Tirunelveli District enjoys the benefit of the early showers of south west monsoon
and of the later rains of the north-east monsoon. The district is chiefly irrigated
by rivers rising in Western ghats. The dams and anaicuts constructed on Tamiraparani
and Manimuthar rivers serve both agriculture and power generation. The total fall,
though is light, averaging about 814.8 mm per annum, is generally well distributed.
The Tamiraparani river affords perennial irrigation to a fairly large area on which
two crops are normally raised. Several tanks and wells form part of the other source
of irrigation.
The Tamiraparani is a symbol of Tamil culture and civilization and an identity of
the far south of India. In Tamil and Sanskrit literature of earlier times, the Pandyas
were referred to as the rulers of the land where the Tamaraparani flowed. Tamiraparani
is the chief river of the district which has a large network of tributaries which
includes the Peyar, Ullar, Karaiyar, Servalar, Pampar, Manimuthar, Varahanathi,
Ramanathi, Jambunathi, Gadananathi, Kallar, Karunaiyar, Pachaiyar, Chittar, Gundar,Aintharuviar,
Hanumanathi, Karuppanathi and Aluthakanniar. The two rivers of the district which
are not linked with Tamiraparani are the Nambiar and the Hanumanathi of Nanguneri
taluk. (There are two Hanumanathis in the district).
The Tamiraparani
The Tamiraparani
The Tamiraparani
Spelt differently as Tampraparani, Tamraparni, Tamiravaruni, etc., the river is
mentioned as the Porunai nathi in Tamil poetic literature. It gets recognition and
is referred to as the renowned one in Sanskrit literature references to which are
as old as that of the Puranas and Epics.
The meaning and origin of the name Tamiraparani is reasoned out differently. Bishop
R. Caldwell, in his book, A History of Tinnevelly discussed the various interpretations
of the word ‘Tamiraparani’ at length. According to him the meaning of the name Tamiraparani
in itself is sufficiently clear, but its application in this connection is far from
being self-evident. Tamara means, red, parani means parana, a tree which has leaves.
Tamiraparani might, therefore mean a tree with red leaves, but, this is a strange
derivation for, the name of a river and the ideas naturally suggest itself that
some events or legends capable of explaining the name lies beyond. He further discussed
the similarity of the name Tamiraparani and of the old name of the present Sri Lanka
which was called in olden days as Tambrabane and tried to find out the political,
cultural and anthropological intercourse of the land of the river with that island.
He concludes that it seems more natural that Tamiraparani, the tree with the red
leaves should have been first the name of a tree, then of a town, then of a district
and then of a river (it being not uncommon in India for villages to adopt their
names from remarkable trees).
Some scholars interpret the name Tamiraparani as Tamiram (Copper) + Varuni (stream
or river). They ascribe this origin as the bed of the river is of red soil and when
the water flows on the red soil it gives a copper like appearance. The Greeks of
the Ptolemy’s time refer to this river as Solen.
Origin of Tamiraparani
The Tamiraparani originates from the peak of the Periya Pothigai hills of the Western
Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk. The great river like the Cauvery,
but unlike most of the other Indian rivers, is fed by both the monsoons – the south
west and the north-eastern and is seen in full spate twice a year if the monsoons
do not fail.
The Tirunelveli Sthalapurana associates the origin of the river with sage Agasthiyar.
It states that when Agasthiyar was requested by Lord Siva to move to the South,
Parvathi Devi, the divine consort of Siva filled the sage’s font meant to hold water
for poojas (kamandala) with the water from the Ganges and on his arrival at Pothigai,
he released it and the water ran as Tamiraparani.
Prior to the bifurcation of the Tirunelveli district, the Tamiraparani was the only
major river in Tamilnadu which had its source and end in the same district. After
bifurcation, the river traverses the two districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin
before joining the Gulf of Mannar of the Bay of Bengal at Punnaikayal in Tiruchendur
taluk of Thoothukkudi district.
Course and Tributaries
From the source to sea, the total length of the river is about 125 km., of which
its course in Tirunelveli district alone is about 75 km. Originating at an altitude
of 1725 m. above MSL at Periya Pothigai hill ranges and integral hill track of Western
Ghats in Ambasamudram taluk, it passes through the taluks of Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai
of Tirunelveli district and Srivaikundam and Tiruchendur taluks of Thoothukkudi
district. In the Ghats, the chief tributaries of the river are the Peyar, Ullar,
Karaiyar, Servalar and the Pambar. These rivers join the Tamiraparani and enrich
its course before it reaches the plains. The first tributary which enriches the
water of the Tamiraparani in the plains on the right side is the Manimuthar. Then
comes the Gadananathi, which joins the Tamiraparani at Tiruppudaimaruthur. Before
the Gadananathi’s entry into the Tamiraparani, the Gadananadhi is joined by the
rivers Kallar, Karunaiyar and Veeranathi or Varahanathi which joins the river Gadananathi
about 1.5 km north-east of Kila Ambur. The river Pachaiyar is another tributary
which joins the Tamiraparani near Tharuvai village in Palayamkottai Taluk. One of
the important and affluent tributaries of the Tamiraparani is the Chithar or Chitranathi
which arises in the Courtalam hills and receives supply from the rivers Gundar,
Hanumanathi and Karuppanathi. The Chithar empities itself into the Tamiraparani
in Sivalapperi Village.
The river drains with its tributaries an area of about 4400 sq. km. As most of its
extensive catchments areas lay in the Western ghats, the river enjoys the full benefit
of both the monsoons which make the river perennial. Since all its tributaries are
arising from the Western ghats, the river is prone to heavy floods especially during
the North East monsoon.
The Pachaiyar
The river Pachaiyar rises on the eastern slope of Western ghats about 11 km. north
west of Kalakadu at an altitude of 1000 m. above MSL. It flows eastward upto Padmaneri
village from where it changes its course towards north east. It is a tributary of
Tamiraparani and makes its confluence with the river in the village Tharuvai. The
total length of the river from its source to its confluence with the Tamiraparani
is about 32 km. The river Pachaiyar has three tributaries which are Kavayan Odai,
Anaikidangu Odai and Uppan Odai. These tributaries join the river Pachaiyar in the
villages Arasppattu, Vadagarai and Padmaneri respectively.
The Korayar
The river Korayar is a tributary to the Tamiraparani. It originates in the eastern
slopes of Western ghats, flows in the northern direction and empties into the main
river Tamiraparani near Vellanguli village in Ambasamudram taluk after crossing
the Kannadian channel through and outlet. This river has no direct 'ayacuts' (irrigation
area) but contributes a heavy flood of water to Tamiraparani during rainy season.
The Chittar
The Chittar meaning little river or Chitranathi meaning beautiful river is a nature's
invaluable gift to the district as it is the river which causes a set of splendid
cascades in Courtalam and its suburbs, and international cynosure often compared
to the famous Spa falls of Belgium for its curative value. It is a major tributary
of the river Tamiraparani. The river takes its origin in the eastern slopes of the
Western Ghats in the Courtalam hills, called Tirikoodam in literature, at an altitude
of 1750m. above MSL. From its origin, the river climbs down for about six km. turns
north and flows for about 16 km. before turning towards the east. Its total length
is about 80 km. It joins the river Tamiraparani near Sivalapperi village of Tirunelveli
Taluk.
The river Chittar has its own tributaries. They are, the Aintharuviar which joins
its main river near Gajamajorpuram, the Gundar or Govindar which joins near Tenkasi
town the Hanumanathi which mingles with its main river near Veerakeralampudur village
and the Aluthakanniar which meets the main river in Kadapagothi village, all in
Tenkasi taluk. The river Chittar makes many patches of, Tenkasi Taluk fertile.
Aluthakanniar
It is a major tributary to the Chittar river. Arising in the eastern slopes of the
western Ghats, it flows 10km. towards north east before joining its main river (Chithar)
near Kadapagothi village of Tenkasi taluk. The eight anaicuts that are built across
this river are named as Thalai anaicut, anaicuts II, III, IV, Kandamangalam anaicut
and anaicuts, VI, VII, and VIII.
Aintharuviar
The Aintharuviar is one of the tributaries of the river Chittar. It takes its origin
from the eastern slopes of Eastern ghats and Joins the Chittar river near Gajamajorpuram
village. The river in its course causes a waterfall, popularly known as Aintharuvi.
There are two anaicuts across the river and they are Aintharuvi anaicut and Ilanji
anaicut.
Jambunathi
It is a tributary of the Ramanathi. Like all the rivers of the district, it also
originates from the eastern slopes of the Western ghats. The river confluences with
the Ramanathi near Mokkadagam village. The only anaicut built across this river
is Subramaniathevar anaicut.
Ramanathi
Originating in the eastern slopes of Western ghats at an altitude of 1720m. above
MSL in the north western corner of Ambasamudram taluk, the Ramanathi flows down
the hills for about six km. in the thickly wooded forest and reaches the plain in
Melakadayam village from where it runs about eight km. and receives its tributary
Jambunathi. The course of the Ramanathi after its merger with the Jambunathi is
known as the Veeranathi or Varahanathi. This river joins the Gadananathi near the
village Kila Ambur. The Ramanathi finally empties into the river Tamiraparani near
Thiruppudaimaruthur. The Ramanathi, the Jumbunathi and the Gadananathi are both
direct and indirect tributaries of the prime river of the district. Ramanathi branches
off into two, the Ramanathi Vadakal and the Ramanathi 'thenkal' and rejoins at the
juncture of its confluence with the Jambunathi. The division of the river have totally
eight reservoirs. The northern branch has three anaicuts, viz., Kallakal anaicut,
Suchimadayar anaicut and Savalakaran anaicut. The Southern branch has five anaicuts
(i.e) Mannanai (Sand dam), Ottai anaicut, Alkolli anaicut, Pottalpudhur anaicut
and Adachani anaicut.
Gadananathi
The Gadananathi or Karunaiyar, like the other rivers of the district, has its origin
in the eastern slopes of Western ghats at an altitude of about 1700 m. in Ambasamudram
taluk. It is a major tributary of the Tamiraparani.
The river after flowing about 8km., receives the Pampar and on it course, two other
rivulets, Kallar and Iluppaiyar, all these tributaries, join it at Sivasailam village.
After the confluence, the river flows about 10km. and merges with the Ramanathi
in Kila Ambur village. The following are the anaicuts across the Gadananathi. They
are Arasapattu anaicut, Alwarkurichi Thenkal anaicut, Manjapalli anaicut, Kakkavallur
anaicut and Kangeyan anaicut.
Hanumanathi
It is a tributary of the Chittar river. It rises at an altitute of 1650m. above
Courtalam in Tenkasi taluk, traverses in the slopes about 10km. receives Karuppanathi,
its tributary, then it flows and merges with Chittar near Surandai village. The
anaicuts built across the river, are Mettukal anaicut, Karisalkulam anaicut, Panpoli
anaicut, Vallalkulam anaicut, Elathoor anaicut, Nainaragavan anaicut, Pungamkal
anaicut and Kambli anaicut .
Karuppanathi
Arising adjacent to the Hanumanathi to the north of it at the same altitude, it
constitutes the major tributary of the river Hanumanathi. The Karuppanathi flows
in the slopes for about 9km. reaches the plains in the village Visavankulam where
Vembunathi, contributes its waters to the Karuppanathi as a tributary. Then it runs
for 18km. and joins the Hanumanathi below Urmelalagian anaicut built across the
river Karuppanathi. From its source to its merger with the Hanumanathi, there are
six anaicuts constructed over the river. They are Thalai anaicut, Pappalkal anaicut,
Srivalankal anaicut, Open Head-Klangad Vadakkukal anaicut and lastly Urmelalagian
anaicut.
Gundar
The river Gundar originates at Mundankoil mottai above Courtalam. Mottaiyar and
few streams contribute to its water and it flows in Sengottai and Tenkasi taluks
for 20 km. and combines with the Hariharanathi. The combined river runs for about
8 km. and joins its main river the Chithar. Three masonry and three temporary anaicuts
have been raised across the river. They are Nelloorkal anaicut, Thottachi anaicut
and Piranoor anaicut and Maravankal, Sambodaikal and Varahamadankal respectively.
Mottaiyar
Mottaiyar is a tributary of the Gundar. An anaicut called Mottai anaicut has been
built across the river.
Manimuthar
The river Manimuthar is a major tributary of the Tamiraparani. It arises from the
dense forest a top Senkutheri in Ambasamudram taluk at the height of about 1300
m. from MSL. The tributaries of the Manimuthar are the Keezha Manimuthar (lower
or eastern Manimuthar) and the Varattar. The river runs from its source for a distance
of 9 km. and confluences with the Tamiraparani near Kallidaikurichi. In its 9km.
course, it makes minor cataracts. The river contributes a lot, as tributary, to
enhance the water level of Tamiraparani as it is always in full spate and perennial.
In the year 1957, Manimuthar anaicut was built across the river just three km. above
its confluence with Tamiraparani.
Nambiyar
The Nambiyar river is the water source to the Nanguneri taluk. It takes its origin
in the western slopes of the Western ghats - 8 km. west of Thirukurungudi village
at an altitude of 1500 m. above MSL. It runs eastwards and turns south east and
confluences in the Gulf of Mannar at Tiruvambalapuram village. It's course of 45km.
is restricted entirely to Nanguneri taluk. The river has two tributaries, the Parattaiyar
and the Thamaraiyar. The first tributary is a stream from Mahendragiri hills and
the second tributary originates from the combination of two hill streams, Mombaiyar
and Kodumudiyar. These tributaries join Nambiyar at the foot of the Mahendragiri
hills. The river has nine anaicuts, Mailaimani anaicut, Dhalavaipuram anaicut, Rajakkamangalam
anaicut, Mylapuram anaicut,Kannanthur anaicut,Vijayan anaicut,Kovankulam anaicut,Thittikulam
anaicut, and Pulimangulam anaicut.
Karunaiyar
The surplus waters of Vijayanarayanam tank in Nanguneri taluk together with the
local drains flow as Karunaiyar or Karuvenniraiyar. This river runs for a distance
of 30 km. and meets the sea near Manappadu in Tiruchendur Taluk of Thoothukkudi
district.
Vadamalaiyaru
Two rivulets, Virisidai-idiyaru and Kadaiyaru in the eastern slopes of the Western
ghats above Sankarankoil taluk, combine and flow as Vadamalaiyaru which runs in
the taluk and empties into the big tank of Malaiyadikurichi.
Kottamalaiyaru
This river also originates at an altitude of 1700 m. above M.S.L. in the Western
ghats above Sankarankoil taluk. It merges with the small tank of Durgapuram.
Apart from the above rivers, there are some more rivers also orginates in this district
Kothaiyaru, Rajasingiyaru and Mundhal Odai.
The Tamiraparani
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