HEADLINES:  

INTRODUCTION

Thrissur situated on top of a hillock is a prosperous town noted for its old palaces, fort, temples and the famous Pooram festival. The actual meaning of the name Thrissur is the 'town with the name of Lord Siva'. This renowned town is also considered as the cultural capital of Kerala.Another highlight of Thrissur is the Pooram festival which is one of the biggest festivals of Kerala.

Various factors which attracts lot of tourists every year to Thrissur includes religious and spiritual locations, the natural scenic locations and modern artistically built water theme parks in and around the city. Tourism is one of the main revenue to the city and also acts as the lifeline of the city. The other major attention of tourist to this place is that it houses the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Nataka Academy. The second largest Police Academy in India is the Kerala Police Academy and is situated in Thrissur.

HISTORY

Thrissur was an important centre of Sanskrit learning during the supremacy of Brahminism after the decline of Buddhism and Jainism.Advaita was taught in Thrissur by Sankara Acharya who during his later period of life settled and died in this place. After Sankara Acharya's period his disciples Hastamalaka, Thotaka, Padmapada and Sudhachara built four Madoms in the city. It was during the period of Raja Rama Varma in 1790; Thrissur gained its glory and reached to a state of what we can see now.

It was also declared as the capital of the Kochi kingdom for a very short period. The Shaktan Thampuran palace is taken under the Archeological Survey of India and is been renovated. Similarly the place around the Vadakkumnatha temple was earlier called as Thekkinkadu with full of teak plantations. But now it is converted into a cultural and commercial hub of Kerala.

LOCATION

Thrissur on the south is bounded by Eranakulam and Idukki, Palakkad in the East, Mallapuram in the North and to its West is the Arabian Sea.Thrissur is situated in south western India 10.52° N 76.21° E and is in the central part of Kerala state, India.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Thrissur Pooram

The Thrissur Pooram festival is one of the major festivals of Kerala which is celebrated in the Vadakkumnathan Temple. It falls during the month of April-May. On the eve of this festival Gods and Goddesses from the different temples is brought to the Thekkinkadu Maidan in a grand display accompanied by drums and music. During this festival an all India Exhibition is held in the temple premises.

Kodungallur Bharani

This festival is celebrated for a period of eight days during March-April. Another important Festival is Kodungallur Thalapoli that falls on Dec-Jan every year. These two festivals draws a major tourist crowd from different parts of the country.

Koodalmanickam Utsavam

Koodalmanickam utsavam is held in the Koodalmanickam Temple and it goes for about 11 days during April-May. It is a temple dedicated to Sri Bharatha.

Arattupuzha Pooram

Arattupuzha pooram is one of the most colourful carnivals of Kerala which is celebrated in April-May every year.The celebration includes bringing of idols from 41 temples in the neighbourhood villages as a procession on rows of decorated elephants. It is believed that Arattupuzha was so called, because the deities, `Arat" in the waters of the Arattupuzha river.

Machattu Mamangam

Machattu mamangam is celebrated during the month of February in the Thiruvanikavu Temple for a period of five days. During the festival devotees bring richly decorated Poykuthiras or Horses in ceremonial processions as offering to the deity.

Feast & Fairs of Palayur Church

The Palayur church is supposed to be one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas which celebrates its feast on the 15th of July.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Kerala Kalamandalam

The Kerala Kalamandalam is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy and is supposed to be the centre for Kathakali training in India. This was founded by poet Vallathol in 1927 and has got the status of state's flagship training school for Kathakali dance drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala.

Peechi Vazhani Wildlife

The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary is an ideal place for weekend picnics which includes rare flora and fauna of about 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants. The other interests of the sanctuary is boating and trekking. It is situated in the catchments area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams.

Vadakkumnatha Kshethram

Vadakkumnatha Kshethram temple noted for its Kerala style of architecture is situated on top of a hill amidst the town of Thrissur.The presiding deities of this temple are Paramashiva, Parvathi, Sankaranarayana, Antipathy, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The other highlights of this temple include the exquisite portrait carved in wood in the central shrine and Koothambalam. It is here in Vadakkumnatha Kshethram the grand Thissur Pooram festival is held in the month of April. Entry to non Hindus is restricted here in the temple. The temple houses many mural paintings and art forms.

Churches

Some of the notable churches situated in the town of Thrissur are Lady of Lourdes Cathedral and Puhanpally Church.

Guruvayoor Kshethram

The Guruvayoor Kshethram located at a distance of about 33km. north of Trissur is one of the most famous temples devoted to Lord Krishna. Here also entry to the non Hindus is strictly prohibited. There are at least 40 elephants in this temple which is kept in Punathur Kota.

State Museum Complex

State Museum Complex is situated in the heart of the town at Town Hall Road in Chembukavu.It accommodates both the Kerala State Museum and Zoo which is one of the major attraction visiting the town of Thrissur.The State Museum which started in 1885 is spread over an area of about 5.5 acres and has an Art Section which exhibits collection of sculptures, handicrafts, traditional jewelries, religious idols, Kathakali figures and traditional lamps. The Complex also includes a Natural History Museum with exhibits of different animals, a botanical garden and a Zoological garden.

Triprayar

Triprayar is located on the banks of the Triprayar River and the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Rama.The architecture of the temple resembles to that of the Vadakkumnatha Kshathram.

Koodal Manikyam Temple

This temple is dedicated to Bharata, the loyal and selfless hero and strong supporter of Rama. The deity at the temple is said to embody the joy rapture experienced by Bharata, when he learned of reunion of Rama and Sita. It's believed that this is the only temple in India dedicated to Bharata and devotees claim miraculous cures from disease and ill health.

Athirappally - Vazhachal

The Athirappally waterfalls is situated close to the Sholayar forest ranges at a distance of about 62 Kms south of Trichur.It is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfall in Kerala.This cascading waterfall has lot of tourist coming throughout the year. There is another waterfall named Vazhachal just 5kms away from Athirappally waterfalls.

Shakthan Thampuran Palace

Shakthan Thampuran Palace sprawls over an area of 6 acres which belonged to Shakthan Thampuran, the greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty. The main highlight of this palace is its architecture with high roofs and Nalukettu and the floors done up with Italian marbles. Now the Palace has three tombs of which one is that of Shakthan Thampuran.

Heritage Garden

Heritage Garden is situated adjacent to the Shakthan Thampuran Palace which exhibit and preserve rare floral species of the state which mainly comes under the protected list. The natural setting of the heritage garden brings the values of Ayurveda and Siddha Schools of medicines. It is a must place to be visited.

Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple

Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple which has got records in history and folk arts belongs to the 10th century. It is supposed to be one of the biggest temple in the state devoted to Lord Bhagavathy, the other form of Lord Durga.This is also one of the place from where the famous Thrissur pooram festival procession starts.It is believed that Paramekkavu Bhagavathy come out from the temple and goes to Vadakkunatha temple to visit Lord Shiva.

SHOPPING

Thrissur is noted for variety of silks. This place known as the cultural capital of Kerala is famous for bell metal curios, brass work, textiles and gold jewelry. Most of the items in the shopping list are culture oriented. The silk materials in myriad hues are sure to attract the tourists and visitors. Artifacts made of brass are also popular for their intricacy and use in common everyday life.

Exquisitely crafted ornaments and embellishments in gold with in distinctly South Indian designs and alignments are also preferred by many. Some of the places where one can go in for shopping are Surabhi, Kairali or other government emporiums in Thrissur.Ambady Handicrafts near post office in Guruvayur is also a good choice for handicrafts. For Silk the best shops are Arakkal Silks in Vatanappilly Kandassankadavu and Grand Silks in Tokeyo Market.

GETTING THERE

By Air

The nearest airport is Nedumbassery, which is only 58kms away from the town. Another major airport near Thrissur is Kochi.Several public and private airlines connect the place from important cities in Kerala and India.

By Rail

An extensive road network links the city to many significant places in southern India.

By Road

It is an important railhead in southern India. Several important trains connect Thrissur with other places in Kerala and neighboring south Indian cities.