Kodungallur

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Kodungallur

Kodungallur (anglicised name: Cranganore ) and known in ancient times as Shinkli, Muchiri (anglicised to Muziris), Muyirikkodu, Muchiripattinam was a famous and prosperous sea-port at the mouth of the Periyar (also known as Choorni Nadi) river in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 38 km from the present day city of Kochi at .

The name Muchiri (Malayalam for broken lips) denotes the three branches of the Periyar river that open into the Arabian Sea at the town.

Ancient fame

Kodungallur was a critical trade link in Indian Ancient Maritime History. It was known as Muziris to Pliny the Elder (N.H. 6.26) who describes it as primum emporium Indiae.

The port was familiar to the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea which described it as being situated on river Pseudostomos (Greek for "false mouth" - a precise translation of the Malayalam description of the mouth of the Periyar, Alimukam) two miles from its mouth .

The ancient Greek explorer, Hippalus landed at this port after discovering the patterns of the Indian monsoon trade winds on his way from the East coast of Africa. The evidence of the Peutinger Table suggests that there was a temple to the Roman emperor Augustus.

The Greeks, the Romans (known locally as the Yavanas), and the Jews all have come to this place at different times in its ancient history.

Roman gold and silver coins bearing impressions of Roman Emperors Tiberius and Nero were discovered in the village of Parur near the town during 2000.

A second-century papyrus from Egypt concerning the transshipment of goods originating in Muziris from the Red Sea to Alexandria attests the continued importance of the port in the Indian Ocean commerce a century after Pliny and the Periplus.

Thomas the Apostle of Jesus with his followers landed in Cranganore in the year AD 52 and preached the gospel. It thus became the earliest Nasrani Syrian Christian centre of Malabar with monuments built in the memory of Thomas still existing. The existence of a thriving Christian Community here attracted the attention of others and the Bishops who came from Persia chose this place for their residence. The bones of the right hand of St Thomas were placed in 1953 as a memento.

Malik Ibn Dinar and 20 others who were the followers of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, first landed here when they came to India. Islam received royal patronage in some states here, and later spread to other parts of India.

Kodungallur was also the capital of Cheraman Perumal, that is known as the famous cherama Palli the last Chera ruler, in the 7th century AD. After this, This place was ruled by Perumpadapu Swaroopam till India's Independence.

Kodungallur is also famous for Bharani Festival.

Flood of 1341AD

The flood of the river in 1341 AD resulted in the splitting of the river into two tributaries at Thottummukham. That silted up the natural harbour at the mouth of the river, and resulted in the creation of a new harbour at Kochi. During this time there was the rise of the Samoothiri Rajas of Kozhikode. A local era called the Putu Vaipu era was commenced in commemoration of this event.

The town was nearly completely destroyed by the Portuguese (Suarez de Menezes) on September 1, 1504 in retaliation for the Samoothiri Raja's actions against them.

Perumpadapu Swaroopam still has their roots here.

The present day natural beauty of the place is enchanting, and it is a popular tourist destination today.

Sights

The present day town has some very interesting monuments for the tourist to view:

Kodungallur Bagavathy temple - believed to have been constructed during the reign of Chera King, Cheran Senkuttuvan, is famous for its Bharani festival. The temple requires the pilgrim to carry pepper as one of the offerings to the deity.

Kali temple - has an interesting history since it portrays the Hindu goddess, Kali with only one breast. It was believed to have been built to immortalise a woman called Kannagi who was led through the wilderness by a Jain monk, and who in turn led the local people. The temple is famous for its annual festival where alcohol is drunk and lewd songs are sung by untouchables. The pattern of alternation makes it possible for a single female figure to contain polar opposite qualities; this female is both chaste and vulgar, socially proper and socially unacceptable, clean and unclean.

Cheraman Jama Masjid - built around 612 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and the bodies of some of the original followers is said to have been buried here. This is said to be first mosque constructed in India. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca.

Various names

Kodungallur has enjoyed various names over the past millennia. In addition to those mentioned previously these are Jangli, Gingaleh, Cyngilin, Shinkali, Chinkli/Jinkali, Shenkala, Cynkali, Columguria.

References

Logan, William. Malabar Manual, Delhi, Asian Educational Services, 2000, 1186 pgs. pp 312, ISBN 8120604466 (Originally published in Madras, 1887).
Thür, G. 1987. Hypotheken Urkunde eines Seedarlehens für eine Reise nach Muziris und Apographe für die Tetarte in Alexandria (zu P. Vindob. G. 40. 8222). Tyche 2:229-245.
Menachery, Professor George. Kodungallur - The Cradle of Christianity In India, Thrissur: Marthoma Pontifical Shrine, 2000, Ch.I

External links

Cities and towns in Kerala

Cranganore | Cranganore