Kodungallur is a historical town located in the Kerala state of India; it is cherished for its historical as well as cultural importance. Situated on the Malabar Coast of the country, it was one of the famed ancient ports called Muziris, which used to be an integral part of ancient trade lines. Kodungallur is famous for the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, one of the prominent pilgrimage temples. It also has the Cheraman Juma Masjid as the oldest mosque in India; this reflects the historic religious tolerance in the town. The town has fascinating festivals and lively culture, historical importance, and impressive geographical charisma, proving it to be a heritage town of Kerala.
Best Places To Visit In Kodungallur
Kodungallur’s attractiveness and calmness are selling points for tourists. There are many other nearby places, such as beaches, temples, forts, masjids, etc., for tourists to browse. In this blog, we will give you insights into many good, attractive places that will help you in your journey to this place.
1. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
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The Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is situated at Kodungallur in the Thrissur district of Kerala and is devoted to Goddess Bhagavathy. Tirumala is regarded as one of the oldest and most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh, and its history is mentioned in the old Sanskrit scriptures. The temple dates back over 1200 years, and according to the locals and the architecture, it is believed to have been constructed during the 8th century. The main deity of this temple is Kalika, a powerful form of the Goddess Kali. It is primarily constructed in the Malayalam architecture style, giving it a distinct identity. It is related to a temple, and one of the temple’s festivals is Bharani, which is usually held in the month of March-April every year. The place draws significant traffic of devotees.
Several activities and other traditional arts are performed during the festival celebration. Other gods and goddesses are also worshipped at the temple, such as the Hindu God Shiva, Vinayaka or Ganapathi, and the serpent gods. The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board, which controls all temple affairs in the region. As one of the oldest temples and steeped in religious history, it’s imperative that anyone who is a patron of the arts and history set foot in the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple.
Address: Thrissur District, Kodungallur, Kerala, India
Entry Fee: Free
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2. Cheraman Juma Masjid
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Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungallur in Malappuram district of Kerala is accepted as the first mosque of India. It was established in 629 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar, an Arab missionary of Islam when the Chera king Cheraman Perumal Bhaskara allowed him to construct the mosque. It is however believed that the mosque was built at the location of a Hindu temple and palace construction that was donated to the Islamic clerics on their visit. Cheraman Juma Masjid also has an oil lamp which has been burning for centuries and is reportedly fed with only water and cotton wicks. The structure of the mosque has been expanded at various times over the years but the foundation and several pillars are from the original structure built in the 7th century.
Cheraman Juma Masjid still holds immense historic value and represents a model of religious harmony and assimilation in the context of historical Kerala. It still supports daily prayers and is able to welcome visitors of all religious persuasions.
Address: Methala, Kodungallur, Kerala 680664, India
Entry Fee: Free
3. Munambam Beach
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Munambam Beach is in the Kodungallur town in the state of Kerala, in the southern part of India. This is situated at the mouth of the Periyar, where it flows into the Arabian Sea. Accommodation is picturesque and the beach alone spans the coastline of more than 4 kilometres of golden sand fringed with palm trees. Due to its location close to the port town of Kochi, the area is most active for fishing as well as trading business. However, with the constant flow of activities at this port, Munambam Beach is still a fantastic destination for tourists who seek to explore the beauty of the area and relaxation.
It is calm and suitable for evening walks when the sun is setting over the Arabian Sea along the beach. On the weekends, the beach gets more crowded with families and groups of locals coming here to have a picnic under the palm trees. There are also some water activities that can be undertaken during the course of the tourist season such as speed boat riding among others.
Address: Munambam, Kodungallur, Kerala, India
Entry Fee: Free
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4. Kottappuram Fort
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The Kottappuram Fort was built in 1523 by the Portuguese. They have constructed this fort using laterite material and it is located at the estuary of the River Periyar with the Arabian Sea. For the past two centuries, this fort was used as a vital base for the Portuguese in their business and commerce with India and other parts of Asia. It was captured by the Portuguese by the Dutch East India Company in 1663. They developed this place into a modern fort and till 1795 it was their main trading centre at the Malabar Coast. This was so when Tipu Sultan took over the fort and demolished most of the structures in the compound.
Today, the only evidence that continues to remain as a living testimony to the original Kottappuram fort is a lone fragment. This structure on the northern side of the Periyar River, which was constructed during the Portuguese and Dutch rule in Kerala, supports the fact that this place was of significant importance during those times due to international trade when spices were a prized commodity. Though it has been reduced into rubble, the fort continues to pull crowds of tourists visiting Kodungallur.
Address: Kodungallur, Kerala 680668, India
Entry Fee: Free
5. Kodungallur Palace
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Kodungallur Palace is an old palace located at Kodungallur town in Kerala. This palace was built in the early part of the sixteenth century and is today a testimony of the bygone era of the Chera dynasty capital city. Its architecture is Indo-Western style having a mix of Portuguese, Dutch and English architecture with a touch of traditional Kerala style because the place was a trading hub during those ages. The palace is a three storied building, made of laterite and timber and it comprises inclined roofs, arched corridors, wooden carving at the ceiling and pillars as well as inner circle of courtyard surrounding a magnificent central one.
The latter has been preserved relatively intact even after multiple renovations over the years and centuries and retains a lot of historical architectural characteristics that are inherent in the Kodungallur Palace. It provides the visitors with an opportunity to explore the splendid past of the region through the unique collection of art historical pieces. Miniature painting on the walls and other artefacts like royal dresses, jewels, utensils etc are preserved here which narrates the history of Kodungallur under the rule of Chera, Perumal and Portuguese in the three millennia period.
Address: Kodungallur, Kerala, India
Entry Fee: Free
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Kodungallur seems to be one of the most picturesque and rich in history and culture places of interest, providing unique experiences of exploring the beauty of nature alongside learning its history. Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple and Cheraman Juma Masjid show the religious significance of the state, and Munambam Beach is a perfect place to relax by the Arabian Sea. Tourist destinations such as Kottappuram Fort and Kodungallur Palace give the tourist a brief history of the state. Every sight, be it the historical buildings or the serene backwaters, narrates a part of Kodungallur’s multicultural heritage. For lovers of history, culture, or the wonders of nature, Kodungallur cannot but be a most rewarding destination, putting it in the list of must-visits during your trip to Kerala.
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Cover Image Credit: Illiterate for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Kodungallur
For what Kodungallur is famous for?
Kodungallur is famous for cultural tourism, historical sites, religious sites such as Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple and Cheraman Juma Masjid which is the first mosque in India.
Kodungallur is located where?
Kodungallur is a town in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India and is situated in the Malabar Coast.
What is special about Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple?
Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala, which is devoted to Goddess Bhadrakali. It is famous for its elaborate architecture and lively Bharani festival.
Is Cheraman Juma Masjid open for non-Muslims in Kodungallur?
Yes, Cheraman Juma Masjid is open for all irrespective of religion, and it is an example of religious tolerance.
What are the things that people can do when they visit Munambam beach in Kodungallur?
Tourists can have nature walks or picnicking and can indulge in water sports like speed boating at Munambam Beach. It is also a perfect place to witness sundown.
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