The Valapattanam River originates from the Brahmagiri hills in Bramhagiri Reserve Forest in Karnataka at an altitude of 900-1350m above sea level and drains into the Kannur district. Towns like Iritty, Irikkur, Parassinikkadavu, Valapattanam and Pappinisseri are on its banks. The Parassinikkadavu temple is also on the bank of this river.