Azhikode is a coastal village in Thrissur district of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. The nearest towns are

Kodungallur Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thr ...

and Paravoor. Azikode is a part of Kodungallur taluk. Azhikode has a beach known as the munakkal beach. It has got the vast shore stretch around 3 km along the main beach side. It is the main attraction of this village. The main economic activity is fishing.

History

Azhikode was one of the major ports that linked Kerala to international trade and commerce. First church in India in the name of St. Thomas, who came here for the propagation of Christianity, is situated here. It is here where St. Thomas the apostle of Christ landed. The Cristian community of India had its inception here. St. Thomas is traditionally believed to have sailed to India in 52AD to spread the Christian faith among the

Jews Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

, the Jewish diaspora present in Kerala at the time. He is supposed to have landed at the ancient port of

Muziris Muziris ( grc, Μουζιρίς, Old Malayalam: ''Muciri'' or ''Muciripattanam'' possibly identical with the medieval ''Muyirikode'') was an ancient harbour and an urban centre on the Malabar Coast. Muziris found mention in the ''Periplus of ...

(which became extinct in 1341 AD due to a massive flood which realigned the coasts) near

Kodungalloor Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thr ...

. He then went to

Palayoor Palayūr, also called Palayoor and historically as Palur, is a town near Chavakkad, Thrissur district, India. It is famous for its ancient church, Palayur Mar Thoma Church, which is believed to be one of the seven major churches founded by Sa ...

(near present-day

Guruvayoor Guruvayur () is a municipal temple town in Thrissur District, of Kerala State in India. It is a suburban town of Thrissur city, located from Thrissur towards the north-west. It houses the Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple. It is located at ...

), which was a Hindu priestly community at that time. He left Palayoor in AD 52 for the southern part of what is now

State, where he established the ''Ezharappallikal'', or "

Seven and Half Churches 7 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 7 or seven may also refer to: * AD 7, the seventh year of the AD era * 7 BC, the seventh year before the AD era * The month of July Music Artists * Seven (Swiss singer) (born 1978), a Swiss recording artist ...

". These churches are at

Kollam Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...

Niranam Niranam is a village in Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. It was a port in ancient Kerala, on the confluence of the Manimala River, Manimala and Pamba River. It is almost 7 km from Tiruvalla SCS Junction in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala, lies t ...

(Niranam St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Nilackal (

Chayal Nilakkal (), also spelled Nilackal, or formerly Chayal, is a remote ghat region located in the Goodrical range of Ranni forest division in Pathanamthitta District in the Indian state of Kerala.Nearest Railway Station Is Thiruvalla,Located At A ...

Kokkamangalam Kokkamangalam also known as Gokkamangalam is a village in Alappuzha district of Kerala state, south India. It is situated in between Cochin and Kumarakom and on the western shore of Vembanad Lake, 5 km east of the town of Cherthala, which ...

Kottakkavu Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Church is a Syro-Malabar church located in North Paravur. According to Saint Thomas Christian tradition, the church was established in 52 AD by St. Thomas (Mar Thoma shleeha), one of the twelve apo ...

(Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithancode Arappally – the half church. According to Indian Christian tradition, St. Thomas landed in

in AD 52, in the company of a Jewish merchant Abbanes (Hebban). There were Jewish colonies in Kodungallur since ancient times and Jews continue to reside in Kerala till today, tracing their ancient history.

Transportation and Occupation

Azhikode Old harbour situated on the shores Periyar(Kottapuram) river joins Arabian sea, in Kodungallur Taluk. Azhikode was repeatedly eroded by tsunamis. The port that was situated in the old harbour was an important source of trade and commerce prior to British invasion. Azhikode is well connected by a series of canals. The famous Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple and Cheraman Juma Masjid is around 10 km away from this place. Fishing and tourism are the main sources of revenue in this region. Traditional boats are still used for fishing in this area. Chinese fishing nets are still deployed for fishing. This region also has abundant cultivation of coconut. Shrimp cultivation is another major industry that contributes to the economy in this region

References

{{reflist Villages in Thrissur district