Kallada River, Kerala
The Kollam district in Kerala also has rivers that contributes to its agriculture and daily requirements. There are two major rivers that flow through Kollam district and both of them are contributing in their own ways for the welfare of the people living by the side of the rivers. The two major rivers that flows through Kollam are:
- Kallada River
- Ithikkara River
The Kallada river is also calld as Punalurar and it is formed with the help of three rivers such as:
- Kulathupuzha River
- Chendurni River
- Kalthuruthy River
The Kulathupuzha, Chendurni and Kalthuruthy rivers joins together near Parappar in Thenmala, which is by the side of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottah road. After that the river flows for 121 km and it passes through the major towns that include:
- Punalur
- Pathanapuram
- Kunnathur
- Kulakada Pavithreswaram (Puthoor)
- Kallada
After flowing through these towns, the river ends at the Ashtamudi Lake, which is one of the major tourist attractions of this place. The Kallada river is mainly fed by the famous Palaruvi Falls and after a little downstream, the Chalikkari Aar also joins the river. Both these rivers flows in the westward direction before finally falling into the Ashtamudi Lake.
There is a suspension bridge that is built across the Kallada river in Punalur, where it flows in parallel with the Kollam – Shenkottai commercial highway. This bridge was build by the Travancore Maharaja in British style and it is still being preserved as an archaeological marvel. This bridge over the Kallada river attracts a lot of tourists, and it has already become a favorite travel spot for all.
The bed of the Kallada river is rocky and hence it makes it difficult for indulging in swimming and other entertainment activities in the river. You will be able to see huge rocks, deep pits and many other obstructions in the river, and thereby making it not suitable for any kind of leisure and fun activities.
The famous Thenmala dam is built on the Kallada river and this dam is one of the main irrigation source for the the region lying down the dam.
The Kallada river is also know for the Kallada Boat Race (The Kallada Jalotsavam) which is a major boat race that is held in southern Kerala. The Kallada Boat Race (The Kallada Jalotsavam) happens 28 days after Onam and during the event, we can see most of the famous snake boats in Kerala, participating in it.
Earlier, there were various industries that operated on the banks on the Kallada river and the waste materials discharged from these industries really affected Kallada river. Illegal sand mining is also another cause of worry for the river, and it is causing serious erosion and floods.
If you are an avid traveler and have a keen interest in visiting Kerala and exploring its culture and tradition, then the places surrounding the Kallada river can also offer you something worth cherishing. A lot of tourists from across the world can be seen visiting various places in Kollam on a regular basis and the place near the side of River Kallada is something that need to be mentioned.