Rivers in  Kerala

Kerala has a rich landscape of rivers, streams and other bodies of water. Many of the rivers are small and entirely fed by monsoon rain.  Rivers in Kerala are one of the most important living water bodies in Kerala. There are 44 rivers in Kerala. All rivers originate in the Western Ghats and join the lakes or the Arabian Sea in Kerala. The Periyar is the largest river in Kerala at 244 km and the Manjeswaram River is the shortest river at 16 km.  Bharathapuzha is second and Pampadyar is third. There are 11 rivers over 100 km long. .44 Rivers are rivers with a length of more than 15 km. Of these, 41 flow west and 3 flow east.

Rivers in Kerala

West flowing rivers

1 Periyar River (244)

Periyar, is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge. It is a perennial river in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The Periyar possess significance role to the economy of Kerala. and generates a major proportion of Kerala’s electrical power via the Idukki Dam. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use.The Periyar has a total length of approximately 244 kilometres. The source of the river lies in the remote forests of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Various sources indicate the origin of the river to be Chokkampatti Mala, a peak on the southern boundary of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

2 Bharatapuzha River (209)

Bharathappuzha has five names, Ponnani River, Nila, Perar, and Kuttippuram River.  Bharathapuzha originates from various parts of the Western Ghats near the Anamailai hill ranges in Tamil Nadu as small rivulets. The Bharathappuzha has 11 reservoirs along the course of the river, Bharathappuzha is the lifeline of Kerala’s cultural map.

3. Pamba River (176)

The Pamba River is a longest river  of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha. Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba. The river is also known as Dakshina Bhageerathi

4. Chaliyar River (169)

The charming Chaliyar river is on the fourth when we consider the length of all the rivers in Kerala. Touching the boundaries the southern line of the river is called Chaliyamand and the northern part is known as Beypore. The most about this river is the fact that it doesn’t dry up even during times of drought.

5. Chalakudy River (145)

Chalakudy River fifth longest river in Kerala. The river flows through Thrissur district, Palakkad district and Ernakulam district. The river has some origin in the Anamalai region of Tamil Nadu, and it has a  collection of some major tributaries originated from Parambikulam, Kuriyarkutti, Sholayar, Karapara and Anakayam.  The Chalakudy River is known for its diversity, as it contains 98 species of fresh water fishes out of the 152 species known from Kerala. Athirappilly Falls is situated on the  Chalakudy River

6. Kadalundy River (130)

Kadalundi River -Kadalundipuzha is one of the four major river of Kerala flowing through Malappuram district. The Kadalundi originates from the Western Ghats at the western border of the Silent Valley.

7. Achankoil River (128)

Achenkovil river originate from  the peak  Devar Mala  of the Western Ghats situated in the  Konni Reserve Forest. Achankovil is a river in Kerala,Total length are 128km, The Anchankovil flows through  Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It joins with the Pamba River at Veeyapuram, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala.

8. Kallada River (121)

Kallada River or Kulathupuzha is the longest river in Kollam District. The Kallada river originates in the Shendurney wildlife sanctuary in the eastern part of the Kollam district. Thenmala Dam is contructed on this river. It flows through the towns of Kulathupuzha. Kallada irrigation project (KIP) is the largest irrigation project in Kerala.

9. Muvattupuzha River

Muvattupuzha town is also the starting point of the Muvattupuzhayar (Muvattupuzha river), which is a confluence formed by three rivers: the Thodupuzhayar, Kaliyar, and Kothayar. Muvattupuzha is bordered by the Kottayam district on the southern side and the Idukki district on the eastern side.

10 Valapattanam River (110)

Valapattanam River is the largest river in Kannur , it is one of the most visited rivers in Kerala. It flows through popular towns like Iritty, Parassinikkadavu, and Irikkur.  Parassinikkadavu and other famous temples are located on the bank of the Valapattanam river.

11. Chandragiri River (105)

The Chandragiri River also known as Perumpuzha River is the longest river in Kasaragod district, Kerala.  The Chandragiri River starts from the northern slopes of the Greater Talacauvery National Park in the Western Ghats at the Kodagu district.

12. Manimala River (90)

13. Vamanapuram River (88)

14. Kuppam River (88)

15. Meenachil River (78)

16. Kuttiyadi River (74)

17. Karamana River (68)

18. Shiriya River (68)

19. Kariangode River (64)

20. Ithikkara River (56)

21. Neyyar River (56)

22. Mahe River (54)

23. Keecheri River (51)

24. Perumba River (51)

25. Uppala River (50)

26. Karuvannur River (48)

27. Anjarakandy River (48)

28. Tirur River (48)

29. Neeleshwaram River (46)

30. Pallikkal River (42)

31. Kallayi River (40)

32. Korapuzha River (40)

33. Mogral River (34)

34. Kavvayi River (31)

35. Thanikkudam River (29)

36. Thalassery River (28)

37. Mamam river (27)

38. Chithari River (25)

39. Ramapuram River (19)

40. Ayiroor River (17)

41. Manjeswaram River (16)

East flowing rivers

42. Kabani (57)

43. Bhavani (38)

44. Pambar (25)

Frequently Asked Questions – About Rivers In Kerala

1  How many rivers are in Kerala?

There are a total of 44 rivers that flow in Kerala. Out of these 44 rivers.

2. Which are the major Rivers of Kerala?

1.Periyar River (244 km), 2.Bharatapuzha River (209 km),3.Pamba River (176 km), 4.        Chaliyar River (169 km), 5. Chalakudy River (145 km), 6.Kadalundy River (130 km), 7.Achankoil River (128 km), 8.Kallada River (121 km) 10.Valapattanam River (110 km)

3. Which are the East flowing rivers

Kabani (57), Bhavani (38), Pambar (25)

4. Which is the longest  river in Kerala

Periyar  River (244 km) is the the longest river in Kerala

5. Which is the smallest  river in Kerala

The smallest river in Kerala is the Manjeswaram Puzha. The length of this Kerala river is only 16 kilometers

6. Which district has more  rivers in Kerala

The Idukki district of Kerala has  most of the rivers. There are around 12 rivers in Idukki and 11 rivers in Palakkad.

7. Which is the deepest river in Kerala?

Periyar River is the deepest at Idukki also the longest river in Kerala. Periyar river is around 244 kilometers long.

8.  Which river in Kerala was known as Baris?

River Pamba is also known as River Baris or ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi’ .

9. What is the best time to visit Kerala?

The monsoon and winter season is considered to be the best time to visit Kerala. Months from September to March are the best to witness God’s Own Country..

10. Which is the northernmost river in Kerala?

The northernmost river is the Bharathapuzha River which is also known as Nila River

11. What is the length of the Kabini river in Kerala?

The Kabini river in Kerala is 57 km in length.

12. Which are the religious significance  rivers in Kerala

Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Valapattanam River  are of religious significance and importance for the people of Kerala

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