Kodungallur, Ancient port town in Thrissur district, India
Kodungallur is a town in Thrissur district, Kerala, on the banks of the Periyar River, that developed as a port in a low coastal setting. The townscape combines ruins of an old fort, religious buildings from different faiths, and residential quarters that spread along waterways.
The port flourished during the first millennium as a gateway for traders from the Middle East and Europe, until the Periyar changed its course after a 14th-century flood. Later colonial powers built a fort that changed hands several times before falling into ruin.
The name Cranganore derives from Kodam and Kadalur, reflecting a long connection with coastal trade and seafaring that remains visible today in place names and local architecture. Many residents maintain religious traditions across different sites in the town, where prayer spaces and shrines sit close to one another.
Two national highways connect the town to larger centers in Kerala, making it accessible by car or bus. The nearest international airport is about an hour's drive away, allowing travelers to continue directly from there.
The Cheraman Juma Mosque is considered the first mosque on the Indian subcontinent and preserves a construction style that blends local Hindu architectural elements with Islamic forms. Visitors can see an oil lamp here that has been lit every evening for centuries.
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