Rivers in kerala

There are 44 rivers in the state -- 41 west flowing and 3 (Kabini, Bhavani andPampar) east flowing.The state is rich in water potential, but no long rivers. The majorrivers are Nila (Bharata puzha or Perar), Periyar and Pampa; Kunthipuzha, Chandragiripuzha, Korapuzha and Chaliyar.

The rivers perform a two-fold function.They provideuninterrupted water transport through the length and breadth of the state. They add to theland area forming backwaters and ports.They make the land fertile and the countryprosperous.Inland trade has been mainly through the rivers.They are arteries of trade andcommunication.The harbours at the mouth of the rivers provide safe anchorage toships.Kerala Rivers have been the cradles of early civilisations. 24 out of the 32 Brahminsettlements are on the banks of rivers. 
A number of historic and religious temples and churches are situated on the banks of rivers.Most of the literary and artistic formsoriginated on the river valleys.The rivers have influenced our political and military history.The Periyar flood of1341 made Muziris useless for trade and brought in to existence the Vaipin Island.Theflood of 1789 in the same river forced Tippu Sultan to abandon his further conquest ofThiruvitamkur.Several places of historical and cultural importance are located on theriverbanks.We have Chittur,Palakkad, Thiruvillamala,Pattambi,Thirunavaya andChamravattam on the banks of Bharatapuzha.Ayiramalai,Malayattur,Kaladi, Aluva andKodungallur on the banks of Periyar; Aanmala, Sabarimala, Chengannur, Maramon,Edathwa on the banks of Pamba.It was on the rivers that major hydro-electric and irrigation projects wereconstructed in modern times.The hydro-electric projects like Pallivasal, Sengulam,Peringal kuthu and Sabarigiri have quickened the industrialization of Kerala.The irrigationproject like Peechi, Malampuzha, Periyar Valley became, to adapt the words of PanditNehru, centre of modern pilgrimage.