THRISSUR DISTRICT

THRISSUR CITY

 Vadakkumnathan Temple – Shiva temple, one of the largest in Kerala.

   Shrines & Koothambalam (temple theatre) have exquisite vignettes carved

  in wood. Houses a museum of wall paintings, wood carvings & art pieces.

 Is the venue of the famous Pooram festival celebrated in April-May, which

includes procession of decorated elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas.

Archaeological Museum – Picture gallery of mural paintings from all over Kerala.

 Art Museum – Collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery.

 Vilangankunnu Hill (7 km) – Picnic spot atop a small hill.

 Arattupuzha (12 km south) – Known for the annual Pooram festival during March – April.

     Deities of 46 temples from neighbouring villages are brought at night on caparisoned

    elephants accompanied by music to the local temple of Lord Sastha.

   Thriprayar Temple (South of Thrissur) – Rama temple with exquisite wood carvings,

    sculptures and mural paintings. Temple festival in November with parade of 17 elephants.

GURUVAYOOR (31 km) – 16th century Sree Krishna or

Guruvayoorappan Temple. Walls of sanctum have exquisite mural

paintings & carvings. 33.5 m high gold plated dhwajasthambham (flag post)

adorns outer enclosure. 7m high dipasthambham (pillar of lamps) with 13

circular receptacles provides a gorgeous spectacle. Narayana Bhattathiri

composed ‘Narayaneeyam’, at this temple. Popular venue for Hindu

weddings & annaprasanams. Festival (Feb/March) - elephant processions.

Punnathoorkotta (2 km from Guruvayoor) – Visitors can see the trained elephants of

the Guruvayoor temple here.

Koodal Manikyam Temple near Irinjalakuda (21 km) – Ancient temple, only one in India

with Bharatha (brother of Sree Rama) as deity. 11-day annual festival with 12 caparisoned

elephants is held in April/May.

Cheruthuruthy (32 km) – Seat of Kerala Kalamandalam, a music and dance academy

founded by poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in 1930. Imparts training in Kathakali,

Mohiniyattam, Thullal and other art forms. Also arranges cultural programmes on request.

PEECHI-VAZHANI Wildlife Sanctuary & Peechi Dam (20 km) – Dam site is a picnic spot

with boating facility in the reservoir. Botanical garden & cascading fountains.

St. Thomas Church at Palayur, Chavakkad – One of the oldest churches in India,

originally supposed to have been built by St. Thomas in A.D. 52.

CHIMMINI Wildlife Sanctuary – Sanctuary headquarters is at Echippara. Endowed with

scenic beauty and varied wildlife. There is a dam across Chimmini river.

KODUNGALLOOR (Cranganore) (50 km southwest) – Coastal port town of immense

historical importance. Ancient centre of trade with Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs.

St. Thomas Memorial Church – St. Thomas landed here in 52 A.D. This church

established by him houses ancient relics.

Cheraman Juma Masjid – Originally believed to be built in 629 A.D. First juma masjid in

India and the second in the world. A local king Cheraman Perumal is believed to have

gone to Mecca, embraced Islam and got an existing temple in Kodungalloor converted

into a mosque. The present building dates from the 16th century and is designed in Hindu

architectural style. The mosque faces east, unlike other mosques, which face Mecca.

ATHIRAPALLY (63 km) and Vazhachal waterfalls (68 km) – Two scenic waterfalls on the

edge of Sholayar forest range, 5 km apart. Athirapally falls joins Chalakkudi river after

plummeting 80 ft. This is a popular picnic spot. Dream World and Silver Storm amusement

parks are nearby. Vazhachal is part of Chalakkudi river & is amidst dense forest.