Cosmography and Geography in Early Indian Literature c8.s1.23

c8.s1.23

55. There is another place at the mouth of this river, the village of Bacare (probably modern Porakad near Aleppey), to which ships drop down on the outward voyage from Nelcynda, and anchor in the roadstead to take on their cargoes; because the river is full of shoals and the channels are not clear. The kings of both these market-towns live in the interior. And as a sign to those approaching these places from the sea there are serpents coming forth to meet you, black in colour, but shorter, like snakes in the head, and with blood-red eyes.