Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple in the area of Malabar Coast of Kerala India

Kodungallur

Did you know that Kodungallur is an ancient historical port town which is known for its Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple built by the Chera dynasty, who ruled before the Chritain era, in the area of Malabar Coast of Kerala?

Did you know that Kodungallur, also called also Cranganore in Kerala is where the first case of COVID-19 in India was reported at Kodungallur in a medical student who returned from Wuhan University?

Kodungallur, also Cranganore, is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thrissur district of Kerala. Being a port city at the northern end of the Kerala lagoons, it was a strategic entry point for the naval fleets to the extensive Kerala backwaters. It was the earliest established city in Kerala during the reign of the Chera dynasty before the Christian era. It was a port city which used to have trade with the Romans and the Chinese. Cherra dysnaty built the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple and the Goddess Bhagavathy was their family deity. 

Kodungallur was prominent during the Chera and later Chola dynsaties when the Kodungallur Kovilakam and the king dealt with Samuthiri (ruler) of North Kerala and Kochi Raja in the state of Kochi who both subordinated Kodungallur during subsequent periods. The port was damaged from flood or earthquke during 1300s and the city lost its importannce to Kochi and its port.

A traditional belief among the ancient Christians in Kerala is that Apostle St. Thomas landed in or around Kodungallur in the middle of the first century AD and founded Seven Churches: Kodungallur, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkavu, Palayoor and Kollam.

Kodungallur is where the first mosque Chreman Juma Masjid was established at the mercy of the then Chera King during 624 AD with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) of Chera dynasty, who left from Dharmadom to Mecca and converted to Islam during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632). It was also important with the Jewsish settlers in Kerala. 

Fort Cranganore, known locally as Kottappuram Fort/Tipu's Fort, was constructed in Kodungallur by Portuguese in 1523. The fort was enlarged in 1565, and passed into the hands of the Dutch in 1663. 

Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple was built by King Chera as a memorial to Kannaki, the heroine of the Tamil classic Chilappathikaaram. Legend also mentions it as a Buddhist shrine that was later converted to a Hindu temple. It is said that it was, in the olden days, a Shiva shrine and it was Parasurama who installed the murti of Bhadrakali close to one of Shiva. She is actually the deific incarnation of Kannagi, who cursed the Kingdom of Madurai to be burnt. The idol of Bhagawati is about seven feet high and made of wood, carved from a jackfruit tree. The idol has eight arms that carry weapons and symbols. The pujas are conducted, it is said, under direct instructions from the goddess herself. Five 'Sri Chakras', said to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya. The famous festival, Kodungallur Bharani or Kavil Bharani, is held here annually from the Bharani asterism in the month of Kumbham to 7 days after the Bharani asterism in the month of Meenam.March and April and is thus a popular pilgrimage centre. 

Kodungallur is 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of Kochi (Cochin) by National Highway 66 and 38 km (24 mi) from Thrissur.

Narasipur Char