Bharathappuzha
Bharathappuzha ("River of Bhārata"), also known as the Nila or Ponnani River, is a river in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. With a length of 209 km, it is the second longest river that flows through Kerala after the Periyar. It flows through Palakkad Gap, which is also the largest opening in the Kerala portion of Western Ghats. Nila has groomed the culture and life of South Malabar part of Kerala. It is also referred to as "Peraar" in ancient scripts and documents. River Bharathapuzha is an interstate river and lifeline water source for a population residing in four administrative districts, namely Malappuram and Palakkad districts, and parts of Palakkad-Thrissur district border of Kerala and Coimbatore, and Tiruppur of Tamil Nadu. The fertile Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands lie on its bank.
| Bharathapuzha | |
|---|---|
Bharathappuzha at Triprangode near Thavanur, Malappuram, India | |
Labelled map of Bharathappuzha | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Anamalai Hills |
| • location | Kerala, India |
| • coordinates | 10°36′N 77°07′E |
| • elevation | 2,461 m (8,074 ft) |
| Mouth | Lakshadweep Sea |
• location | Ponnani, Kerala |
• coordinates | 10°47′12″N 75°54′39″E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 209 km (130 mi) |
| Basin size | 6,186 km2 (2,388 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | mouth |
| • average | 161 m3/s (5,700 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Thuthapuzha, Gayathripuzha, Kalpathipuzha, Kannadipuzha, Tirur River |