Periyar Mouth

The Periyar descends from the Western Ghats and divides into branches near the Malabar coast. One reaches the sea at Munambam, while another enters the backwaters around Cochin. These waters lie near a coast of old ports and spice trade, where the rulers of Cochin and neighbouring kingdoms dealt with merchants from across the Indian Ocean. After the Portuguese arrival, Dutch and British companies also sought a share of that commerce.