Kerala Tourism - Thrissur

Thrissur, meaning 'town with the name of Lord Siva', is regarded as the cultural capital of Kerala. An important religious and cultural centre for centuries, Thrissur was occupied by the kingdoms of Kochi from 16th to 18th century. It features one of the largest temple in Kerala, the Vadakkumnatha Kshethram and is the site for renowned Pooram Festival.







The district is famous for its numerous ancient Temples, Churches, and Mosques and "Pooram" festivals. Thrissur Pooram is one of the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala.Thrissur, with its rich history, cultural heritage and archaeological wealth, is the cultural capital of Kerala. The town is famous for its Pooram festival. Thrissur and Pooram, (the festival of festivals with an unmatched pageantry of a hundred drums, dozens of caparisoned elephants and brilliant fireworks) are so inseparably integrated that the extravaganza of Pooram, excites you in the same breath when you hear the name of Thrissur.








¤ Tourist Attractions of Thrissur

* The Thrissur Zoo
Thrissur has a zoo just 2 km from the town. The 13.5 acres of the Zoo house a variety of animal and bird-life.

* Aquarium
There is an Acquarium close to the Nehru Park which is open between 03.00 and 08.00 pm

* Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum is located the Town Hall Road.

* Art Museum
The art museum in the Zoo compound has a wide range pf collections of wood-carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. It is open from It has a collection of lamps of traditional Kerala.

* Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Shakthan Thampuran Palace, also known as Palace Thoppu which is spread over an area of 6 acres. The enclave has three tombs (Shavakudeerams) including that of Shakthan Thampuran, the greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty.

* Anakkayam
Anakkayam is famous for its cool lake and placid waters. It is around 20 kms from Chalakudy on the Sholayar Peringalkuthu route. The place got its name as a herd of elephants which used to visit the place quite often got drowned in this lake. The rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams make the place a visitors paradise.

* Peechi Dam
Peechi Dam is an irrigation project site, 23 km from Thrissur offers boating facilities at the reservoir as well. Built across the Manali River, the dam is in the vast rain-catchment area of nearly 3200 acres with extensive botanical gardens and cascading fountains offering numerous avenues for tourists.

* Peechi Vazhani Wild life Sanctuary
The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary comsisting of the dense, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests is situated next to Peechi and Vazhani dams.

* Soochipara Waterfalls
Soochipara Waterfalls is at a location, 2-km walk into the dense equatorial forest of Wayanad.

* Punnathur Kotta
This home of temple elephants offers unusual spectacles of the gentle pachyderm. Those interested can visit this elephant hostel.

* Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls
The beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal are located to the east of Chalakudy, near the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, 5 km apart to each other. The distance to Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls is 65 kms from the Thrissur Town. Athirapilly Waterfalls an eighty - foot high waterfall at the threshold of the Sholayar ranges is a spectacular picnic spot. Vazhachal Waterfalls which lie just a short drive from Athirapally, closer to dense green forests as a part of the Chalakudy river is another popular geographic beauty.

* Cheruthuruthy
Cheruthuruthy is the seat of Kerala Kalamandalam, the world-renowned Kathakali Training Centre. It was Vallathol Narayana Menon the famous poet, who founded this music and dance academy which imparts training in Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Thullal and other traditional art forms. The centre is hence rightly considered the state's flagship training school for dance, drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala. Cultural Fiestas are also arranged occasionally. The travel distance to Cheruthuruthy is around 32Km.

* Saint Thomas Memorial
St. Thomas, the Apostle, is believed to have first landed in India through Kodungalloor( formerly called Muziris) in 52 AD. The St. Thomas Church he founded there now houses ancient relics.
Vadakkumnathan Temple Guruvayur Temple, Koodalmanikyam Temple,

* Thriprayar Temple
Thrissur is famous for its temples like Vadakkumnathan Temple Guruvayur Temple, Koodalmanikyam Temple and Thriprayar Temple.

* Kerala Kalamandalam
This important academy of arts 32km north-east of Trissur at Cheruthuruthy was founded in 1930 by the late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and his associate Manakkulam Mukunda Raja.

* Koodal Manikyam Temple
This temple is dedicated to Bharata, the loyal and selfless hero and strong supporter of Rama. The diety 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.

* Vadakkumnatha Kshethram
Vadakkumnatha Kshethram temple sits atop a hill in the centre of Thrissur. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathi, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathi, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. Thissur Pooram, the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April every year. Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

* Guruvayoor Kshethram
The Hindu-only Sreekrishna Temple at Guruvayoor,33km. north of Trissur, is one of the most famous in Kerala. The temple's 40-plus elephants are kept at nearby Punathur Kota.

* Thrissur Pooram
The most colorful as well as spectacular festival of Kerala is Thrissur. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). People from all over the world are visiting Thrissur ot view this festival of colors. The festival is noted for its fire works and the exchange of umbrellas by so many elephants decorated wonderfully.