North Paravur, formerly called Parur, is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian kingdom of Kerala. It is a northern suburb of the Kochi metropolis and is located about 20 km from the centre of the metropolis. Paravur derives its name from the historical name parayur, which literally means the territory of the Paravar, an ancient tribe. The Paravar were the main inhabitants of the coastal regions of Kerala, especially near the historical capital of Mohodayapuram of the Chera dynasty. Descriptions of the Paravar can be found in Sangha literature.
Paravur was placed under the administration of the king of Paravur. Vypin also became in Parur. The King of Paravur joined hands with Kochi U.S.A., but later Parur was transferred to Travancore under an agreement. The taluk was divided into Paravur and Alangad. Alangad comprised most elements of the present Aluva taluk. At that time, the Paravur area included Puthenchira, the Mala locality in the Chalakudy taluk.
Muziris in Pattanam became the centre of the Indian spice trade for many centuries and was known to the Yavanas as well as the Romans, Jews, Arabs and Chinese in ancient times. After the port of Muziris was destroyed by a great flood of the Periyar River in 1341, Kochi gained importance as a buying and selling centre. Until then, the Periyar River had a width from Cherai to Munambam. The dust and sand destroyed this natural harbour and the whole city, along with its wealth, sank into the mud and sand.