Korapuzha, also known as Elathur River, is a short river of , with a drainage area of , flowing through the Kozhikode district of Kerala state in India. It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Akalapuzha River and Punoor puzha which originate in the mountains of Wayanad district. The Korapuzha empties into the Arabian Sea at Elathur. The river and its main tributaries become tidal as they near the Arabian Sea. There is heavy boat traffic over the last of its course. It forms part of the West Coast Inland Navigation System.
Korappuzha bridge
This 480-metre bridge is the longest bridge in Kozhikode district. Completed in 1940, it has 13 spans. The surroundings are lush green and very photogenic.
History
The river for some times formed the northern border of the
Zamorin's kingdom. The Korapuzha is generally considered as the
cordon sanitaire between the
North Malabar and
South Malabar in the erstwhile
Malabar District.
Until the 20th century the Nair women of
North Malabar crossing the Korapuzha and going
South Malabar or marrying a person from
South Malabar was considered a
taboo and those who violated faced
Bhrasht (Ostracism) and forfeiture of
caste.
The prohibition in North Malabar and South Malabar began with the rivalry between the
Kolathunadu and the
Zamorin.
At the same time, the
Kolathunadu maintained good relations with the
Travancore-Venad Kingdom and the
Tulu Nadu Kingdom.
Travancore royal family is a close cousin dynasty of the
Kolathiri of
North Malabar.
Notes
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Malabar Manual in two volumes by William Logan, first published in 1887, reprinted by Asian Educational Services in 1951.
-
Nayars of Malabar Vol III by F. Fawcett, first published in 1901.
