Kodungallur, a historically significant town in Kerala, India’s Thrissur district, is located on the banks of the Periyar River on the Malabar Coast. It was formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris. National Highway 66 takes you 29 km (18 mi) north of Kochi (Cochin) and 38 km (24 mi) south of Thrissur. The port city of Kodungallur, located at the northernmost point of the Kerala lagoons, served as a vital point of entry for naval forces wishing to explore the vast backwaters of Kerala.