Thrissur

• Population: 275100 98 km from Cochin
• STD Code: 0487

Thrissur with its rich history, cultural heritage and archeological wealth, Thrissur is called the cultural capital of Kerala. Named after Lord Shiva, from ancient times this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India.

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 Sakhtan Thampuran was the architect of the present Thrissur town.

The Vadakkunnathan Kshetram, where the reigning deity is Lord Shiva, is on a hillock in the heart of the town. Magnificent murals here explain the epic of the Mahabharata. This temple is famous for its spectacular celebration of the Pooram festival.

A cultural centre, the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located here.

PLACES TO VISIT

Thrissur has numerous other temples including
Paramekkavu Kshetram dedicated to Bhagwati or Durga
and the Thiruvambadi Temple which is dedicated to Lord
Krishna.

This bustling town has a splendid Lourdes church with a large and imposing interior. The State Museum and the zoo, both enclosed within the same area, are the other attractions of Thrissur..

Twenty-three kms away from Thrissur is the picnic spot, Peechy dam. Wild tuskers are seen on the forested banks of the wildlife sanctuary.

Tiruvilluamala shrine, Kerala's most important temple dedicated to Lord Rama, is 29 kms from Thrissur.. Another temple dedicated to Lord Rama, the Triprayar Temple is south of Thrissur. It has exquisite wood carving and sculptures.

40 kms south-west of Trichur is Kodungalloor which has India's oldest mosque, Cheraman Jama Masjid. This place also has the ancient Shiva temple, Thiruvanchikulam kshetram and Kodungalloor Bhagawati kshetram. The first Jewish settlement in India was in Kodungalloor (known as Cranganore, that time). St. Thomas the Apostle landed here in AD 52.  

Kerala kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, the foremost institution imparting training in the classical arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam and Mohiniattam, is situated on the main road from Thrissur to Shoranur.

Guruvayur, known as the Dwaraka of the South is just 29 kms away from Trichur.

Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala and is supposed to have been founded by Parashurama. The temple is also referred to as the Rishabhadri or Thenkailasam, which means the Kailash of the south. There are many shrines inside the temple. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva (Destroyer). There are shrines dedicated to Vadakkunnathan (Shiva), Sankara Narayana, Ganesha (God of Wisdom), Ayyappa, Krishna (eighth incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver) and Rama (hero of the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana). One of the shrines is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara (fordmaker), Vrishabha. The devotees offer a thread from their clothing as a symbol to cover the saint's nakedness. There are several idols that look like those of the Buddha, or the Enlightened One.

The Pooram festival is celebrated in the month of Medam (April-May). The festival is marked by colourful processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants sent for the event from various neighbouring temples. No stone is left unturned to get the best of elephants and the most artistic parasols, so that each temple’s display could turn out to be the most impressive. Some of the very attractive processions are those that start from the Thiruvampady and the Paramekkavu temples. The festival attracts large crowds. It is also followed by a colourful display of fireworks.