Home
Update your browser to view this website correctly.
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.
Thrissur is a city situated in the centre of Kerala state, India. It has a population of around 5.2 lakhs. It is an important cultural centre, and is known as the "cultural capital" of Kerala. The name Thrissur is derived from "Thiru-Shiva-Perur", which literally translates to "The city of the Sacred Siva:. In ancient days, Thrissur was known as Vrishabhadripuram as well as Kailasam (Mount Kailas, the abode of Lord Siva in South). From very early times Thrissur has been a centre of learning. With the decline of Buddhism and Jainism due to the growing supremacy of Brahminism and the revival of Hinduism, Thrissur became an important centre of Sanskrit learning. It is believed that the great Hindu Saint, Adi Shankara, was born in answer to the prayer made by his mother at Vadakkunnathan temple. Sankara's disciplesHastamalaka, Thotaka, Padmapada and Sudhachara established four Madhoms (mutts) in the city, namely the Northern Madhom, the Middle Madhom, the In - Between Madhom and the Southern Madhom respectively.
Other festival of this city "Puli Kali" (Tiger Play) and "Kummatti" (Mask Dance) that form part of Onam celebrations, the national festival of Kerala (Aug-Sept). They consist of enthusiastic processions of men painted and made-up as tigers, all members of different clubs that organize the event. Thousands gather to watch the 'tigers' dancing to the beat of drums. Kerala Sahithya Academy, Sangeetha Nataka Academy and Kerala Lalithakala Academy (State Academies of Literature, Fine Arts and Theatrical Arts) are head quartered at Thrissur making the epithet 'cultural capital of Kerala' really significant. The internationally acclaimed Kerala Kalamandalam, a state academy for the promotion of classical arts is also situated at Cheruthuruthy, around 30 kms from Thrissur town.
Chiras (small lake / large pond) - Erattachira(Double chira). Earlier it was "southern chira" covering a wide area. After the completion of small road connecting mission quarters to "puthenpetta" ( 5 lamps) it become erattachira . One far end of Pattalam and other one eastern side. The present Sakthan vegetable market was the first one and the second one was present manorama traffic island and the west end of "Ikkandawarrier road" Eastern chira was filled by natural erosion and part of it was turned to paddy field and Pattalam chira was filled by municipal authorities in early 1960's Western chira and Northern chira are still there. But adjacent to Northern chira there was another chira "kachery chira" ( theendary chira) (kachery means office) where present North Bus stand is built. There was east fort and west fort in thrissur but there are few "kulams" (ponds)surrounding the town. Kannankulam (south), Achenkulam (south west) changarankulam (west) kuttan kulam (north west) and keeramkulam(east). The surrounding places turned "kara" viz "kannamkulamgera". keeramkulengara etc.
Pattalam - A company of British army was stationed near the northern side of the "erattachira Siva temple" for some years. Hence the name Pattalam road and Pattalam. These army men (most of them were south Indians) used to take drill at the vacant space near present stadium and the British caption was staying at near by bungalow. This ground was called as "aniparambu" and the bungalow was called "aniparambu bungalow" which is the present Ramanilayam old block. Most of these jawans were Muslims and they practiced "pulikali"(mask dance) inside camp during their festival. Of course there were local help. This was the origin of "pulikali"
The present town hall was built at then famous "hanigton park", near aniprambhu Sakthan Thampuran(1751-1805) invited few tamil brahmins and they settled at "ponganam"( pookunnam) and started textile business. The commencement of Sitaram Textile Mill gave a facelift to this area. Sakthan also brought 64 Christian families from suburbs (kattoor, kallor, chettupuzha etc) who settled at thrisuur town. (family names ending "karan" may be denoting were a they came from ) That settlement turned a business center called "puthenpetta".( anjuvilakku - 5 lamps - high road). The "Friday market" was famous and commodities are traded here and shipped to various places through "Aranattukara" port. Aranattukara was 24*7 port at that time. During the tenure of Diwan Sankunnimenon, a new canal was built (puthen thode) and the present "vanchi kadavu" near poothole (west to railway line near to goods shed) was formed. Gradually it turned to a mini port.
The corporation office was built in "vandipetta" (parking place to bullock cart) to "havalock" (the main market of thrissur that time) market. The arch shaped entrance to market and near by chowka (police station) was there till early 60's. This was demolished and "jaihind market building" was constructed.
The first multi storied building was3 storied "nadakavukaran buiding" (the corporation building at hospital-high road corner?). There was only one church in thrissur town - the chaldian Syrian church. The Lourdes and New church was built latter. The model girls high school was "Victoria Jubilee Cast Girls School". The CMS School was at mission quarters. The round south was the only business area and the rest were residential area. Pazhaya Nadakkavu mostly Bhramins Naduvilal to naikanal and Model high school to Paramekkavu (with round about) mostly Nair houses. There were two peepul trees (alumaram) in naduvilal and the road was in between. There was a peepul tree in front of Thiruvambady temple at the center of the road.
Night Mares: In northern round about in front of the present banerji club there was a "kanjiramaram" and thara. It was a "yakshi thara" as per legend. however pedestrian avoided this area after 8 p.m till 1940's.
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.
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)
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.
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 brilliant spectacle when lit.
The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deit.
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
Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral is situated in the heart of Thrissur town in the state of Kerala, South India. The exterior of this church features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The Centenary of this church was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur in 1986. The well decorated underground chapel of the Cathedral is a major attraction. The Cathedral church attracts thousands of pilgrims every month.
Our Lady of Dolours Basilica is a minor basilica of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Thrissur City in the Indian state of Kerala. The third tallest church in Asia, it is famous for its Gothic style architecture. Built in fine Indo-Gothic style with an area of 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2), it has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one. It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures.
Palayoor is famous for its Christian church, St. Thomas Church which is founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD. It was the first Christian Church in India. St. Thomas, the Apostle, arrived in 52 AD at Crangannur {now Kodungallur} with Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ’s message and through the sea route reached Palayoor in 52 AD and built the Church here. Palayoor also had an ancient Jewish settlement known as the Jews' Hill.
Government Medical College Thrissur, established in 1982 is one of the leading centres in medical education in Kerala, India. Kerala University of Health Sciences began functioning in the campus in 2009. Spread over an area of more than 250 acres (100 ha), it is located in the serene surroundings of Mulagunnathukavu (M.G Kavu) 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) away from Thrissur.
Amala Institute of Medical Sciences is a private medical college near Amalanagar, in Thrissur city, of Kerala state. It is a Christian minority institution established and administered by the Devamatha Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), an indigenous religious congregation founded in 1831. At present Amala is home to a Medical College, College of Nursing, Nursing School, Super Speciality Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Cancer Hospital, Cancer Research Centre, Ayurvedic Hospital & Research Centre, a Homeopathic Hospital and Research centre, a Pharmacy Production Unit and Bethanygram (A home for the aged).
Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute is a private medical college located at Thrissur in Kerala, India. The establishment is administered by the Jubilee Mission Hospital Trust, a charitable organisation under the Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur.
The Lulu Convention Centre is located at Puzhakkal, in Thrissur city of Kerala state. The 5,000-seat convention centre was built by EMKE Group of Industries. Some of the interior architecture was by Evolution Interior Architecture. The convention centre is spread across an area of 18 acres (73,000 m2) with a built-up area of 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2) and has been divided into both indoor hall and open-air auditorium, with dining facility for 2,000 guests at a time. The convention center is the largest in Kerala and the second largest in India. It has 5 venues for conferences, which can accommodate from 450 to 2,200 people. A 5-star Hotel (the Garden Hotel) is also present on the site. It features an amazing parking for 1800 cars and also has an exclusive Helipad.
Lulu Convention Centre 6 kilometres away from Grace guest homes.
Thiruvambady Convention Centre is located at Marar Road in Thrissur city of Kerala state. The convention centre was built by Thiruvambady Devaswom, that manages day-to-day administration and functions of Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple, Thrissur.
Thiruvambady Convention Centre 4 kilometres away.
This is a very clean and well maintained beautiful fully Air conditioned Marriage Hall (Auditorium) owned by Thiruvambady Devaswom, Trichur. It has a seating capacity of 800, with a dining capacity of about 250.
Kausthubham Auditorium 3 kilometres away.
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.
Located on the Town Hall Road, the museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Mondays and national holidays.
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.
The Government Engineering College Thrissur is an engineering college situated in Thrissur city of Kerala, India. It is the second oldest engineering college established in Kerala and the first engineering college to be established after the formation of Kerala state. The college is affiliated to the University of Calicut. In 2009, LiveMint (online news portal) rated GECT among the top 50 government engineering colleges in India. Further, the college was awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification from the Indian Registry of Quality Systems in 2012.
Situated 2 kms from Thrissur town, it is open from 9.00am - 05.00 pm on all days except Mondays.
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.
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.
(7 km from Thrissur) The Children's Park on this beautiful hillside picnic spot offers amusement rides. It remains open from 07:00 am until 07:00 pm.
(5.5 km from Thrissur) Sobha City is an integrated township in Thrissur City of Kerala state of India. It was launched on May 13, 2007 on the Thrissur-Guruvayoor highway. The township is built on a 55-acre (220,000 m2) area. The township is located in 55 acres of land in Puzhakkal, a suburb in Thrissur City. It is the first integrated township in Kerala state to build. It has a crescent shaped, man made lake covering 6.5-acre (26,000 m2) with a 10 kilometre walkway around the lake. On one side, it is covered by Puzhakkal River and an irrigation canal and on the other, paddy fields. The township has 18 lakh sq ft of residential space and over five lakh sq ft of commercial space.
(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.
(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 programs are also arranged.
The foremost Muslim mosque in India is in kodungallore. The earlier names of Kodungallur were musris, muchiripattanam, shingali, kodumkaliyoorr etc. Besides the main temple - Sree Kurumbha bagavathy temple - mele thali,kezhe thali, nediya thali and ara thali - temples were also here in Kodungallur. Musris was "Nalanda" of kerala and biggest sea port of this continent. When muslims requested a place for worship the Chera king Perumal gave ara thali temple to them. The deity was shifted to adjacent "Thiruvanchikulam" temple . That deity is called "arathali thevar". Muslim's built the first mosque in India at the original ara thali temple.
(65 km from Thrissur) This 80 foot high waterfall at the threshold of the Sholayar ranges is a popular picnic spot.
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.
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.
Onam is a festival celebrated in Kerala, India It is also the state festival of Kerala with State holidays on 4 days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the 3rd Onam Day. The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the commemoration of Vamanaavatara of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. In Kerala, it is the festival celebrated with most number of cultural elements such as Vallam Kali, Pulikali, Pookkalam, Onathappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc. Onam is reminiscent of Kerala's agrarian past, as it is considered to be a harvest festival. In Onam 2016, Thiruvonam date is 14 September.
Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala's rice harvest festival and the Festival of Rain Flowers, which fall on the month of Chingam, celebrates the Asura King Mahabali's annual visit from Patala (theunderworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the Hindu people of Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honour of King Mahabali that Onam is celebrated. The deity Vamana, also called Thrikkakarappan is also revered during this time by installing a clay figure next to the floral carpet (Pookalam).
Puli Kali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam), performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur district of Kerala. Best place to watch the show is at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills. The festival attracts thousands of people to the Thrissur city. Pulikali is also performed during various other festive seasons.
