Meenachil River
Encyclopedia
The Meenachil river flows through the heart of Kottayam
district of Kerala
state, India
. The river, 78 km long, flows through Poonjar
, Teekoy
, Erattupetta
, Palai, Ettumanoor
and Kottayam
before emptying itself into the Vembanad Lake
at Kumarakom
, the famous tourist place of Kerala.
The Meenachil river is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats
. The general elevation ranges from 77 m to 1156 m in the high lands
and less than 2 m in the lowland
s and 8 to 68 m in the midland
s. The Meenachil has a watershed
area of 1208.11 km². The river has a total annual yield of 2,349 million cubic metre and an annual utilizable yield of 1110 million cubic metre. The river has 38 tributaries including major and minor ones. The river has 47 sub watersheds and 114 micro watersheds.
. It is also called Gauna Nadi, Kavanar and Valanjar. The name Meenachil comes from Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai, the deity of the ruling Karthas of Meenachil. Meenakshi became Meenachi and later Meenachil. According to legends this river starts from the Kamandalu of great sage Gauna Maharshi like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu. Hence this river got the name Gauna Nadi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with Sapthanadi Theertham (water from the 7 holy rivers -Ganga,Yamuna, Saraswathy,Sindhu, Narmmada,Godavari and Kaveri). A beautiful idol of Lord Subrahmanya was also kept in his kamandalu. He was eagerly waiting for the Darshan of Lord Sree Rama in his return journey to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Sree Rama was accompanied by large number of devotees like Vibhishana, Sugreeva and Angada in the Pushpaka Vimana.So Maharshi Gauna could not see Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi properly. So the angry Gauna threw the kamandalu away and the idol of Subrahmanya Swami came out. These incidents occurred on a hill and since then the hill is known as Kudamuruttimala. This flow of water became a river and thus the present Gauna nadi was formed. Along with the flow of the water, the idol was carried away to the Vishnu kshetram in Kidangoor and was later installed in a new sreekovil. This is the present Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple. So the water in Gauna river is as holy as the Sapthanadi Teertham. Later Sree Rama and Sitha Devi gave darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama advised Gauna Maharshi to continue his Tapas. Gauna Maharsi then started his journey along the river bank and atlast reached a beautiful village and decided to stay there. He started worshipping Lord Shiva there and attained moksha. After that this place became a great forest. This place is now famous as Kadappattor and the idol of Shiva worshipped by Gauna Maharshi is now famous as Lord Kadappattoorappa.
Narada Maharshi, Veda Vyasa Maharshi, Parasurama, Pancha Pandavas and Panchali were also associated with this river. Kavanar is the Malayalam equivalent for Gauna nadi. Arattu of many temples in Kottayam district is being carried out in this river. Some of these temples are Bharananganam, Lalam, Puliyannoor, Kadappattoor, Kidangoor, Amayannoor, Ettumanoor and Kumaranalloor. It flows through the Kidangoor, Ettumanoor and Kumaranalloor Brahmin gramams and through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam. Another legend associated with Meenachil river is that those who get Neelakkoduveli from this river in the month of Karkkidakam will become wealthy.Only the Brahmins staying on the northern side of the Meenachil river were allowed to attend the Murajapam in Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Trivandrum .
1. The first tributary, the Teekoy
River originates at Vazhikkadavu near Wagamon
and flows through Vellikulam, Marmala, Mavadi and Teekoy. It drains the largest quantity of water though a substantial part of the water is now being diverted to Idukki reservoir through a 4 km long tunnel constructed by the Electricity Board at Vazhikkadavu. Seeing this tributary flowing down the deep gorge near Vellikulam from the Wagamon Road is a visual treat. Numerous streams and brooks join this river in its 25 km length to Erattupetta where there is a major confluence of Meenachil river.
2. Another tributary is formed by the stream originating at Illikkal kallu near Thalanadu and flowing through Mankombu and Vakakkadu and the stream originating in the Melukavu hills and flowing through Edamaruku. These two streams join together at Randattumunni at Edamaruku and flows south-eastwards and joins with Teekoy River at Ettonnil Kadavu near Kalathukadavu and flows southward to enter the northern side of Erattupetta (meaning a confluence of two streams). At Erattupetta it joins south of Aruvithura the third tributary, Poonjar, which enters the southern side of Erattupetta. Aruvithura forane Church
is a famous church that is situated on the left bank of Meenachil river at Erattupetta.
3. The third tributary, the Poonjar
, originates from the southern valley of the Kurishumala hills and flows through Adivaram
, Peringalam
and Poonjar
. It is joined by various streams flowing through Vengathanam, Chennadu
, Maniamkulam, Kunnonni and Cholathadam
.
4. The fourth tributary, the Chittar, flows through Chettuthodu, Kalaketty, Variyanikkadu, Chemmalamattom, Thidanadu and joins the Meenachil at Kondoor, 4 k.m downstream, west of Erattupetta.
In addition to these main tributaries, there are about 10 major streams and 20 minor streams joining the Meenachil at various places. Some of the important ones are:
1. The Aakkal thodu, which flows through Anjoottimangalam, Kalekkandam, Narianganam and Plassanal and joins the Meenachil at Panackappalam.
2. The Ponnozhukum thodu, which flows through Elikkulam, Mallikassery
, Vilakkumadam, Edamattom
regions and joins the Meenachil near the Shree Krishna Swamy temple, Bharananganam
.
3. The Lalam thodu, which flows through Karoor, Mundupalam and the northern regions of Palai and joins the Meenachil at Palai, near to the old private bus station.
3. The Meenachil
thodu, which flows through Chengalam
, Urulikunnam, Njandupara, Paika
, Poovarany
, Meenachil
regions and joins the Meenachil at Arunapuram, near St. Thomas College, Palai
.
4. The Chakini thodu, which flows through Maridom, Cherpunkal
regions and joins the Meenachil near the Cherpunkal Bridge.
5. The Pannagam thodu
, about 30 kilometer long which start from 14th mile of KK road region and flows through Madapattu
, Mattakkara, Arumanoor, Ayarkkunnam regions and joins the Meenachil near Punnathara, Kidangoor
.
6. The Kattachira thodu, which flows through Kuravilangadu, Kadappoor regions and joins the Meenachil near Kattachira.
has constructed two tunnels near Wagamon
to divert the water from the Meenachil to the Idukki Dam
. One is from the Vazhikkadavu check dam to Karinthiri and the other from Koottiyar to Kappakkanam.
The Kerala Government has recently (2006) accorded high priority to the implementation of the Meenachil River Valley Project. The project aims at diverting excess water from the Moovattupuzha river into the Meenachil
River basin by constructing a tunnel from Arakkulam
to Melukavau. Once implemented the project will help in increasing the availability of water in the area.
1. Water pollution due to disposal of urban and domestic waste into the river all through the banks of the river especially at urban centers like Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumanoor and Kottayam.
2. Uncontrolled legal and illegal mining of river sand leading to depletion of water table.
3. Illegal construction of numerous check dams.
4. Diversion of upstream water to Idukki dam from the Vazhikkadavu Mini Dam.
5. Illegal fishing, destroying marine life.
6. Excavation of clay and sand from paddy fields for the brick and construction industries.
" by Arundhati Roy
. The story is centred around the Aymanam
village through which the Meenachil river flows.
Meenachil
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...
district 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....
state, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The river, 78 km long, flows through Poonjar
Poonjar
Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
, Teekoy
Teekoy
Teekoy is a Southern Indian village, situated in the eastern part of Kottayam district in Kerala, between Vagamon, Erattupetta and Thalanadu.-Geoography:...
, Erattupetta
Erattupetta
Erattupetta is a town in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.It is 38 km east of Kottayam, the District Centre. Erattupetta was known as Erappili and Erappuzha before the Advent of Tamil Muslims into this town. Erattupetta is situated in the foothills of High Ranges. It was the...
, Palai, Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor
Ettumanoor is a major town in Kottayam District of Kerala, India, located 11 kilometers north-east of Kottayam town, 65 km from Cochin and 73 km from Cochin International Airport...
and 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...
before emptying 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...
at Kumarakom
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam , in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.-Environment:...
, the famous tourist place of Kerala.
The Meenachil river is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
. The general elevation ranges from 77 m to 1156 m in the high lands
Highland (geography)
The term highland or upland is used to denote any mountainous region or elevated mountainous plateau. Generally speaking, the term upland tends to be used for ranges of hills, typically up to 500-600m, and highland for ranges of low mountains.The Scottish Highlands refers to the mountainous...
and less than 2 m in the lowland
Lowland
In physical geography, a lowland is any broad expanse of land with a general low level. The term is thus applied to the landward portion of the upward slope from oceanic depths to continental highlands, to a region of depression in the interior of a mountainous region, to a plain of denudation, or...
s and 8 to 68 m in the midland
Midland
-Places:In Australia:* Midland, Western AustraliaIn Canada:* Midland, OntarioIn Germany:* Mittellandkanal, the Midland CanalIn Ireland:* Midland Region, a region of the Republic of IrelandIn the United States:...
s. The Meenachil has a watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
area of 1208.11 km². The river has a total annual yield of 2,349 million cubic metre and an annual utilizable yield of 1110 million cubic metre. The river has 38 tributaries including major and minor ones. The river has 47 sub watersheds and 114 micro watersheds.
Legends
The 78 kilometer long Meenachil river is the holy river in Kottayam districtKottayam district
Kottayam is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The district has its headquarters at Kottayam town, located at 9.36° N and 76.17° E. According to the 1991 census, it is the first district to achieve highest literacy rate in the whole of India...
. It is also called Gauna Nadi, Kavanar and Valanjar. The name Meenachil comes from Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai, the deity of the ruling Karthas of Meenachil. Meenakshi became Meenachi and later Meenachil. According to legends this river starts from the Kamandalu of great sage Gauna Maharshi like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu. Hence this river got the name Gauna Nadi. Gauna Maharshi filled his Kamandalu with Sapthanadi Theertham (water from the 7 holy rivers -Ganga,Yamuna, Saraswathy,Sindhu, Narmmada,Godavari and Kaveri). A beautiful idol of Lord Subrahmanya was also kept in his kamandalu. He was eagerly waiting for the Darshan of Lord Sree Rama in his return journey to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. Sree Rama was accompanied by large number of devotees like Vibhishana, Sugreeva and Angada in the Pushpaka Vimana.So Maharshi Gauna could not see Lord Sri Rama and Sita Devi properly. So the angry Gauna threw the kamandalu away and the idol of Subrahmanya Swami came out. These incidents occurred on a hill and since then the hill is known as Kudamuruttimala. This flow of water became a river and thus the present Gauna nadi was formed. Along with the flow of the water, the idol was carried away to the Vishnu kshetram in Kidangoor and was later installed in a new sreekovil. This is the present Kidangoor Subrahmanya Swami Temple. So the water in Gauna river is as holy as the Sapthanadi Teertham. Later Sree Rama and Sitha Devi gave darshan to Gauna Maharshi. Rama advised Gauna Maharshi to continue his Tapas. Gauna Maharsi then started his journey along the river bank and atlast reached a beautiful village and decided to stay there. He started worshipping Lord Shiva there and attained moksha. After that this place became a great forest. This place is now famous as Kadappattor and the idol of Shiva worshipped by Gauna Maharshi is now famous as Lord Kadappattoorappa.
Narada Maharshi, Veda Vyasa Maharshi, Parasurama, Pancha Pandavas and Panchali were also associated with this river. Kavanar is the Malayalam equivalent for Gauna nadi. Arattu of many temples in Kottayam district is being carried out in this river. Some of these temples are Bharananganam, Lalam, Puliyannoor, Kadappattoor, Kidangoor, Amayannoor, Ettumanoor and Kumaranalloor. It flows through the Kidangoor, Ettumanoor and Kumaranalloor Brahmin gramams and through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam. Another legend associated with Meenachil river is that those who get Neelakkoduveli from this river in the month of Karkkidakam will become wealthy.Only the Brahmins staying on the northern side of the Meenachil river were allowed to attend the Murajapam in Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Trivandrum .
Tributaries
The Meenachil has four main tributaries:1. The first tributary, the Teekoy
Teekoy
Teekoy is a Southern Indian village, situated in the eastern part of Kottayam district in Kerala, between Vagamon, Erattupetta and Thalanadu.-Geoography:...
River originates at Vazhikkadavu near Wagamon
Wagamon
Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metre above sea level....
and flows through Vellikulam, Marmala, Mavadi and Teekoy. It drains the largest quantity of water though a substantial part of the water is now being diverted to Idukki reservoir through a 4 km long tunnel constructed by the Electricity Board at Vazhikkadavu. Seeing this tributary flowing down the deep gorge near Vellikulam from the Wagamon Road is a visual treat. Numerous streams and brooks join this river in its 25 km length to Erattupetta where there is a major confluence of Meenachil river.
2. Another tributary is formed by the stream originating at Illikkal kallu near Thalanadu and flowing through Mankombu and Vakakkadu and the stream originating in the Melukavu hills and flowing through Edamaruku. These two streams join together at Randattumunni at Edamaruku and flows south-eastwards and joins with Teekoy River at Ettonnil Kadavu near Kalathukadavu and flows southward to enter the northern side of Erattupetta (meaning a confluence of two streams). At Erattupetta it joins south of Aruvithura the third tributary, Poonjar, which enters the southern side of Erattupetta. Aruvithura forane Church
is a famous church that is situated on the left bank of Meenachil river at Erattupetta.
3. The third tributary, the Poonjar
Poonjar
Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
, originates from the southern valley of the Kurishumala hills and flows through Adivaram
Adivaram
Adivaram is a 1997 Malayalam movie directed by Jose Thomas. The movie features Vijayaraghavan, Murali and Charmila in the lead roles. This movie was produced by Rona George under the banner of Rona Release and was distributed by Nandana Creations.- Cast :...
, Peringalam
Peringalam
Peringalam is a small town in Talassery taluk of Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is part of Greater Mahé Region.- Proposed New Mahe Municipality :The proposed New Mahe Municipality comprises...
and Poonjar
Poonjar
Poonjar is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala state, India. Before the independence of India, Poonjar had been the capital of the Poonjar Koyikkal Swaroopam or Edavaka.-History:...
. It is joined by various streams flowing through Vengathanam, Chennadu
Chennadu
Chennadu is a small village 7 km away from Erattupetta in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala. The name is derived from chennu ninna nadu...
, Maniamkulam, Kunnonni and Cholathadam
Cholathadam
Cholathadam is a rural area in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala in India]]. It includes the village of Poonjar Thekkekara located 15 km from the town Erattupetta. It consists of a church called St. Mary's Church, two temples, one nursery school, and the Gramodayam Library...
.
4. The fourth tributary, the Chittar, flows through Chettuthodu, Kalaketty, Variyanikkadu, Chemmalamattom, Thidanadu and joins the Meenachil at Kondoor, 4 k.m downstream, west of Erattupetta.
In addition to these main tributaries, there are about 10 major streams and 20 minor streams joining the Meenachil at various places. Some of the important ones are:
1. The Aakkal thodu, which flows through Anjoottimangalam, Kalekkandam, Narianganam and Plassanal and joins the Meenachil at Panackappalam.
2. The Ponnozhukum thodu, which flows through Elikkulam, Mallikassery
Mallikassery
-Location:Mallikassery is a small village near Paika, in Elikulam Panchayat, Kanjirappally Taluk, in Kottayam district, in the state of Kerala, India. A bus route from Paika to Pinnakkanadu cuts across Mallikassery. Ponnozhukumthodu, a tributary to the river Meenachil, flows by Mallikassery....
, Vilakkumadam, Edamattom
Edamattom
Edamattom is a small place located 6 km southeast of Pala. Most of the people here are farmers with several others having migrated to the cities. Majority of the people of Edamattom are hard working Syrian Catholics. Landmarks include the St.Michael's Church...
regions and joins the Meenachil near the Shree Krishna Swamy temple, Bharananganam
Bharananganam
Bharananganam, an important pilgrim centre in South India, is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation.- Saint Alphonsa's...
.
3. The Lalam thodu, which flows through Karoor, Mundupalam and the northern regions of Palai and joins the Meenachil at Palai, near to the old private bus station.
3. The Meenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
thodu, which flows through Chengalam
Chengalam
Chengalam is a village situated in the eastern part of Kottayam District .The village is on the border of Kottayam kanjirappally and pala Taluka. Chengalam is well connected by road to Pala and Ponkunnam 10 km. Most of the people here are Roman Catholic. This place is under the province of...
, Urulikunnam, Njandupara, Paika
Paika
Paika is a small town 8 km away from Palai on Pala-Ponkunnam road of Muvattupuzha - Punalur state highway No.8, in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It is part of Meenachil Taluka, known as the best fertile agricultural land of Travancore. Majority of people are Syrian Malabar Nasrani Catholic...
, Poovarany
Poovarany
Poovarany is a village in Meenachil Pachayath, Palai, Kottayam district, Kerala, India.The name poovarany means jungle of flowers. The Sacred Heart Church and Sree Mahadeva temple are the main religious centers. Two small rivers, the Cheruthode and Valiyathodu, flow through the area...
, Meenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
regions and joins the Meenachil at Arunapuram, near St. Thomas College, Palai
St. Thomas College, Palai
-Mission and coat of arms:St. Thomas College, Palai, was founded in 1950 by the Diocese of Palai. The founders of the college set before themselves the task of providing a Christian formation to the younger generation by fostering in their minds faith in God, love for their fellow-men and devotion...
.
4. The Chakini thodu, which flows through Maridom, Cherpunkal
Cherpunkal
Cherpunkal is a small town in the Kottayam district of Kerala State in India.On the Kottayam Pala road,7 km from pala city.Cherpunkal boasts a Holy Cross Church, believed to have been established by Thomas the Apostle himself, it is also believed that St.Thomas put his sandals there while taking a...
regions and joins the Meenachil near the Cherpunkal Bridge.
5. The Pannagam thodu
Pannagam thodu
The Pannagam thodu, about 30 kilometer long which start from 14th mile of KK road region and flows through Madapattu, Mattakkara, Arumanoor, Ayarkunnam regions and joins the Meenachil near Punnathara, Kidangoor...
, about 30 kilometer long which start from 14th mile of KK road region and flows through Madapattu
Madapattu
Madappattu is a rural region in Kooroppada Panchayat in Kottayam district, Kerala. The famous attractive place is Madappattu Devi Temple. The pannagam thodu which flows through in front of the temple. In this area the Aruvikuzhy thodu is join with the Pannagam thodu....
, Mattakkara, Arumanoor, Ayarkkunnam regions and joins the Meenachil near Punnathara, Kidangoor
Kidangoor
Kidangoor is a village in Kottayam district, near Pala, India. It is strategically located between the two major towns in Kottayam District, Kottayam and Pala. The Meenachil River flows through the heart of Kidangoor village. The village is mentioned in many old manuscripts and is believed to have...
.
6. The Kattachira thodu, which flows through Kuravilangadu, Kadappoor regions and joins the Meenachil near Kattachira.
Projects
The Kerala State Electricity BoardKerala State Electricity Board
Kerala State Electricity Board is a public sector agency under the Government of Kerala, India, that generates and distributes the electricity supply in the state...
has constructed two tunnels near Wagamon
Wagamon
Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metre above sea level....
to divert the water from the Meenachil to the Idukki Dam
Idukki Dam
The Idukki Dam, located in Kerala, India, is a 555 foot tall arch dam. The dam stands between the two mountains - Kuravanmala m and Kurathimala m. It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board....
. One is from the Vazhikkadavu check dam to Karinthiri and the other from Koottiyar to Kappakkanam.
The Kerala Government has recently (2006) accorded high priority to the implementation of the Meenachil River Valley Project. The project aims at diverting excess water from the Moovattupuzha river into the Meenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
River basin by constructing a tunnel from Arakkulam
Arakkulam
-Demographics: India census, Arakkulam had a population of 12633 with 6201 males and 6432 females....
to Melukavau. Once implemented the project will help in increasing the availability of water in the area.
Environmental Issues
There are a few serious issues affecting the environment of the Meenachil river basin. Some of them are:1. Water pollution due to disposal of urban and domestic waste into the river all through the banks of the river especially at urban centers like Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumanoor and Kottayam.
2. Uncontrolled legal and illegal mining of river sand leading to depletion of water table.
3. Illegal construction of numerous check dams.
4. Diversion of upstream water to Idukki dam from the Vazhikkadavu Mini Dam.
5. Illegal fishing, destroying marine life.
6. Excavation of clay and sand from paddy fields for the brick and construction industries.
Culture
The river is also mentioned in the Booker Prize winning book "The God of Small ThingsThe God of Small Things
The God of Small Things is the debut novel of Indian author Arundhati Roy. It is a story about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins whose lives are destroyed by the "Love Laws" that lay down "who should be loved, and how. And how much." The book is a description of how the small things in...
" by Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy is an Indian novelist. She won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel, The God of Small Things, and has also written two screenplays and several collections of essays...
. The story is centred around the Aymanam
Aymanam
Aymanam is a village in Kottayam District, Kerala, India, the setting of Arundhati Roy's 1997 novel The God of Small Things.-Overview:Ay in the Tamil language means 'five' and Vanam in Sanskrit means 'forests': Ayvanam, or Aymanam, is the land of five forests...
village through which the Meenachil river flows.
Economic and Cultural Importance of Meenachil River
Meenachil river is the major river in kottayam district and lakhs of people and many major towns and cities like Erattupetta, Palai, Ettumannur and Kottayam depend on this river for drinking water and water for commercial activities. In earlier days when road transport was not developed much, kettuvalloms used to transport goods throgh meenachil up to two km.s above Erattupetta and take agricultural products like copra to Alleppy port. Thousands of farmers use water from the river for agriculture. It is the natural channel for the discharge of rain water into the sea from eastern hills of kottayam dist. In its banks have come up major cities and commercial centres which also are cradles of the culture of this area of Travancore. Meenachil river water enters the Vembanad lake before reaching the sea and has a major share in shaping the water bodies in and around Kottayam towards western coast and the backwaters. During monsoon the river can be full or flooding the nearby low lying areas on many occasions. People who live near the river and its tributaries indeed are deeply concerned about the decline of the river's water retention capacity due to loss of tree cover, top soil loss and excessive legal and illegal sand mining and also the serious water pollution issues due to gabage disposal to the river all though the banks of the river. There is now acute shortage of water in summer. The mighty RAIN-FED river turns almost completely dry bed in summer. Unless some serious, immediate effort is not taken, Meenachil river will soon become highly polluted affecting lakhs of people who depend on the river.See also
PalaMeenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
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...