Periyar River

The Periyar River is the longest river in Kerala, India, arising in the Western Ghats and flowing west toward the Arabian Sea. It is a major freshwater source for irrigation, hydropower and towns along its course.

Key attractions along the river corridor include the reservoir and boat-accessible lake within the Periyar protected area, where boat safaris are used for wildlife viewing, and several hydroelectric and irrigation works fed by the river. The watercourse supports fisheries and agricultural plains downstream.

The river basin has been modified over time by dam and reservoir construction to supply irrigation and power; one of the notable structures on the river is the Mullaperiyar Dam, built in the late 19th century. These interventions have shaped water management and regional development.

The Periyar drains parts of the Western Ghats in southern India and crosses Kerala districts before reaching the coastal plains and the Arabian Sea; it is integral to the landscape and economy of central Kerala.

• Role: The river is the longest in the state of Kerala, flowing west from the Western Ghats to the Arabian Sea and supporting irrigation, hydropower and municipal water supplies.

What to See #

• Mullaperiyar Dam: A late 19th-century gravity masonry dam on the Periyar that creates the reservoir used for irrigation, hydropower and water supply to adjacent districts.
• Periyar Lake / reservoir: A large reservoir formed on the river which lies adjacent to protected forest and to Periyar Tiger Reserve; boat trips on the reservoir are a common wildlife-viewing activity.