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DeutschKodungallur (historically known as Cranganore or Muziris) is a coastal town in the Thrissur District of Central Kerala, India. The town serves as a vital historical cradle for maritime trade and a melting point of global religions.
Understand
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Kodungallur was known to the Greeks and Romans as "Muziris" (Μουζιρίς Mouzirís), the land where silk forms road and milk & honey flowing on it. It was the capital of Chera emperors till its partition in the 7th century CE.
Muziris 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.
It is the melting pot of global religions. It houses the oldest mosque in India (second oldest in the world), the oldest Christian Church of India is just 50 km away in Guruvayoor. It also has its share of nearby synagogues and ancient Hindu temples.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By plane
[edit | edit source]By train
[edit | edit source]- Irinjalakuda SR (IJK). Nearest railway station (14 km)
By bus
[edit | edit source]- 1 Koungallur Bus Stad. 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.
By ferry
[edit | edit source]- 2 Azhikode ferry terminal. Connected to Munambam ferry terminal in Vipin Island, which is part of the Goshree Islands
Get around
[edit | edit source]- Auto-Rickshaws: Available everywhere. No meters or fixed rates. Fix up a price before boarding. Bargain.
See
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- 1 Azhikode lighthouse (8 km from Kodungallur). 30 m high concrete tower built in 1982.
- 2 Mohammed Abdul Rahman Sahib Museum. 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Mon closed). Mohammed Abdul Rahman Sahib (1898–1945) was a freedom fighter and social reformer. His birthplace and residence have been converted into a museum. The museum depicts the life of Sahib through visual exhibits, including a video show.
- 3 Mar Thoma Church, Kodungaloor. First church in India. The apostle St Thomas landed in Kodungallur in 52 AD. He established the church. It still houses ancient relics.
- 4 Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple. This temple at the center of this town attracts devotees from across the country. The temple complex houses a museum.
- 5 Sringapuram Mahadeva Temple. 5:00 AM to 9:45 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- 6 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 Mecca. Unlike other mosques, which normally face westwards towards Mecca, this mosque faces east (as the mosque in Mecca was not built, the Cherman Mosque followed the Kerala Hindu system of facing eastwards). Most Muslim festivals as well as Hindu festivals particularly nearby Thiruvanchikulam Temple festival.
- 7 Keezhtali Mahadeva Temple. It is celebrated as one of the 18 historic "Thali" temples of Kerala. These functioned as prominent social, political, and spiritual hubs during the Chera Perumal empire.
- 8 Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva 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.
- 9 Cheraman Parambu. Archaeological site. It served as the palace compound of the Cheraman Perumals, the emperors who once ruled medieval Kerala
- 10 Kottappuram Fort (Cranganore Fort or Fortaleza da São Tomé). 10 am - 6 pm, Mon closed. A 16th-century Portuguese Fortress, positioned strategically at the mouth of the Periyar River. The fort, which is in total ruins, has changed hands many times. ₹10.
- 11 Muziris Lakeshore Park. Muziris Lakeshore Park is a serene waterfront destination built along the Periyar River backwaters. It offers a blend of scenic natural beauty with cultural history. It serves as a popular spot for evening hangouts and family picnics. It is a vantage point for a spectacular sunset.
- 12 Mala Synagogue. A former Synagogue located in the nearby Mala town, north-east of Kodungaloor. The original Synagogue dates back to 1000 CE. Over the centuries the Synagogue has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The present structure dates back to 1909. After the formation of Israel in 1948, a large section of Malabar Jews left for Israel. Since, 1954, the Mala Gram Panchayat has administered the synagogue along with the adjoining Jewish cemetery.
- 13 Bungalow Kadavu Museum.
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]- Shalimar Implex. Very good when shopping for apparel and accessories with good customer service.
Eat
[edit | edit source]EAT Biriyani From Durbar
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- PWD Rest House, ☏ +91 7594970508.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- 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.
- North Paravur - Located south of the Periyar River, a melting pot and houses ancient temples, churches, synagogues and the Muziris museum.