Bhavani river originates from Nilgiri hills of the Western Ghats, enters the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala and flows back towards Tamil Nadu.

Its watershed drains an area of 0.62 million hectares (2,400 sq mi) spread over Tamil Nadu (87%), Kerala (9%) and Karnataka (4%).

[2] Twelve major rivulets including West and East Varagar rivers join the Bhavani draining the southern Nilgiri slopes.

At Mukkali, the Bhavani takes an abrupt 120-degree turn towards the northeast and flows for another 25 kilometres (16 mi) through Attappady plateau.

The river continues east for over 160 kilometres (99 mi) through Erode District, traversing Kodiveri Dam, near Gobichettipalayam which feeds the Arakkankottai and Thadappalli canals constructed for agricultural purposes.

[5] The Bhavanisagar dam is located on the Bhavani river in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India.