Kodinhi, a village in Kerala's Malappuram district, is famously known as the 'village of twins' with over 400 pairs of twins.
Situated in Kerala, Kodinhi is surrounded by backwaters on 3 sides and is home to around 2000 families.
The twin phenomenon in Kodinhi is significantly higher than the national average, with 45 twins per 1,000 births compared to India's 9 per 1,000.
In 2008, Kodinhi had 280 pairs of twins, a number that has since grown, highlighting an increasing trend in twin births.
A sign at the village entrance welcomes visitors to "God's own country of twins," reflecting the community's pride in this unique characteristic.
Research teams from various institutions have studied the phenomenon, collecting saliva and hair samples to understand the high twin birth rate, yet no definitive conclusion has been reached.
Some theories suggest genetics, environmental factors, or diet might contribute to the high rate of twin births in Kodinhi.
The discovery of Kodinhi's twin phenomenon gained attention when twins Femeena and Sameera noticed an unusually high number of twins in their school in 2006.
The Twins and Kin Association in Kodinhi supports twins and their families, showcasing a strong community spirit.
The phenomenon of twin births in Kodinhi have started 3 generations ago, around 60 to 70 years back, and is considered a 'medical marvel' by local doctors.