Kodungallur

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.

Getting there

By plane Nedumbassery Airport, Kochi (COK IATA). 28 km (updated Jul 2026)

By train Irinjalakuda SR (IJK). 14 km (updated Jul 2026)

By bus 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. (updated Jul 2026)

By ferry 2 Azhikode ferry terminal. Connected to Munambam ferry terminal in Vipin Island, which is part of the Goshree Islands (updated Jul 2026)

See

1 Azhikode lighthouse. (updated Jul 2026) 2 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. (updated Jul 2026) 3 Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi Temple. This temple at the center of this town attracts devotees from across the country. 4 Sringapuram Mahadeva Temple. (updated Jul 2026) 5 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. 6 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. (updated Jul 2026) 7 Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple. Capital of Ancient Chera Empire. This is one of the oldest Siva

Buy

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

Sleep

PWD Rest House, ☏ +91 7594970508. (updated Nov 2025)

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. North Paravur - Located south of the Periyar River in Ernakulam District. The town is a melting pot and houses ancient temples, churches and synagogues.