Chaliyar River of Kerala: Map & Course

The Chaliyar River is one of the most important rivers in Kerala. It is also known as the Chulika River, Nilambur River, or Beypore River. Flowing through the districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode, it is the fourth-longest river in the state with a length of 169 kilometers.

Geographical Features of Chaliyar River

Origin & Course of Chaliyar River

The Chaliyar River originates from the Ilambaleri Hills, located near the border of Wayanad and Malappuram districts in Kerala. From its source in the Nilgiri Mountains, the river flows primarily through the Malappuram district, meandering southward.

It mainly flows through the Malappuram district, with its tributaries running through both Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. Notably, the banks of the River in the Nilambur region are famous for their natural goldfields, where exploration has revealed significant gold reserves in the placers.

As the river continues its journey, it flows through several towns and villages. Further, it meets the Lakshadweep Sea at an ‘azhi‘ (estuary), where the southern part is known as Chaliyam and the northern part as Beypore. The river empties into the Arabian Sea at Beypore Port, opposite to Chaliyam Harbour.

Major Towns Along the River

The river passes through many beautiful towns and villages. Some of the cities along its journey are:

• Nilambur
• Mampad
• Kavanoor
• Perakamanna
• Areekode
• Vazhakkad
• Feroke
• Beypore

Waterfalls

Two notable waterfalls are located near the river’s source and add to its beauty:

• Meenmutty Falls: It is located near Vaduvanchal in Wayanad. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Kerala and serves as one of the primary sources for the Chaliyar River.
• Soochipara Falls: situated in the Chullikka River, which is a part of the Chaliyar River system. Known for its three-tiered drop, Soochipara Falls is surrounded by dense forests.

Tributaries

• Cherupuzha (Mavoor)
• Engappuzha
• Kadungampuzha
• Iruvanjippuzha
• Chalippuzha
• Kuruvanpuzha
• Muthappanpuzha
• Kottappuzha
• Cherupuzha
• Kanjirappuzha
• Karimpuzha
• Kuthirappuzha
• Punnappuzha

Also read: Perumba River of Kerala with Map

Bridges Over Chaliyar

• Myladi Bridge
• Edavanna Bridge
• Areekkode Bridge
• Edasherikadavu Bridge
• Elamaram Bridge
• Feroke Railway Bridge

So, this is all about the Chaliyar River and its key features. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share!