Kurumali River

About Kurumali River

Kurumali River is situated 48km from the city,Thrissur disrict, Kerala, The Kurumali River’s the main tributary of the Karuvannur river. It originates as the Chimmony Aar from Poomalai which is 1116 m from Sea Level in the Western Ghats and flows through the Thrissur district.The Kurumali River is the main tributary of the Karuvannur river.The rivers of manali and Kurumali are the key sources of this river. It originates about 365 mtr height from the Sea Level.The Mupli River Joins the Chimmony river, forming the Kurumali River in Elikode near Karikulam. The River joins with Manali River at Palakkadavu and forms Karuvannur Puzha which flows through famous Kole lands of Thrissur.Nandhipulam is a daughter of Kurumali river.

Interesting things to Visit

Kurumali temple:

This beautiful Temple Belongs to Perur Elayat Nair Veedu Family.

Karuvannur river:

Karuvannur river is situated 48km from the city,Thrissur disrict, Kerala,It has a has a basin area of 1,050 km2 and a current population of 1.119 million. 42 km of Trichur Corporation falls within Karuvannur river basin and the balance 63 km 2 falls outside it. The corporation has a population of 0.300 million. is situated 48km from the city,Thrissur disrict, Kerala,It has a has a basin area of 1,050 km2 and a current population of 1.119 million. 42 km of Trichur Corporation falls within Karuvannur river basin and the balance 63 km 2 falls outside it. The corporation has a population of 0.300 million.

Art Museum:

Art Museum is just 2 kms from Thrissur town, there is nice little art museum, which has a good collection of woodcarvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures and ancient jewellery. There are also wonderful figures and good paintings. This art museum is also well known fro a great collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

Cheruthuruthy (Kathakali Centre):

North of Thrissur, 29 kms away, near the Shoranur Railway junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala’s Kathakali performers get their training. The institution also offers training in music, drama and other dance forms including Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.

Peechi- Vazhani Wild life Sanctuary:

This large dam in the Western Ghats, 20km east of Trissur, provides the ares’s drinking water while the attached sanctuary offers protection for animals.

Koodalmanikyam Temple:

Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India dedicated to Bharat, the brother of Lord Ram. It is located Irinjalakuda from Thrissur district, Kerala. The sanctum is believed to have the presence of all godly powers and hence the name Koodalmanikyam - Koodal means ‘joining together’. The temple is surrounded by four vast ponds called ‘Kulipini Teertham’. A story about this temple is that the idols of Ram and his three brothers where brought from the sea coast by one Vakkayil kaimal.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church:

St. Mary’s Catholic Church situates on Irinjalakuda on the Trichur Roadjust 4.8Kms from Tana, Irinjalakuda.

Nearest Visiting places

Peechi Dam:

Peechi Dam is about 23km fromThrissur is an irrigation project site which offers boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chowalloor Shiva Temple:

Renowned as one of the 108 Shivalayas (Abode of Shiva) the Chowalloor Shiva Temple is in the neighborhood of Guruvayur. The temple location is scenic, calm and cool. The premier deity is Shiva with a special Shivalinga installed in the sanctum Sanctorum.

Heritage Garden:

Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The heritage garden is established recently to preserve and exhibit valuable Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The plants and trees preserved here include many varieties which come under the protected list.

Lourdes Cathedral:

Thrissur district was under the control of Dutch and British invaders. During their period they had created several beautiful churches, an example is the Lourdes Cathedral. The exterior features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The Centenary of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur in 1986.

Archaeological Museum:

The archaeological and art museum at Thrissur has a good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewelers. Located near the Zoo, at a distance of 2 km from the Thrissur town, this museum is a treasure trove of various Veerakallu, temple models, olagrandhangal , megaliths like earthen pots and urns etc.

The Zoo:

This is just 2 kms from Thrissur town, is the zoo, which is a wonderful place for animal enthusiasts. Within the 13.5 acres of compound, a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, Sloth bear, various species of birds, deer etc. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobra, Kraits, Vipers and rat snakes, and many other species.

Shakthan Thampuran Palace:

One of the landmarks of historical Perumpadappu Swaroopam, the Palace of Shakthan Thampuran in Thrissur is a major tourist attraction, especially for the One of the landmarks of historical Perumpadappu Swaroopam, the Palace of Shakthan Thampuran in Thrissur is a major tourist attraction.

Vilangakunnu:

This hill station is about 7 kms from Thrissur, Vilangakunnu is a beautiful little hill which is a wonderful picnic spot. This spot is a feast for ones eyes with its natural charm and serenity.

Punnathur Kotta (Elephant Shelter):

This place is just Near Guruvayoor, 2 km away is Punnathur Kotta, the place where temple elephants are taken care of. Nowhere else one can find so many elephants at a time.

Mummiyur Temple:

This temple is just 1 km away from Guruvayur is a temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s view is excellent with its wall paintings and exquisite sculptures.It is located near the famous Krishna temple.A visit to this shrine is considered mandatory for all those worshipping at the Krishna temple.

Thriprayar Temple:

This Temple is located south of Thrissur is one of the important temples dedicated to Lord Rama. The exquisite wood carvings, sculptures and Mural Paintings are an interesting sight.

Chavakkad Beach:

Lying on the coast of Arabian Sea and situated 5 km from Guruvayoor, Chavakkad beach is an important tourist spot. Chavakkad is famous for Haidross Kuttee, a lieutenant of Haider Ali of Mysore. St Thomas Church at Palayur and Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary are nearby tourist spots.

Parthasarathy:

This is a famous temple credited with an idol of Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna in the form of Guiding Arjuana (Partha)

Anakkaya:

Anakkayam is roughly 20 kms from Chalakudy on the Sholayar Peringalkuthu route, famous for its lake with cool and placid waters. The place got its name from a herd of elephants which used to visit the place quite often and the legend goes that the place got its name because some elephants had been drowned in this lake. The place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.

Elephant Camp:

Elephant Camp in the Punnathur Kotta is the largest elephant sanctuary in India. At present it has more than 60 elephants. All these elephants are offered to Guruvayur temple by the devotees of Guruvayurappan. This elephant sanctuary is a specimen example elephant love and preservation.

This elephant camp has produced many renowned elephants like Guruvayur Kesavan and Guruvayur Padmanabhan. The elephants are well treated in this camp. These elephants are used to carry Guruvayur temple idols in the procession known as Shiveli.

Guruvayoor:

Guruvayoor is away from Thrissur, this is also one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers in the state. The presiding deity is Lord Krishna. Legend has it that Guru, the preceptor of Gods and Vayu, the God of wind, created the temple.

Vadakkumnatha Kshethram:

Vadakkumnatha Kshethram temple sits atop a hill in the centre of Thrissur. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathi, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathi, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. Thissur Pooram, the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April every year. Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

Athirapilly Water falls:

It is situated at 63 Km distance from Thrissur district. This 80“ high waterfall at the threshold of the Sholayar ranges is a popular picnic spot. Dream World and Silver Storm are the two Amusement parks, which are located nearby. DTPC has a unit to gratify the needs of tourists.

Vazhachal Chalakudy River Vazhachal:

Tourist can reach there very easily as it is just a short drive from Athirapilly. This place is close to dense forests and a part of the Chalakudy River is also situated nearby.

Chavakkad beach:

This is seashore, and is famous for rare scenic beauty. This has been acknowledged as one of the best beaches along the west coast. Unaltered by modernization and laced on the borders by an array of coconut palms.

Nearest Petrol Pump

HP Petrol Pump
SH 22, Vasanth Nagar
Thrissur, Kerala.

Thaliyath Petrol Pump
Irinjalakuda,
Thrissur, Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Swaraj Round West,
Thrissur, Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Swaraj Round West
Thrissur, Kerala.

Prabhus Petrol Pump
Kodungallur
Thrissur, Kerala.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Colombo Hotel
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
Kerala.

Hotel Taj Residency
Ernakulam, Kerala
Tel: 0(91-484) 2371471.

Hotel Das Continental
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala
Tel: 0487 2446222.

Kanoos Residency
Guruvayoor
Thrissur, Kerala.

Rugmini Regency
Guruvayoor, Thrissur
Kerala 680101
Tel: 0487 2551873.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Police Station
SH 22, Irinjalakuda
Thrissur, Kerala.

Police station
Kattoor Town, Thrissur
Kerala

Chalakudi Police Station
Chalakudi, Thrissur
Kerala

Kodungallur Police Station
Kodungallur, Thrissur
Kerala.

Koratty Police Station
NH47, Thrissur
Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Irinjalakuda Co-operative Hospital
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
Kerala.

Govt Taluk Hospital
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
Kerala.

Merina Hospital
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
Kerala.

Danya Hospitals
Thrissur, Kerala.

Modern Hospital Kodungallur
P.O. Box No:22
Kodungallur Post
Thrissur, Kerala 680664
Tel: 0480 2802022.

Link:

http://suneeshwrites.blogspot.com/2007/12/kurumali-river.html

Location info

• Address: Karuvannur, Thrissur District , Kerala, India

• District: Thrissur District

• Nearest City: Chalakudy, Kochi and Kodungallur.

• Best time to visit: August and March.

Climate & weather

The weather Temaparture on Summer: (January - May) 15º C to 36º C. and Monsoon: (June - October) 26º C to 36º C.

Things to do at Kurumali River

Watch the temple on the banks of this river, You can do swimming, watersports and Boating.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Best time to visit Kurumali River

The best time to visit Kurumali River is from November to February with pleasant weather. The river is fullest during and after the monsoon (July–November). Summer months (March–May) see reduced water levels. Boating and riverside picnics are best in the post-monsoon months.

Timings & opening hours

River areas are accessible 24 hours. Boating and bathing are recommended only during daylight hours (6:00 AM–6:00 PM). Some riverside temples and ghats have specific access timings.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to riverside areas is generally free. Boating or rafting charges, if available, vary by operator. Rivers flowing through forest areas may require forest entry permits.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for riverside walks and photography. Additional time for boating, fishing, or picnicking if available.

Safety tips

Be cautious of strong currents and depth variations when near the river. Do not attempt to cross the river during heavy flow. Avoid swimming in unfamiliar stretches. Be mindful of slippery riverbank rocks. During monsoon, water levels can rise rapidly — avoid riverbanks during heavy rain.

Things to carry

Comfortable footwear, drinking water, camera, light snacks, mosquito repellent, a towel if you plan to wade, and an umbrella or rain cover for your bag. For riverside picnics, carry a ground sheet or mat.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction / Ernakulam Town Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Kurumali River

Kurumali River is part of Kerala’s extensive river network — the state has 44 rivers, 41 of which flow westward to the Arabian Sea and 3 eastward. These rivers originate in the Western Ghats and have shaped Kerala’s geography, agriculture, and culture. Rivers have been central to Kerala’s civilisation — providing water for rice cultivation, serving as trade routes, and inspiring countless works of literature and folklore. The riverbanks are dotted with temples, churches, and settlements that have flourished for centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go boating on the river? — Boating availability depends on the river’s width, depth, and current. Some rivers offer boat rides, especially wider stretches. Inquire locally. Is the river safe for swimming? — Swimming in rivers requires caution. Some stretches are safe, while others have strong currents. Check locally and avoid swimming near dams or after heavy rain. What is the best time to visit? — Early morning for the best light and bird sightings. Post-monsoon (October–January) offers the best water levels and scenic beauty.