Rivers of India · Drains to the Arabian Sea

Periyar River: source, course, dams and places

Q: Where does the Periyar end?

In the Arabian Sea (Vembanad backwaters near Kochi, Kerala).

Periyar is about 244 km long (total length). It rises at Sivagiri hills, Western Ghats and reaches the Arabian Sea. A map-first summary for exam revision.

By Pradyumna Gayake · Updated 5 Nov 2026 · From the same data as the app’s Periyar study card

The Periyar drawn from AtlasMitra’s river data. Circle: source. Diamonds: dams and barrages. Dots: places on its course. India’s boundary as per the Survey of India.

Source

The Periyar rises at Sivagiri hills, Western Ghats, Idukki district, Kerala. 9.29° N, 77.26° E

Course

Its main course runs Kerala, and it enters the Arabian Sea: vembanad backwaters near Kochi, Kerala.

Key facts

Longest river of Kerala
Periyar Tiger Reserve surrounds its upper lake.

Dams and barrages

Dam	Where and what
Mullaperiyar Dam	Idukki district, Kerala.
Idukki Dam	Arch dam, Idukki district, Kerala.

Places along the Periyar

Place	Note
Aluva	Kerala · lower river near Kochi.

Quick questions

Where does the Periyar originate?

At Sivagiri hills, Western Ghats (Idukki district, Kerala).

Where does the Periyar end?

In the Arabian Sea (Vembanad backwaters near Kochi, Kerala).

How long is the Periyar?

About 244 km (total length).

Which dams are on the Periyar?

Mullaperiyar Dam: Idukki district, Kerala. Idukki Dam: Arch dam, Idukki district, Kerala.