams'. It is also one of the major tributaries of the Periyar.
Mullayar River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Muthirapuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Perinjankutti River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Bharatapuzha River (209) - Second longest river after Periyar, also called 'Nila'. Originates in Western Ghats in TN, flows westward through Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram, until it empties into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani.
Thuthapuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Kintipuzha, one of its tributaries flows through the Silent Valley.
Gayathripuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates in Anamalai hills, passes through Nanmara and Wadakanchery before it joins the former at Mayannur.
Kalpathipuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates deep inside Palakkad district, north of Walayar. Formed from the confluence of four streams namely Malampuzha, Walayar, Korayar and Varattar. The Malampuzha Dam is build over this river.
Kannadipuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates in the foothills of Annamalai hills. It flows through the southern borders of palaghat before joining the former.
Pamba River (196) - The Pambayar River, formerly known as Pampa River, is the third longest river in Kerala and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. Sabarimala temple dedicated to lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba. Originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats and flows through Ranni, Thiruvalla, Changanassery and Ambalappuzha Taluks and finally empties into the Vembanad Lake at Kuttanad.
Chaliyar River (169) - Fourth longest river in Kerala, also called the Beypore River as it nears the sea. Originates in Ilambari hills in TN and flows through Malappururam district for most of its length.
Chalakuddy River (169) - Chalakuddy River is the one of very few rivers of Kerala, which is having relics of riparian vegetation in substantial level. Originates in Annamalai hills and runs through Chalakuddy town in the Thrissur District of Kerala. The Athirampally Falls and Vazhachal falls are situated on this river. It also has
the Chalakuddy dam. Chalakkudy River is formed by the conference of four major tributaries namely Sholayar, Parambikulam, Kuriarkutty and Karapara.
Parambikulam River - One of the four tributaries of the Chalakuddy River. The Parambikulam Dam is constructed across this river. This dam numbers one in India interms of Volume capacity.
Kadalundy River (130) - Originates from the Western Ghats at the western border of the Silent Valley and flows through the district of Malappuram and kozhikode.
Achankoil River (128) - River formed from the streams of the Rishimala River, Pasukidamettu River and the Ramakkalteri River. It joins the Pamba River at Veeyapuram in the Alappuzha district of Kerala
Kallada River (121)
Muvattupuzha River (121) - Originates and flows through Muvattupuzha town. Major source of water to this river are Kothayaar, Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayaar, which merge to form a single river.
Valapattanam River (110)
Chandragiri River (105) - Payaswini (Chandragiri puzha) is a river in Kasargode district. On the banks of this river is 17th century Chandragiri fort. This river is considered as the traditional boundary between Tulu Nadu and Malayalam regions of Kerala.
Manimala River (90)
Vamanapuram River (88)
Kuppam River (88)
Meenachil River (78) - Put together by several streams originating from the Western Ghats. Flows through the heart of Kottayam district of Kerala before empting into Vembanad Lake.
Kutyadi River (74)
Karamana River (68) - Karamana River is a river flowing through the Thiruvananthapuram city. The river starts from the southern tip of the Western Ghats at "Agastyar Koodam". The river flows westward and merges into the Arabian Sea at Thiruvallom-Karumam area.
Shiriya River (68)
Karingode River (64)
Ithikkara River (56)
Neyyar River (56)
Mahé River (54) -Mahé River also known as Mayyazhipuzha, flows through the state of Kerala and the coastal exclave of Mahé in Pondicherry. Prior to independence, the river was nicknamed as the "English Channel", because it separated British-ruled Thalassery from French-ruled Mahé. Originates in the hills of Wayanad in the Western Ghats, and traverses before culminating in the Arabian Sea at Mahé.
Keecheri River (51)
Prumba River (51)
Uppala River (50)
Karuvanoor River (48)
Anjarakkandi River (48)
Tirur River (48) - Tirur River begins in the Tirur taluk village of Athvanad in the Malappuram district and flows south-west to Thiruvnavaya and then north-west to Elamkulam where it turns south-west, joining the Bharathapuzha River which flows into the Arabian Sea near the coastal town of Ponnani.It is known for its beautiful mangroves and its many varieties of fishes and birds.
Neeleshwaram River (46)
Pallikkal River (42)
Kallayi River (40) - Kallayi River is one of the rivers in Kerala, India. It originates in Cherikkulathur in the Western Ghats. It is linked to the Chaliyar River by a man-made canal on the south side of the small timber village of Kallayi lying on its banks Korapuzha River (40) - Korapuzha also known as Ellattur River is a short river flowing through the Kozhikode district. The Agalapuzha and Punnoorpuzha are its tributaries and they originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha empties into the Arabian Sea at Elattur. The Korapuzha is generally considered as the boundary between the North Malabar and South Malabar in the erstwhile district of Malabar.
Mogral River (34)
Kaveripuzha River (31)
Puzhakkal River (29)
Manam River (27)
Thalassery River (28)
Chittary River (25)
Kallai River (22)
Ramapuram River (19)
Ayiroor River (17)
Bangra Manjeswara River (16)
Houseboat or Kettuvallam cruising is one of the major attractions of Kerala’s eco-tourism industry possible because of the vast water body in the state. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers – while u float!!
Not only lush greenery, nature has overfilled Kerala with waterways intricately meandering through the lands. Lagoons, lakes, canals and estuaries of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea, have created a fantastic backwater locale.
Kerala’s uniqueness lies in the backwaters found nowhere else in the world
Water bodies represent the most rapidly renewing and most enduring geomorphic features on the surface of the planet. As a result of the complex interactions of climate, running water and land, rivers are shaped by landscapes as much as landscapes are shaped by rivers. Rivers have been an integral part of human development throughout history. They can be considered the pillars of human civilization as they have formed the nuclei for human settlements from the very origins of mankind.Backwaters include lakes and ocean inlets (Arabian Sea), which stretch irregularly along the coast. In other words, it’s a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across river mouths. Natural and artificial canals and rivulets link the backwaters. 34 lakes in the state some of which are Vembanad, Ashtamudi, Sasthamkoota, Pookat etc. The still water of these serene lakes offers a feeling of tranquility amidst nature.
Vembanad Lake is the largest stretch of backwaters, lies at sea level, and is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island. Canals link the lake to coastal lakes to the north and south. Several rivers flow into the lake, including the Achenkovil, Manimala, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Pamba and Periyar. Ashtamudi Lake has eight 'arms' covering a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest lake in the state. Pookat Lake is a natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest and rolling hills in Wayanad district in the north.
Rivers are an important part of Kerala’s landscape and flowing water in the most characteristic feature of the State. The luxuriant moist forests that once clothed the Western Ghats, coupled with the abundant rainfall gave rise to the 44 rivers (41 West flowing and 3 East flowing) of Kerala. These rivers are the life - line of the unique culture of this State. The State owes its prosperity to its rivers. All these rivers are rain fed. The rivers of Kerala are small and flow fast because of the hilly nature of the terrain and the shorter distance between the mountain and the sea. They have no deltas. They fuse with the Arabian Sea either directly, or through the medium of the backwaters. Some smaller rivers, like the Kumbala, and Bekal, have separate watersheds, and drain into the sea through the channel of the backwaters. The rivers are
Periyar River (244) - Longest River in the state. Also called "The Lifeline of Kerala". It originates in the Western Ghats range and flows north through Periyar national park to Periyar Lake. Now the river flows northwest to empty into Vembanad Lake, before into the Arabian Sea.
Edamala River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Cheruthoni River - It is known for being a hamlet adjacent to the famed 'Idukki Hydel reservoir dams'. It is also one of the major tributaries of the Periyar.
Mullayar River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Muthirapuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Perinjankutti River - One of the major tributaries of the Periyar River.
Bharatapuzha River (209) - Second longest river after Periyar, also called 'Nila'. Originates in Western Ghats in TN, flows westward through Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram, until it empties into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani.
Thuthapuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Kintipuzha, one of its tributaries flows through the Silent Valley.
Gayathripuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates in Anamalai hills, passes through Nanmara and Wadakanchery before it joins the former at Mayannur.
Kalpathipuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates deep inside Palakkad district, north of Walayar. Formed from the confluence of four streams namely Malampuzha, Walayar, Korayar and Varattar. The Malampuzha Dam is build over this river.
Kannadipuzha River - One of the major tributaries of the Bharathapuzha River. Originates in the foothills of Annamalai hills. It flows through the southern borders of palaghat before joining the former.
Pamba River (196) - The Pambayar River, formerly known as Pampa River, is the third longest river in Kerala and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. Sabarimala temple dedicated to lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba. Originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats and flows through Ranni, Thiruvalla, Changanassery and Ambalappuzha Taluks and finally empties into the Vembanad Lake at Kuttanad.
Chaliyar River (169) - Fourth longest river in Kerala, also called the Beypore River as it nears the sea. Originates in Ilambari hills in TN and flows through Malappururam district for most of its length.
Chalakuddy River (169) - Chalakuddy River is the one of very few rivers of Kerala, which is having relics of riparian vegetation in substantial level. Originates in Annamalai hills and runs through Chalakuddy town in the Thrissur District of Kerala. The Athirampally Falls and Vazhachal falls are situated on this river. It also has
the Chalakuddy dam. Chalakkudy River is formed by the conference of four major tributaries namely Sholayar, Parambikulam, Kuriarkutty and Karapara.
Parambikulam River - One of the four tributaries of the Chalakuddy River. The Parambikulam Dam is constructed across this river. This dam numbers one in India interms of Volume capacity.
Kadalundy River (130) - Originates from the Western Ghats at the western border of the Silent Valley and flows through the district of Malappuram and kozhikode.
Achankoil River (128) - River formed from the streams of the Rishimala River, Pasukidamettu River and the Ramakkalteri River. It joins the Pamba River at Veeyapuram in the Alappuzha district of Kerala
Kallada River (121)
Muvattupuzha River (121) - Originates and flows through Muvattupuzha town. Major source of water to this river are Kothayaar, Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayaar, which merge to form a single river.
Valapattanam River (110)
Chandragiri River (105) - Payaswini (Chandragiri puzha) is a river in Kasargode district. On the banks of this river is 17th century Chandragiri fort. This river is considered as the traditional boundary between Tulu Nadu and Malayalam regions of Kerala.
Manimala River (90)
Vamanapuram River (88)
Kuppam River (88)
Meenachil River (78) - Put together by several streams originating from the Western Ghats. Flows through the heart of Kottayam district of Kerala before empting into Vembanad Lake.
Kutyadi River (74)
Karamana River (68) - Karamana River is a river flowing through the Thiruvananthapuram city. The river starts from the southern tip of the Western Ghats at "Agastyar Koodam". The river flows westward and merges into the Arabian Sea at Thiruvallom-Karumam area.
Shiriya River (68)
Karingode River (64)
Ithikkara River (56)
Neyyar River (56)
Mahé River (54) -Mahé River also known as Mayyazhipuzha, flows through the state of Kerala and the coastal exclave of Mahé in Pondicherry. Prior to independence, the river was nicknamed as the "English Channel", because it separated British-ruled Thalassery from French-ruled Mahé. Originates in the hills of Wayanad in the Western Ghats, and traverses before culminating in the Arabian Sea at Mahé.
Keecheri River (51)
Prumba River (51)
Uppala River (50)
Karuvanoor River (48)
Anjarakkandi River (48)
Tirur River (48) - Tirur River begins in the Tirur taluk village of Athvanad in the Malappuram district and flows south-west to Thiruvnavaya and then north-west to Elamkulam where it turns south-west, joining the Bharathapuzha River which flows into the Arabian Sea near the coastal town of Ponnani.It is known for its beautiful mangroves and its many varieties of fishes and birds.
Neeleshwaram River (46)
Pallikkal River (42)
Kallayi River (40) - Kallayi River is one of the rivers in Kerala, India. It originates in Cherikkulathur in the Western Ghats. It is linked to the Chaliyar River by a man-made canal on the south side of the small timber village of Kallayi lying on its banks Korapuzha River (40) - Korapuzha also known as Ellattur River is a short river flowing through the Kozhikode district. The Agalapuzha and Punnoorpuzha are its tributaries and they originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha empties into the Arabian Sea at Elattur. The Korapuzha is generally considered as the boundary between the North Malabar and South Malabar in the erstwhile district of Malabar.
Mogral River (34)
Kaveripuzha River (31)
Puzhakkal River (29)
Manam River (27)
Thalassery River (28)
Chittary River (25)
Kallai River (22)
Ramapuram River (19)
Ayiroor River (17)
Bangra Manjeswara River (16)
Houseboat or Kettuvallam cruising is one of the major attractions of Kerala’s eco-tourism industry possible because of the vast water body in the state. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers – while u float!!
Not only lush greenery, nature has overfilled Kerala with waterways intricately meandering through the lands. Lagoons, lakes, canals and estuaries of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea, have created a fantastic backwater locale.
Kerala’s uniqueness lies in the backwaters found nowhere else in the world
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