North Paravur, formerly known as Parur, is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a northern suburb of the city of Kochi and is situated around 20 km from the city centre. It is also the first place in India to use electronic voting machine during the by-elections in 1982. The coastal highway NH-66 Panvel-Kanyakumari passes through this historic town. The National Waterway – 3 Kollam – Kottapuram passes through the west end of the taluk. Paravur is one of the 64 villages created by Parashurama. This town had been an old trading post, has a Jewish synagogue and had a thriving Jewish community before their conversion to Syrian Christianity in the first century and their resettlement in Israel after its establishment. Cochin Jews lived in the towns of Kochi and North Paravur. The various denominations of modern Saint Thomas Christians ascribe their unwritten tradition to the end of the 2nd century and believe that Thomas landed at Maliankara village in Paravur Taluk in AD 52. In AD 52 Thomas founded the churches popularly known as Ezharappallikal(seven and half churches). Two such churches are at Parur (Kottakkaavu) and Kodungallur.

History
Paravur derived its name from ancient name Parayur, which literally means the place of Paravar, an ancient tribe. Paravar were the major inhabitants of the coastal areas of Kerala especially near the ancient capital Mohodayapuram of the Chera dynasty. Descriptions about Paravar can be found in Sangha literature.
Paravur was under the administration of the Paravur king. Vypin was also in Parur. The Paravur king joined with Kochi country, but later Parur transferred to the Travancore area (1864) as part of an agreement. The taluk was divided into Paravur and Alangad. Alangad comprised most parts of present-day Aluva taluk. At that period Paravur area included Puthenchira, Mala area of Chalakudy taluk. Muziris was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Yavanas (Greeks) as well as Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times. Kochi rose to significance as a trading centre after the port at Muziris was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1341. It was told till that time the Periyar River had a width of Cherai to Munambam. The mud and sand destroyed this natural port and the whole City along with its wealth went below the mud and sand.

Chendamangalam a historical place is also in Paravur. Chendamangalam was the place of Paliath Achans who were the ministers of Kochi kings. Now there is a palace of paliath family in Chendamangalam. Chavara monastery is in Koonammavu. North Paravur municipality is one among the former municipalities in Ernakulam District. Today it is a populated residential town in Ernakulam district due to its historical importance. Gothuruth, an island in Parur, is the birthplace of the traditional Kerala art form of Chavittunatakam.

Economy
Paravur was once famous in the district for its traditional industries like coir, handlooms and agriculture. Now it is changing to a major residential suburb of Cochin where people looking jobs in city. The Eloor-Edayar industrial belt is in Paravur Taluk.

Geography
Paravur is located at 10.14° N 76.7° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 10 metres (32 feet). The town is situated at north end of Ernakulam district and bordering with Thrissur district. The towns in Thrissur district like Kodungallore, Mala, Chalakudy and the towns Kalamassery, Aluva, Angamaly, Vypin island are located near to this town. The Paravur Taluk lies in the flat delta region of the Periyar river and cut by several canals, which have resulted in the formation of many islands. The Kodungalloor Kayal (backwaters) and Varappuzha Kayal (backwaters) are in this taluk.

Educational Organizations

Sree Narayana Medical College, Chalaka
SNMIMT Engineering college, Maliankara
SNGIST Professional College, Manjaly
MES College of Engineering and Technology, Kunnukara
Holymatha College of Technology, Manakkapady
SNGIST Arts & Science College, Manakkappady
MES Arts and Science College, Kunnukara
Lakshmi College, Was one of the biggest parallel colleges once.
SNM Training College, Moothakunnam (Aided)
Sree Narayana Higher Secondary School, Pullamkulam, North Paravur
Infant Jesus Senior Secondary School,Kurumthottiparamb, North Paravur
Adarsha Vidya Bhavan Senior Secondary School, Nanthiyaattkunnam, North Paravur
MES Central School, Kunnukara and Eloor
D.D.S.H.S Karimpadam
Government Higher Secondary School (Boys), North Paravur
Government Higher Secondary School (Girls), North Paravur
S.N.V Sanskrit School Nanthiyattukunnam
Hindi Prachara Sabha, Alengad
St. Germains Zion L P School
Sree Narayana Arts and Science college, Kedamangalamalam

Places of Worship

Chendamangalam Holy Cross Church , built by the Medieval Christian Missionaries.
Nithya Sahaya Matha Church Chendamangalam.
Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple, Paravur, where there is normally a Prasad Lunch at least once a month during Nama Japam
Sree Venkitachalpathy Temple, Paravur, of which major devotees are GSBs
Dakshina Mookambika Temple North Paravur, an important Saraswathy temple
Kalikulangara Temple, Nanthiattukunam, Paravur, known for Thendu, administered by the Sivagiri Trust
Perumpadanna Mahadeva Temple, Paravur, undertaken by Kudumbi Samudaya Mahajana Sabha, N. Paravur
Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Kottayil Kovilakam
Kottakkavu Mar Thoma Syro-Malabar Pilgrim Church, North Paravur, founded by St. Thomas in AD 52
St. Thomas Church, North Paravur where the tomb of Mar Gregorios Abdul Jaleel is situated
Isha athu Sunna Juma Masjid, near Pvt Bus Stand, N. Paravur
Kattenellure Munavarsha Thangal Masjid Tattappilly
Thonniyakavu Bhadrakali temple, 
Mannam Sreesubramanya Swami Temple Mannam P.O., North Paravur
Sreekrishna Swami Temple Nandhikulangara, North Paravur
Makkanayil Mahadeva Kshethram, North Paravur
Kannankulangara Sree Krishna Swami temple, North Paravur
Palaril Bhagaathi temple, North Paravur
Chirapurath Sree Bhadrakali Temple, North Paravur
St Joseph Cottolengo Church, situated at Pallithazham
koodamkulam sree vishnumaheswara kshetram

Festivals

Paravur Mookambika Navarathri festival
Kalikulangara valiyavilakku fest
Moothakunam temple fest
Dukrana of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Chakkumarassery Temple Fest
The celebration of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Don Bosco Church North Paravur.
Perumpadanna Holi fest at Perumpadanna KSMS Mahadeva temple.
Mannam Thaypooyam Festival
Peruvaram Temple Fest

Places to Visit

Periyar branch: Paravur river
Chinese fishing nets in lagoons
Pattanam, Archeological site & tourism circuit
Kottayil Kovilakam
Chendamangalam, Vypeekotta Seminary
Mouth of Chalakudy River
Varappuzha Lagoon and bridge

Transport
KL-42 is the RTO code for Paravur Taluk, Vypin island and North Paravur. Paravur JRTO is situated at Perumpadanna. There is a KSRTC Subdepot, Private Limited Stop bus stand and a private bus stand in the town conducting services to many places in Kerala. There is frequent bus service to Ernakulam, Malabar from here. The nearest railway station is Aluva 16 km away. The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is about 20 km away from the town. There are frequent boat and ferry services on the nearby rivers and lagoons.
Source - Wikipedia [Mar 2021]