Kaññirakkodu (Malayalam:കഞ്ഞിരക്കോട്) is the capital and second largest city in South Kerala, the first being Nortriya. It is located at the centre of the State of Chelapattanam, though it has it has its own National Capital Territory of the same name. It stands on the Rajrendrathasal River which flows into the Andaman Sea, the closest cities are Bhelkapuram to north and Kazhikkota to the east. As of 2024, the city population of Kaññirakkodu is 200,980, while the metropolitain population was little more with 202,120. Kaññirakkodu has a size of 444 km². Its density being 455/km², second most densely populated, the most densely populated being again Nortriya. On the 27th of December, the capital of South Kerala was renamed from Syndabatiam to Kaññirakkodu, due to controversies of the former name. Kaññirakkodu can also be written as Kannyirakkodu, as the letter 'ñ' does not appear on the standard keyboard.

Etymology
The word 'Kaññira-' (കഞ്ഞിര) is the Malayalam word for the Salix Keralea (കഞ്ഞിരം) a type of willow tree which is native to the central Chelapattanam region. A common name in English for this tree is the 'Keralite Willow'. The suffix '-kodu' derives from the Malayalam word 'kotta' (കോട്ട), overtime it slowly changed into '-kodu'.

History
The place probably started out as a bunch of grass huts.