| Chandragiri River Perumpuzha / Payaswini | |
|---|---|
 A view of the Chandragiri river from Kanathur,Kasaragod | |
 | |
| Etymology | Chandragupta Maurya[1] |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala,Karnataka |
| District | Kasaragod,Dakshina Kannada,Kodagu |
| Cities | Sullia,Jalsoor,Chengala,Chemnad,Kasaragod |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Kadamakal Reserve Forest,Karnataka |
| • location | Kodagu District,India |
| • coordinates | 12.45495°N, 75.67224°E |
| • elevation | 1290m |
| Mouth | Arabian Sea |
• location | NearThalangara,Kasaragod, India |
• coordinates | 12°28′25″N74°59′04″E / 12.4737°N 74.9845°E /12.4737; 74.9845 |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 105 km (65 mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | mouth |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Kudumbur River |
TheChandragiri River, also known as thePayaswini River in Karnataka and as thePerumpuzha in Kerala,[2][3][4] is the longest river inKasaragod district,Kerala,India.The river is a historical treasure ofChemnad. It was named after the Mauryan emperorChandragupta Maurya.[5][6][7]
The river originates in theTalakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary in theWestern Ghats ofKodagu district,Karnataka. It flows through towns includingSullia,Jalsoor, Parappa,Adoor,Chengala,Kasaragod andChemnad and discharges into theArabian Sea. InSullia taluk, it is the major water source for domestic and agricultural purposes.Chemnad is considered as theLand Of Chandragiri.[citation needed]
The Chandragiri or Perumpuzha River is considered the traditional boundary between theTulu Nadu andMalayalam regions ofKerala.
In 16th-century Portuguese geographies, the Chandragiri River is called the "Rio Cangerecora", and identified as the boundary between the "province of Canará" (Kannada-speaking coastal southKarnataka, vassal of "Bisnaga",Vijayanagara Empire) and the independent kingdoms of "Malabar" (Kerala).[8][9]
The 17th-centuryChandragiri Fort is located on the river.
The Chandragiri River originates from the northern slopes of theGreater Talacauvery National Park in theWestern Ghats at theKodagu district,Karnataka. Initially the river flows through theMalenadu region ofKarnataka passing thePushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and flowing through several hilly towns inKodagu andDakshina Kannada likeAdyadka, Biliyar, Parivarkana, Paladka,Sullia, Pilikodi andKanyana. Chandragiri then entersKerala and flows through several hilly towns in the eastern part of theKasaragod district – Panjikkal, Kottyadi,Adhur, Poovadka, Kottamkuzhy, Bethurpuzha, Kundamkuzhy,Kolathur,Muliyar and Bovikanam. At Bovikanam its major tributary,Kudumbur River merges with Perumpuzha. Then the river enters into theMalabar plains where it flows throughThekkil,Chengala,Chattanchal,Perumbala,Chemnad andKasaragod. The Chandragiri River empties into theArabian Sea atThalangara inKasaragod town.
The Chandragiri River basin supports diverse ecosystems typical of the Western Ghats, including tropical wet evergreen forests in the upper reaches andriparian zones with moist deciduous species downstream.[10] The river originates within the Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, a key biodiversity area with endemic flora like the evergreenHopea ponga and fauna including the lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, and over 250 bird species such as the Malabar whistling thrush.[11] Downstream, it borders the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, habitat forAsian elephants,Bengal tigers, and amphibians like theMalabar gliding frog in riverine wetlands.[12]
Aquatic biodiversity includes native fish such as theDeccan mahseer andhill trout, vital for local fisheries.[13] Conservation initiatives by theKerala Forest Department emphasize riparian afforestation and eco-development to address deforestation and erosion risks from high monsoon flows (average annual rainfall ~3,500 mm in the basin).[14]
The Chandragiri River receives numerous tributaries originating in the Western Ghats of Kodagu and flowing into Kasaragod. The table below lists all major and minor tributaries documented in official government records.
| Tributary | Length (km) | Origin | Confluence | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kudumbur River | 48 | Brahmagiri Hills, Kodagu | Left bank at Bovikanam (east of Chattanchal) | [15][16] |
| Kuppam River | 22 | Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu | Near Chemnad, Kasaragod | [17] |
| Shiriya River | 28 | Western Ghats near Shiriya, Kasaragod | Near Thalangara estuary | [18] |
| Koodlu Hole | 18 | Pattighat Reserve Forest, Kodagu | Near Koodlu village, Kasaragod | [19] |
| Poonkoth Hole | 12 | Sampaje Range, Dakshina Kannada | Near Poonkoth, Sullia taluk | [20] |
| Kanyana Hole | 15 | Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary | Near Kanyana, Kasaragod | [21] |
| Kalnad Hole | ~10 | Kalnad village hills, Kasaragod | Near Kalnad, Hosdurg taluk | [22] |
| Peruvanje Hole | ~8 | Peruvanje Reserve Forest, Sullia | Near Peruvanje, Kasaragod border | [23] |
| Adyanadka Nullah | ~6 | Adyanadka village, Kasaragod | Near Adyanadka, left bank | [24] |
| Chalingal Nullah | ~5 | Chalingal hills, Hosdurg | Near Chalingal, right bank | [25] |
The Kudumbur River is the longest and most significant tributary, contributing approximately 25% of the Chandragiri's total discharge during peak monsoon.[26] Smaller nullahs and seasonal streams are numerous but not individually mapped in official records.
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