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Thrissur,
with its rich history, cultural
heritage and archaeological
wealth, is rich in cultural
activities.
 From ancient times, this
district has played a
significant role in the
political history of south
India. Thrissur, the name
derived from 'Tiru-Shiva-Perur'
(the town with the name of Lord
Shiva) is the cultural capital
of Kerala.
Its most prominent feature is
the Vadakkumnathan Kshethram or
temple, which has Shiva as its
presiding deity. Many rulers and
dynasties beginning with the
Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu
Sultan of Mysore and Europeans
including the Dutch and the
British have had a hand in
moulding the destiny of this
region. Raja
Rama Varma, popularly known as
Sakthan Thampuran was the
architect of the present
Thrissur town.
Today, Thrissur is world famous
for its Pooram Festival, which
is one of the biggest festivals
of Kerala. Built around a
hillock top, Thrissur houses the
Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala
Sahitya Academy and Kerala
Nataka Academy.
IRINJALAKUDA UTSAVAM
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Temples |
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Vadakkumnathan Temple
One of the oldest
temples in the state,
the Vadakkumnathan
Temple is a classical
example of the Kerala
style of architecture
and has many decorative
murals and works of art.
This is the venue of the
world famous Pooram
festival, celebrated
annually in April- May.
The fireworks at the
Pooram are a spectacular
sight. Non-Hindus are
not allowed inside the
temple. (Open: 04.00 -
10.30 am & 05.00- 08.30)
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Arattupuzha
The Pooram Festival at
the village temple in
March/April features a
ceremonial pageant of
over 60 tuskers carrying
the images of the
deities of 23
neighbouring temples.
Arattupuzha temple is
open 05:00 - 09:30 am &
05:00 - 07:00 pm. |
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Museums |
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Art Museum
Located in the zoo
compound, the art museum
displays collections of
woodcarvings, metal
sculptures and ancient
jewellery. Open 10.00 am
- 05.00 pm on all days
except Mondays.
Archaeological Museum
Located on the Town Hall
Road, the museum is open
from 10 am to 5 pm on
all days except Mondays
and national holidays. |
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Wildlife |
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Peechi Vazhani
Wildlife Sanctuary
Peechi Vazhani
Wildlife Sanctuary The
Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary
comprising of the dense,
moist deciduous and
semi-evergreen forests
is situated in the
catchment area of the
Peechi and Vazhani dams. |
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Others |
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Zoo
Situated 2 kms from
Thrissur town, it is
open from 9.00am - 05.00
pm on all days except
Mondays.
Town Hall
Houses the picture
gallery where mural
paintings from all parts
of Kerala are on
display. Aquarium: Close
to the Nehru Park. Open
03.00 - 08.00 pm.
Peechi Dam
20 km east of Thrissur,
this picnic spot offers
boating facilities.
There are frequent
private buses from
Thrissur. Built across
the Manali River, the
dam is a vast catchment
area of nearly 3200
acres with extensive
botanical gardens and
cascading fountains
offer numerous inviting
avenues for tourists.
Vilangankunnu
(7 km from Thrissur) The
Children's Park on this
beautiful hillside
picnic spot offers
amusement rides. It
remains open from 07:00
am uptil 07:00 pm.
Christian Divine
Retreat Centres
They are located at
Muringoor and Potta near
Chalakudi, on the Kochi
- Thrissur route. |
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Cities |
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Guruvayoor
29 km northwest of
Thrissur, Guruvayoor,
where the famous Sree
Krishan Temple is
situated, is one of the
most sacred and
important pilgrim
centres of Kerala. The
historic temple is
shrouded in mystery.
According to belief, the
temple was created by
'Guru'- the preceptor of
the gods and 'Vayu'- the
god of winds.
The eastern 'nada' is
the main entrance to the
shrine. In the
Chuttambalam (outer
enclosure) is a 33.5 m
tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham'
(flagpost). There is
also a 7-m high 'Deepastambham'
(pillar of lamps), whose
thirteen circular
receptacles provide a
truly brillant spectacle
when lit.
The square 'Sreekovil'
is the sacred sanctum
sanctorum of the temple,
housing the main deity.
Within the temple, there
are also the images of
Sree Ganapathy, Sree
Sastha and Edathedathy
Kavil Bhagavathy. Only
Hindus are allowed
inside the temple. (Open
03:00 am - 01:00 pm &
04:30 pm- 08:30 pm)
Punnathoorkotta
(2 km from Guruvayoor)
This home of 50 temple
elephants offers unusual
spectacles of the gentle
pachyderm. Brought as
ritual offerings to the
temple, these elephants
are groomed at this
fort. Visitors are
allowed into this
elephant hostel.
Cheruthuruthy
(32 km north of Thrissur)
Cheruthuruthy is the
seat of the Kerala
Kalamandalam, renowned
the world over for its
Kathakali Training
Centre. This music and
dance academy was
founded by the famous
poet, Vallathol Narayana
Menon. Training in
Kathakali, Mohiniyattom,
Thullal and other
traditional art forms is
imparted here. Cultural
programmes are also
arranged. |
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Waterfalls |
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Athirapally
Waterfalls
(65 km from Thrissur)
This 80 foot high
waterfall at the
threshold of the
Sholayar ranges is a
popular picnic spot.
Vazhachal
Vazhachal Waterfall (68
km from Thrissur) Just a
short drive from
Athirapally, this
picturesque waterfall is
close to dense green
forests and is a part of
the Chalakudy river.
Athirapally and
Vazhachal are the most
famous waterfalls of
Kerala that attract
tourists in plenty. |
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Forts & Palaces |
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Shakthan Thampuran
Palace
Also known as Palace
Thoppu, the campus
covers an area of 6
acres. Here one can see
three tombs (Shavakudeerams)
including that of
Shakthan Thampuran, the
greatest ruler of the
Cochin dynasty. |
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Aarattupuzha Pooram
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Kodungaloor Bharani
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Macchattuvela
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Thrissur Pooram
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Air
Nearest
international
airport is at
Nedumbassery, 58 kms
away.
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Rail
Thrissur is an
important railhead
of the Southern
Railways.
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Road
The place is well
connected with
almost all the major
towns and cities of
India.
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