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Termed as the first of its kind in India, due to its nature and extent of preservation, the first phase of the Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) was given the official nod by the government recently at a function held in Kodungallur. The site would be preserved and function with prominence for cultural tourism in Kerala, which is already a tourism Super Brand from India. The function was attended by state ministers, senior government officers, experts and representatives of various agencies involved in the project.
According to the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, “This is another milestone in establishing Kerala as a quality tourist destination where responsible tourism is practiced in letter and spirit.”
Sharing his thoughts on the Muziris heritage project, the Finance Minister, Dr. T.M. Thomas Isaac said that the government has clear and detailed understanding of the heritage preservation project, which will be realized in a meticulous manner and by adhering to international standards.
“It is going to be a valuable asset in the heritage wealth of Kerala. Not only are we preserving this time tested heritage, but also are sharing the same with the rest of the world; elevating the status of the region into a hub of cultural tourism in Kerala,” said Dr.Venu V., Secretary, Kerala Tourism.
Some of the tourism oriented highlights of the heritage site are circuit and timeline tours, culture tours, series of museums, backwater cruise, visitors’ centre and a host of amenities that would combine well to promote infotainment.
A land that once used to have trade contacts with Rome, Greece, China and Persia almost slipped into oblivion, had it not been for the timely intervention of the Kerala Government. Known as Muziris in its hey day, the region today popular as Kodugallur straddles across the borders of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of central Kerala.
Muziris once had a thriving port in the first century BC and was the gateway for various religious faiths like Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others. Cargo vessels from West Asia, Mediterranean and East Africa used to drop anchor at the Port of Muziris. St.Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ is believed to have set foot in Kerala through the Muziris port and so did the Islamic missionaries. It is here that India’s first church, Mar Thoma Church and the first mosque, Cheraman Juma Masjid, are located.
The Muziris port underwent a tragic incident some time around the middle of the 14th century in a massive flood and resultant silting triggered by the river Periyar. Since the 15th century, the region began to come under the influence of foreign powers, starting with the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch and the British.
The ambitious heritage-preservation-cum-tourism project, now moving from the conceptual to the implementation stage has already prepared a preliminary action plan. A special interdepartmental coordination arrangement is being put in place to take the initiative forward.
Heritage conservation is the primary objective of the project and identified monuments would be preserved. Integrating them to the cultural tourism map of Kerala would result in a new product for Kerala Tourism. The tourism circuit is expected to act as a catalyst to boost the local economy and would lead to the development of infrastructure like waterways, roads, sewerage, drinking water and power supply. People’s participation would be a key factor in the project and they would have a crucial role to play at various levels.
