It is the headquarters of Irinjalakuda Revenue Division, Thrissur Rural Police and Mukundapuram Taluk.

[2] The earliest recorded history of this temples date back to the ninth century of Common Era (CE).

[3] Irinjalakuda can be derived from 'iru njyaala koda' (ഇരുഞാലകൊട) i.e., donation of two worlds, which is what Mahabali is said to have done in the story of the Vaamanaavataaram.

According to Keralolpatthi, Irinjalakuda was the head of some of the 64 gramas (village governing bodies) established in Kerala.

[3][4][5] Another legend suggests that the origin of the name Irinjalakuda were traditionally associated as "Irunnu Salayil Koodai" and "Virinja Alu Kuda".

A huge Banyan tree still stands in the centre of the Irinjalakuda, spreading its branches to the sky like an umbrella.

The Thachudaya Kaimal is a spiritual dignitary of Kerala Hindus and the temporal ruler of the Koodalmanikyam Temple and its Estates.

The Arms of the Kaimal and that of the temple bear the insignia of a coiled conch shell with the words 'Manikkam Keralar'.

[6] With the 26th amendment of the Indian constitution in 1971, the Princely order in India was abolished and the Thachudaya Kaimals lost their position in the temple and its estates.

[1][2] The Devaswom was allotted land to accommodate institutions such as the Christ College, and for public use to facilitate development activities in the region.

The Malayalam script text of these documents was published in the Bulletin of the Ramavarma Institute Volume IX Part 1 and became an authoritative proof of the temple's antiquity.

Five more properties were added to Mukundapuram Taluk afterward: Kodassery (Chalakudy), Thirumukkulam (Kuzhur), Koratty (Adur), Pathinettarayalam (Edavilangu).

Irinjalakuda has a rich cultural history associated with the UNESCO-recognised classical dance form Koodiyattam.

Government-aided Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam near Koodalmanikyam temple trains artists in Kathakali.

The town also has other institutions that give training on classical dance forms and theatre arts.

Its St. Thomas Cathedral is the episcopal see of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Irinjalakuda (Chaldean = Syro-Oriental Rite).

(See Varthamanapusthakam of Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, Gobernador and ArchaDeacon of late eighteenth century).

Sakthan Thampuran brought four Christian families for improving commerce and trade to the place known as ‘Chanthappura’.

As the second-most important administrative town in the district, Irinjalakuda houses a large number of government offices, most of them situated at the mini civil station and its annex buildings near Porathissery.

KSRTC bus services are available to state capital Trivandrum, Ernakulam/Vyttila Hub, Kottayam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Munnar, Mananthavady, Perikkallur, Sulthan Bathery, Perinthalmanna, Pala, Mysore, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Thanjavur and Velankanni.

For those travelling from southern parts of the state, Chalakudy is the major roadhead to proceed towards Irinjalakuda.

For travellers from northern Kerala, buses are available from Thrissur Shakthan Thampuran private bus stand.

Thrissur railway station is the nearest major railhead with stop for all trains, which is just 22 km from Irinjalakuda.

[10] Irinjalakuda Sorting (Railway Mail Services) also functions at Kallettumkara in the premises of post office.

There are daily trains available from Irinjalakuda to Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Vijayawada, Nagpur, Pune, Tirupati/Renigunta, Warangal and Salem.

Another prominent healthcare facility is the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR) at Kallettumakara.

The neighbourhood of Irinjalakuda is home to three cashew processing factories, located at Pullur, Muriyad, and Aloor.