Pamba River

Pampa River

Labelled map of Pamba
Basin
Main source Pulachimalai
Source elevation 1,650 m
River mouth Vembanad Lake
Size 2,235 km² (873 mi²)
Country India
Physiognomy
Length 176 km (110 mi)
Pamba River

The Pamba River (also called Pampa 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. Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river Pamba.

The river is also known as 'Dakshina Bhageerathi' and 'River Baris'.

The River Pamba enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta District and the Kuttanand area of Alappuzha District

Course

The Pamba originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1,650 metres (5,410 ft) and flows through Ranni, Ayroor, Kozhenchery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanad, Karthikapally, and Ambalappuzha Taluks before emptying into the Vembanad Lake. A noted Anjana temple is situated near this bank. The river enriches the Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha districts of Kerala state. Kuttanad, an important rice cultivating area in Kerala receives its irrigation water from the Pamba river. The Pamba basin is bounded on the east by the Western Ghats. The river shares its northern boundary with the Manimala River basin, while it shares the southern boundary with the Achankovil River basin.

Tributaries

Geographical disposition

The river Pamba rises at an altitude of 1,650 metres (5,410 ft) on the Peermade Plateau in the Idukki district of Kerala. After traversing a distance of 176 kilometres (109 mi), the river joins the Arabian Sea through a number of channels. The basin extends over an area of 2,235 square kilometres (863 sq mi) with the entire catchment area within Kerala state. The basin is bounded on the east by Western Ghats and on the west by Arabian Sea.

Topography of the basin, reservoirs and command area

Like all the river basins in Kerala, the Pamba basin also can be divided into three natural zones based on elevation, consisting of low land or seaboard, midland and high land.The coast for a short distance along the borders of lakes is flat, retreating from it the surface roughens up into slopes which gradually combine and swell into mountains on the east. The low land area along sea coast is generally swampy and liable to be flooded during monsoon inundation. The plains/midlands succeed low land in gentle ascents and valleys interspersed with isolated low hills. The high land on the eastern portion is broken by long spurs, dense forests, extensive ravines and tangled jungles. Towering above all their slopes are Western Ghats that form eastern boundary of the basins.

Endangered state

Information board near Nadappanthal, Sabarimala.

Due to drought and a lack of conservation and protection by the government, the Pampa River has shrunk to a stream and is totally dry in many places. Nearby wells have also dried up. Water for farming, such as paddy fields, is scarce. Experts are calling for governmental awareness of the dire situation and the need to rein in development that is destroying the environment.[1]

The Kerala High Court has initiated steps to control the pollution of the river from the practice of some visitors to Sabarimala who throw their clothes into it.[2] As part of the Punyam Poonkavanam project, pilgrims have been exhorted to avoid the usage of soap and oil while bathing in River Pamba. They are also requested not to throw any material, including clothes, to this holy river. At a broader level, this project aims to spread the message of cleanliness and greenness beyond Pamba and Sabarimala.[3]

Significance in Hinduism

Lord Ayyappan (Sri Dharmasastha) appeared to the Pandalam Raja as a child on the banks of the Pamba River. The Pamba River has been venerated as southern Ganga, and devotees of Lord Ayyappan believe that immersing oneself in the Pamba is equivalent to bathing in the Holy Ganges River. Bathing in the river, believed to absolve one's sins, is a requirement before commencing the trek through the forest to the Ayyappan Temple atop Sabarimala.

An entire Kandam, or Chapter 'Kiskhkindhakandam' of Ramayanam is around the banks of the River Pamba located around today's Shabarimala. Sriram and Lakshmana are advised by Sage Shabari to meet Sugreeva in Rishimookadri and they enter into an agreement in the presence of fire to work together to locate Sita. Ramayanam describes Pamba's origin as an area of immense natural beauty. It is where the Pamba Festival takes place as a part of the Shabariamala pilgrimage. Mathanga Maharshi also had his Hermitage north of this.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kuttoor, Radhakrishnan (7 March 2014). "As Pampa shrinks, life ebbs away". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  2. ↑ http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/temple-plans-to-challenge-ban-on-throwing-clothes-in-pamba-river-english-news-1.685693
  3. ↑ http://www.technoparktoday.com/vsc-supports-sabarimala-clean-drive-punyam-poonkavanam/
  4. ↑ Ramayanam-Kishkindhakandam scriptures
Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pamba River.

Coordinates: 9°30′N 76°25′E / 9.500°N 76.417°E / 9.500; 76.417

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, February 14, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.