Kottapuram

Kottapuram river, and bridge amidst some Chinese fishing nets

Kottapuram is a part of the Thrissur district and at the southernmost border of the Kodungallur municipality. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottapuram, which is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Verapoly, has its see here.

Kottapuram has one of the biggest vegetable markets in Kerala. It is located close to the town of Kodungallur. The Kollam-Kottapuram national waterway III ends at Kottapuram. It has been built near to the Kottapuram bridge.

History

The area of Kottapuram played a vital role in the Indian Ocean trade perhaps from 9th, 10th century CE onwards.^[1]

In olden times, the ancient port of Muziris was believed to be in Cranganore area. The site of Pattanam near Cranganore was recently excavated and identified as Muziris.

Muziris was the main port for entering to Kerala (known as vanchi). Thiruvanchikkulam was the capital of vanchi rajiam. It is near to Kottapuram Fort.

According to legend, during AD 50's, St. Thomas the Apostle came here through this port.

The first Muslim mosque in India, build by Cheraman Perumal from the request of Malik, son of Dinar, is located near the Fort.

Kottapuram is a common place name in the Indian state of Kerala. The word Kottapuram means 'the place around a Fort' (Kotta means Fort). Since there are many fortresses in Kerala, the state has many places with a similar name. This particular place gets its name from a fort constructed by Portuguese in 1503. Only relics of the fort is seen as it was destroyed by Zamorin as well as Tipu sultan. The fort is known as Cranganore Fort. The fort is almost ruined now.

Notes

1. KOTTAPURAM EXCAVATIONS/ MUZIRIS HERITAGE PROJECT devapriyaji.wordpress.com

Gallery

Relics of the Cranganore fort built by the Portuguese on the shores of the Kottapuram River

monument erected by govt. of Travancore

Relics of the cranganore fort - explosive store room

St. Micheal's cathedral