Kerala is full of surprises — lush backwaters, serene beaches, and age-old traditions. But tucked away in Malappuram district is something even stranger, something that makes you rub your eyes in disbelief. Welcome to Kodinhi village, better known as the twin village of India. Here, walking down a narrow street often feels like stepping into a hall of mirrors. You greet someone… and moments later, bump into their identical sibling.
Globally, twin births are rare — about 4 in every 1,000 deliveries. Yet in Kodinhi, that number soars to over 45. That’s more than ten times the average. For a sleepy agrarian village, it’s an extraordinary claim to fame — and one that science has yet to explain.
A village where life comes in pairs
Situated about 30 kilometers from Calicut, Kodinhi village looks like any other part of rural Kerala — tiled roofs, coconut groves, banana trees, and winding lanes. But one thing sets it apart: more than 400 pairs of twins live here, across just 2,000 families. Nearly every household knows the confusion of mixing up school bags, tiffin boxes, or even names. Teachers complain of attendance nightmares, and parents admit to often calling the wrong child. What might feel like a prank elsewhere is everyday life in Kodinhi.
When did this begin?
Old-timers in Kodinhi recall that the twin phenomenon started only about three generations ago. Before that, births were unremarkable. But since then, twins have been arriving with astonishing frequency. The pattern isn’t restricted to the village itself either. Women born in Kodinhi who move away — to Kochi, Mumbai, or even overseas — often continue to give birth to twins. Clearly, the mystery is carried within them, not just in the soil or water.
Twins across the world
Kodinhi isn’t alone in its curious claim. Igbo-Ora in Nigeria also reports unusually high twin births, often linked to a yam-rich diet said to influence ovulation. In Cândido Godói, Brazil, researchers point to a limited gene pool among German settlers. Yet Kodinhi doesn’t fit these patterns. There’s no special diet, no history of inbreeding, and no clear environmental factor. It seems to stand apart — a genetic puzzle still waiting to be solved.
What science has found — and hasn’t
Over the years, scientists have tried everything: analyzing DNA samples, checking hormone levels, even studying local soil and water. Some theories suggest that dietary elements may affect follicle-stimulating hormones, increasing the chances of multiple ovulation. Others believe a recessive “twin gene” may be quietly spreading through generations. Despite global attention, from BBC to National Geographic, there is no confirmed answer. Kodinhi remains an enigma — science’s favorite kind of unsolved riddle.
Growing up in the twin village
For the children of Kodinhi, being a twin isn’t unusual — it’s just normal life. School corridors echo with double laughter. Mischief comes in stereo. Twins swap seats, confuse classmates, and sometimes even fool teachers. Imagine being a headmaster here — calling roll numbers must feel like déjà vu. For the villagers, though, it’s routine. The extraordinary has blended seamlessly into the ordinary.
TAKA – A community of twins
In 2008, Kodinhi’s residents formed TAKA — the Twins and Kin Association. TAKA documents twin births, supports visiting scientists, organizes annual festivals, and advocates for the community’s needs. Their parades of identical pairs, contests, and photo sessions attract curious travelers and researchers alike. At the same time, TAKA works to ensure that outsiders see the villagers not as test subjects, but as partners in understanding a global mystery.
The challenges behind the curiosity
Despite the spotlight, Kodinhi village faces very real struggles. Healthcare access is limited, schools are modest, and government support remains patchy. While media crews come and go, everyday life for families still revolves around farming, household chores, and raising children — often two at a time. Locals hope the attention eventually brings more than curiosity: perhaps better clinics, research centers, and even tourism that benefits the village directly.
The mystery continues
Why does Kodinhi produce twins at such an extraordinary rate? Why here, and why now? For over two decades, researchers from across the world have come searching for answers. Yet the village continues to smile back with silence. For science, it is a cliffhanger. For the villagers, it’s simply who they are.
In Kodinhi, the extraordinary doesn’t shout — it walks hand in hand down a narrow Kerala lane. Until we truly understand the reason, the twin village of India gently serves that nature has its own rules, and sometimes, its own sense of humor.
