Kallada River 3.98

The Kallada River is one of two major rivers that flow through the Kollam District of Kerala, India. This River is formed by three Rivers, viz., Kulathupuzha, Chendurni and Kalthuruthy which join near Parappar in Thenmala by the side of the Trivandrum-Shencottah road. It travels for 121 km, flowing through Punalur, Pathanapuram, Kunnathur and Kallada before ending at Ashtamudi Lake. The Palaruvi Falls also feeds Kallada river. The Chalikkari Aar also joins Kallada a little downstream. These two rivers flows westward and falls into the Ashtamudi Lake.River CourseFor a good part of its initial course, the river flows in parallel with the Kollam - Shenkottai commercial highway. At Punalur, a Suspension Bridge was constructed across this by the Travancore Maharaja in British Style. This is still preserved as an archeological marvel.The end point of this river is the Ashtamudi Kayal. The river bed is usually rocky and it is difficult to swim and play in such as river. There are huge rocks, deep pits and other obstructions in the river. In modern times, the Thenmala dam is built on this river. This is an irrigation dam mainly aimed at providing water to the downstream regions throughout the year. Kallada Boat Race (The Kallada Jalotsavam) is one of the most famous boat races held in South Kerala, India. The boat race is an annual event which happens 28 days after Onam (28 aam Onam). Almost all the famous snake boats (Chundanvallam) take part in this event. This boat race is held on the Muthiraparambu-Karuvathrakadavu course of the Kallada River. This year it will be conducted on 23 September. Sasthamkottah lake is the largest fresh water lake in kerala and provides drinking water for most of the places in Kollam district.Except for an earthen embankment of 1.5 km length which separates the lake from the paddy fields on its southern side, bordering the alluvial plains of the Kallada River, all other sides of the lake are surrounded by hills which are steep and form narrow valleys.Sooranad,Chakkuvally,Kunnathur,Mynagappally,Poruvazhy,West Kallada,Karunagappally,East Kallada are the Important places in and around Sasthamcotta.