Korapuzha

Korapuzha, also known as Elathur River, is a short river of 40 km (25 mi), with a drainage area of 624 km² (241 sq mi), flowing through the Kozhikode district of Kerala state in India. It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Akalapuzha and Punoor puzha which originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha empties into the Arabian Sea at Elathur. The river and its main tributaries become tidal as they near the Arabian Sea. There is heavy boat traffic over the last 25 km (16 mi) of its course. It forms part of the West Coast Inland Navigation System.

Korapuzha
Location
Country	India
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Arikkankunni
• elevation	610 m (2,000 ft)
Mouth
• location	Arabian Sea
Length	40 km (25 mi)
Basin size	624 km2 (241 sq mi)

Korappuzha Road Bridge

Korappuzha Railway Bridge

Korappuzha bridge

This 480-metre bridge is the longest bridge in Kozhikode district. Completed in 1940, it has 13 spans. The surroundings are lush green and very photogenic.

^[1]

History

The river for some times formed the northern border of the Zamorin's kingdom. The Korapuzha is generally considered as the cordon sanitaire between the North Malabar and South Malabar in the erstwhile Malabar District.^[2] Until the 20th century the Nair women of North Malabar crossing the Korapuzha and going South Malabar or marrying a person from South Malabar was considered a taboo and those who violated faced Bhrasht (Ostracism) and forfeiture of caste.^[3] The prohibition in North Malabar and South Malabar began with the rivalry between the Kolothunad rulers of North Malabar and the Zamorin of South Malabar.^[3] At the same time, the Kolothunad dynasty maintained good relations with the Travancore-Venad Kingdom and the Tulu Kingdom.^[1][3] Travancore royal family is a close cousin dynasty of the Kolathiris of North Korapuzha.^[4][5]

Notes

1. "Rivers of Western Ghats - The Korapuzha". Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
2. Miller, Eric J. (1955). "Village Structure in North Kerala". In Srinivas, M. N. (ed.). India's Villages. Bombay: Media Promoters & Publishers.
3. British Indian Government of Madras (1891). Malabar Marriage Commission Report.
4. Induchudan, V. T. (1971). The Golden Tower: A Historical Study of the Tirukkulasekharapuram and Other Temples. Cochin Devaswom Board. p. 164.
5. de Lannoy, Mark (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: History and State Formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. Leiden University. p. 20. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.

References

• "Infobox facts". All Kerala River Protection Council. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
• Malabar Manual in two volumes by William Logan, first published in 1887, reprinted by Asian Educational Services in 1951.
• Nayars of Malabar Vol III by F. Fawcett, first published in 1901.