The Paravur Estuaries are a group of estuaries in Paravur, India, near the South-Western coast of Kollam district, Kerala. [1] Paravur is one among the 4 municipal towns in Kollam district, Kerala state. The place is known for its natural beauties, backwater locations, white-sand beaches and concentration of temples. [2]
Paravur is a land of beaches, backwaters & estuaries. The Paravur landmass's three sides are surrounded by water bodies - Paravur Lake, Nadayara Lake and the Arabian Sea. Paravur Lake is the main body of water in the town area, having a catchment area of 6.62 km2. The peninsula of Paravur is one of the most visited areas in Kollam district. Both north and south tips of Paravur town have peninsulas and estuaries. Pozhikara is to the north and Thekkumbhagam is to the south of Paravur. [3] [4] One more estuary mouth is in Pozhikara, which is very close to Pozhikara Devi Temple, which has breached in 2014 under the supervision of Water Resources Department (WRD), after a long gap of 14 years. [5]
The estuaries can be reached by travelling through Kollam-Paravur Coastal Road and Paravur-Kappil-Varkala road. [6] [7] [8] The 600 hectare Polachira Wetland is also close to Paravur. [9]
Pozhi is a natural phenomena of formation of a sand bar along the coast separating sea and backwaters in the peninsula areas during summer season but which erode during the monsoon season, allowing the sea to be merged with the backwaters. Paravur backwaters' on both the north (Thanni beach) and south ends (Thekkumbhagam beach) have Pozhi. Both meet the Arabian Sea in the district's beach faces. There is an artificial tidal-regulator in the spillway bridge at Pozhikara estuarine area, constructed in 1957 to control the salt water intrusion into Paravur Lake. [10] This phenomenon provides abundant water for people living in the Grama panchayats of Ithikkara, Velinalloor, Pooyappally, Adichanalloor, parts of Poothakkulam, Polachira, Mayyanad, Chirakkara, Chathannoor, Elakamon, Edava and the Paravur municipal area. [11]
Paravur Lake is a lake in Paravur, Kerala, India. [12] Although it is small, with an area of only 6.62 km2, [13] it is the end point of the Ithikkara River and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the Kerala Backwaters. It has been connected to Edava and Ashtamudi Kayal as part of the Trivandrum - Shoranur canal system since the late 19th century.
Paravur is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. Paravur is located 11.6 km (7.2 mi) southeast of the Kollam city centre, and is a part of the Kollam metropolitan area. Paravur railway station is the last station in Kollam district which is on the route to Trivandrum while travelling towards South India.
The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea of the Malabar coast of Kerala state in south-western India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km (560 mi) of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to Arabian Sea or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes.
Kollam district, is one of 14 districts of the state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, a major Laccadive Sea seaport and an inland lake. The district has many water bodies. Kallada River is one among them, and land on the east bank of the river is East Kallada and that on the west bank is West Kallada.
Paravur Kayal is a lake in Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala, India. Although it is small, with an area of only 6.62 km², it is the end point of the Ithikkara River and part of the system of lakes and canals that make up the Kerala Backwaters. It has been connected to Edava and Ashtamudi Kayal as part of the Trivandrum - Shoranur canal system since the late 19th century.
Chirakkara is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. Chirakkara is 16 km away from the town of Kollam and 8 km away from Paravur Town, which is famous for festivals, estuary, backwaters and beaches.
Edava is a panchayat in Varkala Taluk, which is the northernmost tip of Trivandrum district in the state of Kerala, India. Edava is located 5km north of Varkala, 21km south of port city Kollam and 44km north of capital city Trivandrum. Kappil beach is a famous surf location.Surfsupkerala life saving club operates here.
Kappil is a seashore tourist spot located in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Varkala railway station is the major railway station near Kappil.
Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kollam Beach is the first 'Beach Wedding Destination' in Kerala.
Paravur railway station is an NSG–5 category Indian railway station in Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway zone. It is a railway station in the Indian municipal town of Paravur in Kollam district, Kerala. Paravur railway station was formerly a D-class railway station.
Pozhikkara or Pozhikara is the Western border town of the Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala state in India. It is located at the South-Western tip of Kollam's coastal area. It is in the Arabian Sea coast. Pozhikara is a heritage site in Kerala. Visitors, including foreign visitors come to Paravur and Pozhikara to see the estuary, backwaters and beaches. As per the 2018 study report by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute(CMRFRI) of India, Pozhikkara beach is one of the 16 best-kept beaches in India, topper from the state of Kerala.
Nedungolam or Nedumgolam is the Northern border town of Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala state, India. Nedungolam is very near to the world-famous-wetland in Kollam district, Polachira, which is a favorite destination for migratory birds. A census conducted on 2003 reveals that over 26,000 birds belonging to 37 species are visiting or living in the Polachira wetlands.
Thekkumbhagam or Thekkumbhagom is the southern border town of Paravur municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is located at the Southern tip of Kollam's coastal area. It is in the Arabian Sea coast. Thekkumbhagam-Kappil estuary point in the Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram coastal border is one of the emerging tourism spots in the state. On 1936, during formation, Thekkumbhagam was one of the nine territories of Paravur Panchayath. Thekkumbhagam estuary is one among the twin estuary points in Paravur. The other one is Pozhikara estuary.
Mundakkal, also spelt Mundackal, is an important residential area and industrial hub situated in the city of Kollam, Kerala, India. The place is considered as the capital of India's cashew processing activities. Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited(KSCDC) and Cashew Export Promotion Council of India(CEPCI) are headquartered at Mundakkal in Kollam city. It is an important tourist place in the city and a part of Downtown Kollam which gained in significance because of the presence of a flourishing beach. During 'Karkidaka Vavubali', thousands of devotees arrive on the beach to perform the Vavubali Tharpanam. Vavubali is an important ritual observed by Hindus in Kerala in the month of Karkidakam. The ritual involves people offering Bali to the departed souls. The ritual is performed by men, women, and children.
Kottappuram or Kottapuram is an urban village, situated at Paravur municipality in Kollam district, Kerala. It is one among the two villages in Paravur municipality and one among the 30 villages coming under Kollam Taluk.
City of Kollam or Quilon is known as Prince of Arabian Sea, situated on the banks of Arabian Sea and Ashtamudi Lake. A major portion of Kollam Municipal Corporation area is occupied by Ashtamudi Lake. It is the most visited backwater and lake of Kerala, with a unique wetland ecosystem, a palm-shaped large water body, next only to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state. Ashtamudi means 'eight coned'(Ashta = 'eight'; mudi = 'coned') in the local language of Malayalam. This name is indicative of the lake's topography: a lake with multiple branches. The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. This lake is extremely famous for House Boat and Backwater Resorts.
Kollam-Paravur Coastal Road is one of the important city roads currently under construction in Kollam city in Kerala, India. The 14.1-kilometre-long (8.8 mi) road starts at Chinnakada in the north and ends at Paravur town in the south, via Kollam Beach, Mundakkal Beach, Kakkathoppu, Mukkom, Thanni and Pozhikara. Coastal road is considered one of the important roads in Kollam city as it is passing through the suburbs like Kochupilamoodu, Mundakkal, Valathungal and Vadakkumbhagam. It is also known as Eravipuram-Paravur Coastal road.
Paravur Municipal Bus Stand or Paravur Private Bus Stand is the one and only bus stand in Paravur municipal town of Kollam district, Kerala. The bus stand construction project was implemented by the Municipal council of Paravur before some years.
City of Kollam or Quilon is a Port city in South India and was the commercial capital of erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. It is situated on the Laccadive Sea coast of South Kerala. The city is known as the "Gateway to the backwaters of Kerala". The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala's second largest lake, on the Arabian sea coast. Major parts of Kollam city are covered by Ashtamudi Lake.
Puthenkulam is a small village in Ithikkara block in Kollam district of Kerala state, India. It comes under Poothakkulam Grama panchayath. Puthenkulam postal pincode is 691302. It is located 5 km from Paravur on Paravur - Parippally road. Puthenkulam is known as the 'elephant village' and is a popular tourist spot in Kollam. Approximate driving distance between Kollam railway station to Puthenkulam bus stop is about 22.1 km.
Thanni Beach is a beach situated approximately 10 kilometers from Kollam City in Kerala, India. Situated beside the Kollam Coastal Road, the beach is also accessible from both Kollam Beach and Mayyanad via the Thanni Bridge, making it popular among locals and tourists alike. Tetrapod breakwaters, locally called Pulimuttu, line the shore to reduce wave intensity and create a safe swimming area. Uniquely, a thin landmass separates the beach from Paravur Lake, offering visitors the chance to experience both backwaters and beachfront in close proximity.
