Kodungalloor, 50 kms north of Kochi, was the ancient port town of Muziris or Crangannore. Goddess Bhagavathi is the presiding deity of the ancient temple here. Cheraman Perumal, the last of the Perumals who were the earlier rulers of Kerala, embraced Islam in 826 AD. After renouncing Hinduism and partitioning his kingdom among his companions and relatives, he left on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The first Mosque in India is situated here.