Kodungallur - Town in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India

Kodungallur (anglicised name: Cranganore) is a city in Central Kerala. It is one of the oldest ports in the world.

Understand

Kodungallor was known in Greek as Muziris, which was described by Roman Emperor Caesar as Land where silk forms road and milk & honey flowing on it. It was the capital of Chera Emperors, until its partition in 7th century AD.

It was known in ancient times as Mahodayapuram, Shinkli, Muchiri (anglicised to Muziris) and Muyirikkodu. Muchiripattinam was a famous and prosperous seaport at the mouth of the Periyar (also known as Choorni Nadi) river in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The name Muchiri (Malayalam for cleft lip) denotes the three branches of the Periyar river which open into the Arabian Sea at the town.

Get in

Kodungallur is connected with all major cities of India through road.The coastal highway NH17 connecting Ernakulam and Mumbai is passing through Kodungallur. Kochi and Thrissur are 35 km away from Kodungallur. The Kollam - Kottapuram National Waterway III ends at Kodungallur.

Nearest Main Railway station - Thrissur - 35 km

Nearest Airport - Nedumbassery Airport, Kochi - 30 km

Get around

See

• Azhikode. River Periyar combine with Arabian Sea. Apostle St.Mar Thoma landed here for the propagation of Christianity in India.
• Cheraman Juma Masjid. India's oldest mosque and world's 2nd mosque built in 629 AD soon after Medina Mosque in Saudi Arabia. Due to traditional relations with Arabia, soon after formation of Islam, champions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed came to Chera Capital of Kodunagallor (Muziris) and demonstrate the Prophet's miracle. The original mosque was destroyed during Great Periyar floods in 1341, and several later mosques on its same site were destroyed during various wars and raids. However the mosque has been rebuilt. The important legacy of this mosque, is its effective harmony with Hinduism and adoption of several Hindu customs into its system. The Royal Lamp used by Cheras are still used inside the mosque and one of the most important highlight. The Mosque is built in traditional Hindu Kerala architecture with lot of murals, Hindu motifs, etc., and several traditional Hindu lamps is used. A white block of Marble blessed by Mohammed brought here from Makkah. Unlike other mosques which normally faces westwards towards Makkah, this mosque faces towards East (as Makkah mosque was not built, at time of Cherman Mosque as well as following Kerala Hindu system of facing eastwards). Most of Muslim festivals as well as Hindu festivals particularly nearby Thiruvanchikulam Temple festival.
• Kodungallor Temple. A very famous Devi temple, that highlights the historical relations between Ancient Tamil Empires of Chera, Cholas and Pandyas. This temple is believed to have Kannakki (Heroine of Ancient Tamil epic-Silampardikaram) in a fiery form, after destroying Madurai. The temple was built in 1st century AD by Chera Emperors. Hence, many unique ancient Tamil customs still followed in this temple. The Goddess is believed to be Goddess of Epidemic and worship helps to control it. The sacred red turmeric of the temple is said to be highly effective against diseases like chicken pox etc.
• Mar Thoma church. First church in India. The apostle St Thomas landed in Kodungallur in 52 AD. He established the church. It still houses ancient relics.
• Portuguese fort.
• Relics Of Chera King. Who participated in Holy Hajj
• Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi. This temple at the center of this town attracts devotees from across the country.
• Thiruvanchikulam Maha Deva Siva temple. Capital of Ancient Chera Empire. This is one of the oldest Siva temples in south India where Lord Siva is said to have lived along with his whole family. This temple has got a relation with south India's famous Chidambaram temple. The temple is believed to have been established during 4th BC by the Villuvar Chera Tribe, much before their accession as Chera Emperors. The speciality of this Shiva temple is that, it is the only temple in South India, where Lord Shiva and Goddess Paravati along with their full family reside inside one sanatorium. Due to this form, this temple is famous for couples and marriages. The entire temple was designed as a Palace for the Lord, with Rest Rooms for Shiva and Parvathi, Bed rooms, Guard Rooms etc. which itself is very unique. The temple has largest number of Sub-Idols to worship (around 21) and a tank with waters from Ganges drawn to it was also established. This temple shares a unique relation with Chidambharam in Tamil Nadu and formed basis of the latter. Built in Tamil style, this was re-modified in Kerala style after its destruction during Chera-Chola war. The Capital city of Imperial Cheras referred as Mahodayapuram, was located here and archeological excavations going one, to find traces of the lost Chera Capital city.

Do

Buy

• Shalimar Implex. Very good when shopping for apparel and accessories with good customer service.

Eat

EAT Biriyani From Durbar

Drink

Sleep

Go next

• Guruvayur - about 55 km from Kodungallur. Bus services (both originating from Kodungallur and coming from Ernakulam) are available from around 5:30AM to about 8PM at about 15-minute interval. The road is narrow and curvy till Triprayar but is wide and straighter from then on.