The Pamba River (also called Pampa River) is the longest river in the Indian state of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South Ca ...

after

Periyar Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), revered as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam. He is known as the 'F ...

and

Bharathappuzha Bharathappuzha ("River of Bhārata"), also known as the Nila or Ponnani River, is a river in India in the state of Kerala. With a length of 209 km, it is the second longest river that flows through Kerala after the Periyar. It flows throu ...

, and the longest river in the erstwhile former princely state of

Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. A ...

Sabarimala The Sabarimala Temple (; ml, ശബരിമല ക്ഷേത്രം) is a temple complex located at Sabarimala hill inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. It is one of the largest ...

temple dedicated to

Lord Ayyappa Ayyappan an incarnation of dharma sastha, also called Manikandan, is a Hindu deity popular in Southern India, He is considered to be the epitome of dharma, truth, and righteousness and is often called upon to obliterate evil. Although devotion t ...

is located on the banks of the river Pamba. The river is also known as 'Dakshina Bhageerathi'. During ancient times it was called 'River Baris' and jordan of malankara The River Pamba enriches the lands of

Pathanamthitta District Pathanamthitta District (), is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. The district headquarters is in the town of Pathanamthitta. There are four municipalities in Pathanamthitta: Adoor, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvalla ...

and the

Kuttanad Kuttanad ( ml, കുട്ടനാട്‌) is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lo ...

area of Alappuzha District and few areas of

Kottayam Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south ...

Course

The Pamba originates at Pulachimalai hill in the

Peerumedu Peermade, also spelt Peerumedu (Malayalam: പീരുമേട്) is a village, Grama Panchayat and hill station in the state of Kerala, India. It lies above sea level in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri) about east of Kottayam on the way to The ...

plateau in the Western Ghats at an altitude of . Starting from the Idukki district and traversing a distance of through Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, the river joins the Arabian Sea through a number of channels. The basin extends over an area of with the entire catchment area within Kerala state. The basin is bounded on the east by Western Ghats and on the west by Arabian Sea. The river shares its northern boundary with the

Manimala River Manimala River or Manimalayar is a 92km long river which flows through South and Central Kerala. The river used to be wrongly considered as a tributary of Pamba River before satellite maps became popular, but this was proved incorrect. Manimala d ...

basin, and the southern boundary with the

Achankovil River Achankovil is a 128 km long west flowing river in Kerala, India, which flows through Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. The river drains vast tract of fertile plains of Upper Kuttanad in the Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta district ...

basin. The river flows through Chittar,

Vadasserikkara Vadaserikara is a village in Pathanamthitta district, in the state of Kerala, India. It is one of the 11 villages in Ranni and sits at the confluence of the Pamba and Kallar River.Nearest Railway Station Is Thiruvalla,Located At A Distance Of ...

, Ranni,

Ayroor Ayroor (also spelled Ayiroor) is a village Near Thiruvalla,located in the western part of Ranni taluk, in the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala state, India. It is bordered by hills and located near the Western Ghats. Ayroor was previously ...

, Cherukole, Keezhukara,

Kozhencherry Kozhencherry ( ml, കോഴഞ്ചേരി) is a census town in Pathanamthitta district of Central Travancore region (South Central Kerala) in Kerala state, India. census, the population was 433,357 people in 92,825 households. History Ko ...

Maramon Maramon is a small town on the Pampa River, in Thiruvalla Sub-District & Taluk opposite to Kozhencherry in the state of Kerala, India. It is 16 km from the Thiruvalla Town headquarters, the town of Thiruvalla. Maramon Convention M ...

Aranmula Aranmula is a temple town in the state of Kerala, India. It is known as the cultural capital of Pathanamthitta district, located at a distance of around 116 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, it is situated on the banks of the ...

, Arattupuzha, Edanad, Puthencavu,

Chengannur Chengannur (also spelled Chengannoor or Chenganur) is a Municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala State, India. It is located in the extreme eastern part of the Alappuzha district, on the banks of Pamba River. Chengannur is north o ...

Kallissery Kallissery (; ) is a small town in Chengannur Taluk of Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. Location Kallissery is a town on the MC ROAD part of the Thiruvanvandoor village in the district of Alleppey and is a prominent area of local busine ...

Pandanad Pandanadu (also known as Pandavar Nadu) is a village in Chengannur taluk in Alappuzha district, in Kerala, India.Parumala Parumala is a small village and island on the Pampa River in Thiruvalla Taluk ,Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India.It Is Part Of Thiruvalla Sub-District & Thiruvalla Constituency. Parumala is the site of the Tomb of St. Gregorios (Paruma ...

, Mannar,

Kadapra Kadapra is one of the developing Area in Thiruvalla Taluk, Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India. It lies near to Parumala and Niranam. Much development is occurring.It Is Part Of Thiruvalla Sub-District.It Also Comes Under Thir ...

, Melpadom, Thevery,

Veeyapuram Veeyapuram is a village in the district of Alappuzha, Kerala, India. It is located about 7 kilometers north of Haripad town. Geographics Veeyapuram is surrounded by the Pamba and Achankovil rivers. This village is under Kuttanad sector and ...

Thakazhy Thakazhy is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is part of the Kuttanad region bound by the backwaters and is located on the banks of the River Pamba. It is the birthplace of the famous writer Thakazhi Sivasanka ...

, Pullangady,

Pallathuruthy Pallathuruthy is a village in the Kuttanad region, in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. Geography ''Pallathuruthy'' is a water bound region surrounded by the Vembanad lake. Also, the ''Pallathuruthy Canal'' passes thr ...

before emptying into the

Vembanad Lake Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...

, while another branch flows directly via

Karuvatta Karuvatta is a village in Alappuzha District of Kerala region of India. It lies in between Haripad and Thottappally in Alappuzha, on National Highway 66. Karuvatta has a railway station, and the nearest airports are Trivandrum International ...

into Thottappally Spillway. One branch of Pamba called Varattar flows from Arattupuzha/ Puthenkavu and along Edanad, Othera,

Thiruvanvandoor Thiruvanvandoor (pronounced ) is a village Near Thiruvalla,in Chengannur Taluk in Alappuzha district, in Kerala, India.Eramallikkara and flows into

at Kallumkal East side. Another branch of Pamba flows from

Kuthiathode Kuthiathode is a gram panchayat in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Geography The Kuthiathode or the river stream was once the major waterway for transporting goods to the local market from Kochi via the Vembanad lake. His ...

and joins with

at Kallumkal West side, and branches out again at

Nedumpuram Nedumpuram is a village in Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta district in the state of Kerala, India.It Comes Under Thiruvalla Sub-District & Thiruvalla Constituency. Nedumpuram is the birthplace of Federal Bank. The Federal Bank Limited (the erstwh ...

from

and flows along

Thalavady Thalavady is an Upper Kuttanadu village and Panchayat located in Kuttanadu Taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. The village was ruled by King of Chembakassery Kingdom. Its geography is dominated by its vast lush green paddy field, unique ...

Edathua Edathua is a small village in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. It is located 12 km from Thiruvalla city center, National Highway 183 and the Thiruvalla railway station. Pilgrim Center St. George Forane Church, Edathua is the ma ...

Champakulam Champakulam is a village in Kerala, India. It is in Alappuzha district. Champakulam is part of Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, and is resplendent in green paddy fields, coconut groves and water fowl. Champakulam is an important tourist spo ...

, Pullangady, Nedumudy and empties into Vembanad Lake at

Kainakary Kainakary is a village in Kuttanad Taluk in Alappuzha District of the Indian state of Kerala. History Kainakary was part of the Chembakassery Dynasty. Geography Five rivers originating from the Western Ghats, including the sacred Pamba River ...

. This branch links with Mainstream Pamba River at Pullangady while continuing to flow to

Vembanad lake Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest lake in the state of Kerala. The lake has an area of 230 square kilometers and a maximum length of 96.5 km. Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known as Ve ...

. One branch of

joins with Pamba at Paippad/

, while another branch flows into Pamba again via Karichal,

Cheruthana Cheruthana is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining M ...

Perunthenaruvi Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls ( ml, പെരുന്തേനരുവി) are waterfalls from Pathanamthitta in Pathanamthitta District, Central Travancore region, Kerala State, India. It is a popular tourist destination situated in Vechoochira ...

is the major waterfall in Pamba river between

vechoochira Vechoochira is a village located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India.Nearest Railway Station is Thiruvalla,Located At A Distance Of 45km Location Vechoochira is about to from Erumely, a Hindu pilgrimage centre, and to from Ranni. ...

and

Athikkayam Athikkayam is a village located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State, India. It is a small village that is situated on the bank of the Pamba River It's one of the 11 villages in Ranni taluk. Demographics India census A census i ...

Tributaries

* Azhuthayar * Kakkiyar *

Kakkattar Kakkattar is a tributary of the Pamba River, the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala. This river passes through the places like Ranni-Perunad, Maniyar, Manakkayam, Seethathodu, Angamoozhy Angamoozhy is a village in Pat ...

* Kallar * Aadhi Pamba * Varattar *

Kuttemperoor Kuttemperoor River is a 12 km long revived river which acts as a tributary of both the Pamba River, Pamba and the Achankovil rivers in the Indian state of Kerala. It forms a link between the two rivers.The river has its northern end in the Pamba a ...

* Utharappalliyar *

Kolarayar Kolarayar River is a 8 km long revived river which acts as a tributary of both the Pamba River, Pamba and the Manimala River, Manimala rivers in the Indian state of Kerala. It passes through the panchayats of Kadapra and Niranam. References

...

* Njunungar * Madatharuvi * Kozhithodu * Thanungattilthodu

Topography of the basin, reservoirs and command area

Like all the river basins in Kerala, the Pamba basin also can be divided into three natural zones based on elevation, consisting of low land or seaboard, midland and high land. The coast for a short distance along the borders of lakes is flat, retreating from it the surface roughens up into slopes which gradually combine and swell into mountains on the east. The low land area along sea coast is generally swampy and liable to be flooded during monsoon inundation. The plains/midlands succeed low land in gentle ascents and valleys interspersed with isolated low hills. The high land on the eastern portion is broken by long spurs, dense forests, extensive ravines and tangled jungles. Towering above all their slopes are Western Ghats that form eastern boundary of the basins.

Endangered state

Due to drought and a lack of conservation and protection by the government, the Pampa River has shrunk to a stream and is totally dry in many places. Nearby wells have also dried up. Water for farming, such as paddy fields, is scarce. Experts are calling for governmental awareness of the dire situation and the need to rein in development that is destroying the environment. The Kerala High Court has initiated steps to control the pollution of the river from the practice of some visitors to Sabarimala who throw their clothes into it. As part of the Punyam Poonkavanam project, pilgrims have been exhorted to avoid the usage of soap and oil while bathing in River Pamba. They are also requested not to throw any material, including clothes, to this

holy river Sacred waters are sacred natural sites characterized by tangible topographical land formations such as rivers, lakes, springs, reservoirs, and oceans, as opposed to holy water which is water elevated with the sacramental blessing of a cler ...

. At a broader level, this project aims to spread the message of cleanliness and greenness beyond Pamba and Sabarimala.

Significance in Hinduism

Lord Ayyappan (Sri Dharmasastha) appeared to the

Pandalam Pandalam is a municipal town in Pathanamthitta district Kerala, India. Pandalam is considered a holy town due to its connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala. Rightly recognised to be the ''educational and cultural capital of Central Trava ...

Raja as a child on the banks of the Pamba River. The Pamba River has been venerated as ''Ganga of kerala,'' and devotees of Lord Ayyappan believe that immersing oneself in the Pamba is equivalent to bathing in the Holy Ganges River. Bathing in the river, believed to absolve one's sins, is a requirement before commencing the trek through the forest to the Ayyappan Temple atop

. The river pamba flowing in kerala state has many famous temple in its banks other than the Sabarimala.Tiruvalla Sreevallabhapuram temple, Adoor Mannar Temple, Aranmula temple, Chenganoor Mahadeva temple, Thakazhy Sree Dharma Sastha Temple are most famous few among them. The lake or Saras mentioned in Ramayana is Pamba saras and that is the basin of Present Tungabhadra river and the sabariyasram also situated very near. Then the old Kishkindha(Monkey city) or present day Hampi( UNESCO heritage site) also situated near that pamba saras near Hampi.

References

;Sources * * nwda.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/0413760650.pdf Rivers of Kerala

External links

Report made by National Water Development Agency on Interlinking of Pamba with Vaippar - PDF
{{Coord, 9, 30, N, 76, 25, E, display=title, region:IN_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki Rivers of Pathanamthitta district Rivers of Idukki district Rivers of Alappuzha district