THRISSUR

Thrissur is known as the 'cultural capital of Kerala' because of its rich cultural heritage and hisory. The name Thrissur is derived from the word 'Thrissivaperur' which in local language means 'the town with the name of Lord Shiva'. The British called this region as Trichur and later in 1990 the name changed to Thrissur. The district Thrissur have a huge part in the cultural, commercial and religious development of the state. Thrissur have a strong and deep history that starts from early sangam era. Many rulers and dynasties ruled Thrissur beginning with Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sulthan of Mysore and Europians like Dutch, British etc. But the City gained its prominance under the rule of Raja Rama Varma (1790-1805) who is most commenly known as Sakthan Thampuran because of his enormous power to rule people.
The town is built on an elevated ground, at the top of which is the famous VADAKKUMNATHAN" Temple where the very colourful and vibrant Thrissur pooram take place. He reconstructed Thrissur after the distruction by Tipu Sulthans army. Thus Sakthan Thampuran is known as the architect of modern Thrissur town. He cleared a forest known as Thekkin kadu (locan language it means 'Teak forest' ) around the famous Vadakkum Natha kshethram and its been the heart of Thrissur town.

The town Thrissur is well connected by road and rail. The town lies 55 km far from Cochin International air-port and 80 kilometer far from Kozhikodu air-port. Thrissur railway station is an important railway station that connects the South India to rest of India through Trivandrum-Chennai and Trivandrum-Mangalapuram routes. KSRTC operates bus services to Thrissur from all important cities in Kerala and also interstate buses are available to reach Thrissur from Madurai, Chennai, Coimbathoor etc. The best time to visit Thrissur is September to March.

Thrissur city have a large number of historic temples such as Thiruvambady temple, Vadakkumnatha temple and Paramekkavu temple, the temples participates in the colorful Thrissur pooram. Thrissur pooram is a spectacular religious festival in South India and known as “mother of all Poorams” which brings thousands of people from around the world. Travel agencies operates appropriate packages for tourists so that they can enjoy the festival. In Thrissur city there are two well known churches, the Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral and the Our Lady of Dolours " New Church " Basilica. Its the highest South Asia. The famous Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur lies just 25 km from Thrissur town. And there are many historic temples like Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikkyam Bharatha Temple, Thiruvilwamala Villuadrinatha Temple etc.

Millions money is traded in this city under the name Gold and thats why Thrissur is Known as the Gold capital of India. All major jeweleries in Kerala have branches in Thrissur and 70% of manufacture of plain gold and rolled gold in Kerala happens in this city. Thrissur city is also an important center of garments made of Silk in Kerala. This city holds the record for the highest number finance companies as they exceeds 1000, both government and private. Three predominant scheduled banks in Kerala, The South Indian Bank, The Catholic Syrian Bank and Dhanalakshmi bank have their headquarters at Thrissur. Diamond polishing and Automobile tyre molding are the remaining industries that plays an important role in Thrissur economy.

Being a cultural center, the Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala Sahitya Academy, Kerala Lalithakala Academy and Kerala Sangeeth- Nataka Academy are located at Thrissur. Lulu international convention center is in Thrissur which is the second largest convention center in India and largest in Kerala having helipad facilities. The main places that attracts people in Thrissur are here.



Places of Attractions in and around Thrissur

1. Vadakkumnatha temple

Vadakkumnatha temple, lies at the heart of Thrissur town, is one of the oldest temples in Kerala where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. According to the lore the temple was constructed by Parasurama (The sixth incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu). The temple is a good example of Kerala style of temple architecture. A lot of decorative murals and artworks are there in the temple. The Vadakkumnathan temple is also known as Thenkailasam(Kailasam of South) and Vrishabhachalam.The annual festival of this temple falls at April and that is the world famous Thrissur pooram. The temple is surrounded by Thekkinkadu maithanam and its the main spot of Thrissur pooram. Non Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple. Time to enter the temple is 4.00 am to 10.30 am and then 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm.

2. Archeological museum

The Archeological Museum lies at the Town Hall Road, have a huge collection past remaining. The Museum tells us the story of a gorgeous ancient past. The Museum opens from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on all days except Mondays and national holidays.

3. Art Museum

Being the cultural capital of Kerala, the Art Museum displays a huge collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures, ancient jeweleries etc . It lies just beside of Archeological Museum in the Town Hall Road and it opens from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm except Mondays and National Holidays. The Town Hall houses the famous Picture Gallery in Thrissur which is decorated by an enormous collection of mural paintings from all parts of the country.

4. Zoo

Thrissur Zoo is a major attraction for students and children which holds a variety animals, lies 2 km far from Thrissur town. The Zoo open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm except Mondays.

5. Shakthan Thampuran Palace

The palace of Sahakthan Thampuran which is now preserved by the Archeological department is also known as Vadakkekkara Palace. The Palace was reconstructed by Sri. Ramavarma Thampuran in 1795 and it is a good example of Kerala-Dutch mode of architect. Here you can see the tomb of Shakthan Thampuran. The palace located in the heart of Thrissur town.The place situates close to the Vadakkumnathan temple and thats why it formerly known as the Vadakkechira Kovilakom.


6. Kerala Sahitya Academy

The Kerala Sahitya Academy situated at the town is established on August 15, 1956. Its goal is the development of Malayalam language and Malayalam literature in co-operation with Kendra Sahitya Academy. The main attraction in Academy is its huge Library which have two section namely General section and Research section.

7. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy

The place is located at the town which established on April 12, 1938. Its meant for the development of Kerala Dance, Music and Drama culture in collaboration with the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy in Delhi. A performing theater is here under the academy to foster such cultural activities.

8. Kerala Lalithkala Academy

The Academy is also situated in the town, is established in 1962, for promote the sculpture, painting, murals and visual arts culture of Kerala.

9. Appan Thampuram Smarakam

Appan Thampuran Smarakam Established in 1976 in memory of Sri Ramavarma Appan Thampuran who lived in the Kumarapuram palace. Ayyanthole just lies a few kms from Thrissur town and its the 52nd ward of Thrissur municipality. A Cultural Museum is also there.

10. Vilangan Kunnu

Vilangankunnu lies 7 km far from Thrissur and its a good picnic spot on a beautiful hill.

11. Arattupuzha

Arattupuzha is a cultured village is Thrissur district which lies 15 km far from the town. The famous Sree Sastha temple is situated at Arattupuzha and thats the annual festival here is known as the famous Arattupuzha pooram known as 'Devamela' (Union of Gods). The peculiarity of this festival is the procession carrying symbols of 41 deities of neighboring temples to the village. The temple is above 3000 years old.

12. Peechi Dam

Peechi Dam situated 20 km east of Thrissur town. It is built for the irrigation purpose and there is also a wild life sanctuary. Kerala Forest Research Center (KFRC) is located at this village. Boating is permitted in the dam.

13. Guruvayur

Guruvayur (Guruvayoor) is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centers in South India, because of ‘Bhooloka Vaikunta’, the Sree Krishna temple. It is the biggest temple in Kerala and the largest revenue earner in South India. The temple situates 29 km west of Thrissur town and easily accessible.The deity worshiping here is Lord Krishna in his child form (Balagopalan) and the devotees call him Guruvayurappan, which means ‘Lord of Guru and Vayu’. The name Guruvayur has the etymological meaning ‘The land of Guru Brihaspati and god Vayu’. The Guruvayur temple is also known as the ‘Dwaraka of the South’. The deity here is renowned for his immense healing powers. That’s why you can see huge queue in front of the temple everyday. Devotees offer various poojas to Lord Krishna which ranges from a cheap and simple Archana to very expensive poojas like Udayasthamana pooja, Chuttuvilakku, Krishnattam etc.
Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple. We need certain casuals to enter the temple. No shirt, trouser or churidar is allowed inside the temple. Men and boys need to wear White 'mundu' while women need to wear Sari and young girls need to wear long skirts. The Guruvayur town awakes at 3.00 am. It’s the time of Nada Thurakkal at the temple. The temple closes at 12.30 after the Uchapooja (noon worship) and reopens at 4.30 pm. Nada adakkal is at 9.15 pm, the time the town sleeps. The temple is a main venue for marriages in Kerala. Sometimes the marriage rate here increases up to 100 in a single day. Devotees believes that it is very auspicious to start the married life in front of Guruvayurappan.
The other main attraction at Guruvayur is the Punnathur kotta, an elephant camp under the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, where a minimum of 60 jumbos live. The Guruvayur devaswom board also runs a mural institute where mural art, especially temple art been taught.