Manimala River has its origin on the Muthavara Hills (2500 feet above main sea level) on the Western Ghats, in Idukki district

Idukki district

Idukki district is one among the 14 districts of Kerala state, India. The district headquarters is located at in Painavu.It is the second least populous district in Kerala, after Wayanad .-Etymology:...

 of Kerala

Kerala

or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....

. The river passes through the districts of Kottayam

Kottayam

Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...

, Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...

 and finally joins the Pamba River

Pamba River

Pamba River is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore...

 at Muttar

Muttar

Muttar is located in the beautiful scenic environment of upper Kuttanad, Alapuzha District in Kerala, 10 km west of Changanacherry, on the Kidangara Chakulathukavu road, surrounded by Thalavady, Neerettupuram, Kunnamkary, Chathamkary& Mithrakary...

 near Tiruvalla

Tiruvalla

Tiruvalla , is a city and a Taluk headquarters located in Pathanamthitta district in the State of Kerala in South India, spread over an area of 27.94 km2...

 in Alappuzha district

Alappuzha district

Alappuzha is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala in India. It was formed as Alleppey District on August 17, 1957. The name of the district was officially changed to Alappuzha in 1990. The district is a widely known tourist destination, and is well known for its coir factories. Most of...

. Yendayaar, Koottikkal, Mundakayam

Mundakayam

Mundakayam is a small town in Kottayam District of Kerala state, South India. It is the gateway to the high ranges of Kerala, and is at the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts. It is here that the high ranges of south Kerala start. It is one of the most developed towns in Kerala, with rubber...

, Erumeli

Erumely

-Location:Erumely is on the Kanjirappalli - Pathanamthitta Route. A small river, Koratty, marks the entrance of Erumely town. Erumely is a small village in Kottayam District and Kanjirappally Taluk...

, Manimala

Manimala

Manimala is an area in the Kottayam district of Kerala in India. The population is about 10,000, of whom the majority are farmers whose main income comes from rubber plantations. The people are from several religions and castes. Manimala and nearby areas are thickly populated by Syrian Catholics...

, Vaipur

Vaipur

Vaipur is located in the banks of River Manimala, in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. The name 'Vaipur' is said to have come from the word Vayoopuram, which means Place of Vayu . Vaipur has an ancient trading history...

, Mallappally, Thuruthicad, Vennikkulam, Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor is a small village, appearing in history books as one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala. It is located on the western bank of the river Manimala in the taluk of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate village...

, Kallooppara

Kallooppara

Kallooppara is the land with the most divine touch of tranquility and peace. The swaying of the majestic and tall coconut groves in soul-relishing breeze is a sight that can make anyone think of 'Kingdom Come'...

, Niranam

Niranam

Niranam is a village in central Travancore region in Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Achankovil River. It is almost from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala...

, Muttar

Muttar

Muttar is located in the beautiful scenic environment of upper Kuttanad, Alapuzha District in Kerala, 10 km west of Changanacherry, on the Kidangara Chakulathukavu road, surrounded by Thalavady, Neerettupuram, Kunnamkary, Chathamkary& Mithrakary...

, Thalavadi, Kozhimukku and Champakkulam lie on the banks of Manimala River. Its running length is estimated at 92 km. It empties itself into the Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in...

.

Niranam

Niranam

Niranam is a village in central Travancore region in Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala and Achankovil River. It is almost from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala...

 was an ancient sea port at the confluence of Manimala River and Pamba River. At Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor

Kaviyoor is a small village, appearing in history books as one of the ancient 64 Brahmin settlements of Kerala. It is located on the western bank of the river Manimala in the taluk of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. It is a highly literate village...

 ancient rock-cut cave temples can still be seen.

Manimala River has been an important water way of Central Travancore. Rising in the hills of Kottayam-Idukki ranges, running westward, the river joins the plains at Manimala

Manimala

Manimala is an area in the Kottayam district of Kerala in India. The population is about 10,000, of whom the majority are farmers whose main income comes from rubber plantations. The people are from several religions and castes. Manimala and nearby areas are thickly populated by Syrian Catholics...

junction and then the flows through the midland plains and through the Kuttanad rice bowl area. Sand-mining on the river bed has led to depletion of the water ways of the river.