10 Rivers In Kerala that you must visit

When you plan a Kerala trip, you must keep a day to visit Periyar, Thekkady. After all, this magnificent river is the longest river in Kerala. Board a flight to Madurai or Kochi and then take the roadways to Thekkady. Once you reach, the tranquil vibes that it exudes will fill your heart with peace. Not to mention, the rippling waters of the river will be a treat to your eyes. When you reach near the river, you can enjoy soothing breezes brushing against your face. You can witness the Aluva Shivratri Festival on its banks if you come here on the day of Shivratri. For your knowledge, this river not only supplies water for drinking, but also for many other economic and religious activities. Being a perennial river fulfilling water needs for so many purposes, this river has earned the name of the ‘Lifeline of Kerala’.

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Originating in the Anamalai Hills, the Bharathapuzha or Ponnani river comes second on our list of rivers in Kerala that you must visit. Being a less crowded place, this river can be your ideal escape zone when you want to spend time in solace. You can spend long hours sitting on its banks cherishing the cool breezes and the scenic surroundings. During the Karkidaka Vavu festival, you will find people coming to this river to pay homage to their deceased fathers. What makes this river, even more, visit-worthy is that you can find houses of many renowned poets on its banks. In case you are wondering, you can fly to Kozhikode and from there, you can take a cab to Ponnani.

You can witness this river flowing from districts like Kuttanad, Kozhencherry and Karthikapally. But, we would highly recommend you board a flight to Kochi and then go to the famous Vembanad Lake where the river ends. Opt for a houseboat cruise which is one of the most sought-after things to do in Kerala. While boating, you can admire the greenery dotted all around in the islands and lagoons. If you are boating in the evening, you will get captivated by the gorgeous sight of the sunset on its horizon. After boating, you can head to the revered Sabarimala Temple, situated on the banks of the Pamba River.

If you fly to Kochi to visit Vembanad Lake, you can also see the Manimala river flowing here. Wait! Before you get confused, here’s the deal. Although the Manimala River and Pamba River both join at the Vembanad Lake, both have a separate course and origin. Apart from this lake, you can also spot the Manimala River flowing through districts like Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam. Come to this river to visit the virgin beauty of nature. Being surrounded by dense greenery, this river provides a great location to click nature photography. Also, when you come here, you can see the magnificent Muthuvara Hills where this river originates.

Flowing to the Lakshadweep Sea, the Chaliyar River ranks fourth in length among the total rivers in Kerala. After your flight to Kozhikode, when you reach the river, you can take a ferry ride to sail across the 170 km long river and unravel the hidden wonders along the river bank. The blue sky reflected on the surface of the water creates a spectacular sight, especially in the evening. It will surely lure you! You can go to the famous Malappuram district in Kerala to visit this river. By the way, don’t get confused if a local refers to this river as Chulika or Beypore River as these are its other names. You can witness this river literally any time of the year as it doesn’t dry up even during drought.

Next on our list of the major rivers in Kerala is the Kabini River that originates from Wayanad. So, if you lodge in a hotel in Wayanad, you can easily visit this river. You may also take a cab ride to Sargur to see the large reservoir that this lake creates over here. Many tourists flock to this reservoir. Here’s why. Around the river, animals like tigers, leopards, deers and elephants can be spotted. So, you get to see these and many other wildlife creatures roaming around near the reservoir. It’s a thrilling sight! You can also book a houseboat to explore the scenic beauty and cherish the splashes of this tranquil Kerala backwater. If you are planning to visit, board a flight to Mysore and then reach Kabini via roadways.

If you are coming to north Kerala, you should definitely visit this longest river of Kannur. Trek through the rocky terrains of Kannur to reach this river. It will be an exhilarating experience for you. Being a famous fishing harbour, you might get to see the methods of fishing conducted here. If you wish, you can indulge in fishing here as well. Another interesting activity that you will get to see at this river is the transportation of timbers. You will find collections of timber pieces floating down the stream. It’s a rare visual!

A flight to Mangalore, followed by a road trip to the Manjeswaram town will take you to the smallest river in Kerala. Running for only 16 km, the Manjeswaram River serves as a popular tourist spot. You can detect its source in the Balappooni hills. You will find the ruins of an ancient stone temple at the mouth of the Manjeswaram River. Intriguing indeed! If you reach the Manjeswaram estuary, you can encounter various aquatic creatures. That’s not all! Plenty of rare species of birds can also be seen here. So, sit on the banks of the river and indulge in bird watching for an eye-pleasing experience. You can also head to the Uppala Lake in Kasargod district as this shortest river in Kerala falls in this lake.

Book a flight to Thiruvananthapuram, visit the Neyyar River and host a fun picnic by the Neyyar dam formed by this river. While picnicking, you can enjoy the soothing winds coming from the river. The expansive river gushing down amid untamed naturescapes creates a sight worth staring at. Do click some pictures of yourself with your family and friends keeping the beautiful river and landscapes in the background. For some adventure, you can go for a jungle safari in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Thrissur, Palakkad, Ernakulam, whichever of these places you visit in Kerala, you can visit the Chalakudy river from there. That being said, the fastest way to reach the river is taking a flight to Kochi. After reaching the river, take a walk on the boulevards or sit by the river to cherish its scenic beauty. While sitting, you may spot some rare and endangered species of fishes in the river. But, nothing matches the sight of Athirapally and Vazhachal waterfalls that this river creates. It’s an alluring view! So, make sure you visit these falls to witness streams of water cascading from a huge height.

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So, these are the rivers that you must visit in Kerala. Trust us, you will have a pleasing experience in each of these locations. If you have made up your mind to see some or all of these rivers, go ahead, plan a Kerala trip and start exploring.