Thrissur is an important town of Kerala. Known as the "cultural capital" of Kerala, Trichur is known for its rich historical and traditional heritage. Your Trichur travel will be an experience that you shall not forget easily for the rest of your lives. Trichur was an important place even in the ancient politics of the state. Tourism in Trichur / Thrissur is catching up as it is very easy as the place is easily accessible by air, rail and roads. Located in the center of Kerala, this place is easily reachable from anywhere in Kerala.

Trichur has many interesting places to see. The most famous of them all is the Guruvayoor temple, which is a very famous pilgrimage center in India. Also visit the Kodungalloor pilgrimage, which is famous for its various worship centers in Kerala. Apart from these, one can visit the Archeological museum and the Shakthan Thampuran Palace built by the famous Raja Rama Varma.

For adventure seekers, the Peechi Vazhani wildlife sanctuary should be as good as icing on the cake. Apart from these places, also check out various places of excursions around Trichur. So come and visit this beautiful town of Kerala that shall be engraved in your memory forever.

Attractions:

Town Hall

For a sight of mural paintings from all over Kerala, visit the Town Hall, an imposing building with an art gallery or `Chitralayam`.

Zoo

For the animal enthusiasts, Thrissur boasts a zoo, 2 km from the town centre. Within the 13.5 acres of the compound live a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, species of birds and deer. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Rat Snakes.

Art Museum

Within the zoo compound is the small Art Museum which has a good collection of wood carvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures, and ancient jewellery. There is also a wonderful collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

Vadakkunnathan Temple

This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architectrue. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, 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.

Anakkayam

Anakkayam is roughly 20 kms from Chalakudy on the Sholayar Peringalkuthu route, famous for its lake with cool and placid waters. The place got its name from a herd of elephants which used to visit the place quite often and the legend goes that the place got its name because some elephants had been drowned in this lake. The place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.

Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls

East of Chalakudy, near the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, are the beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 km apart.

Irinjalakuda

At Irinjalakuda, 21 km from Thrissur is a temple of Bharatha, probably the only temple in India dedicated to the brother of Lord Rama.

Peechi Dam

Peechi Dam, 23 km from Thrissur is an irrigation project site which offers boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Triprayar

The Rama Temple at Triprayar, 25 km away, features architecture similar to the Vadakkumnathan Temple

Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalaman-dalam)

North of Thrissur, 29 km away near the Shoranur Railway Junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala`s Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.

Guruvayur

Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32 km away. It is among India`s most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of me South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that the temple was created by Guru-the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu-the lord of the Winds.

The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem `Narayaneeyam`.

The temple is renowned for its healing powers. Several offerings are made to the deity here from the simple `Archana` (offering of flowers) to the expensive and elaborate `Udayastamana` pooja or Thulabharam` where a devotee is weighed against offering of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts. Not surprisingly Guruvayur is the site for several weddings and Annaprasanam`, the first feeding ceremony of child.

Punnathur Kotta

Near Guruvayur, 2 km away, is `Punnathur Kotta`, the place where the temple elephants (numbering over 40) are taken care of. Nowhere else can so many elephants be seen at any one time. Visitors are allowed.

Access:

How to Reach Thrissur by Air: The nearest airport is Nedumbassery, which is only 58kms away from the town. Another major airport near Thrissur is Kochi.Several public and private airlines connect the place from important cities in Kerala and India.

How to Reach Thrissur by Road: An extensive road network links the city to many significant places in southern India.

How to Reach Thrissur by Rail: It is an important railhead in southern India. Several important trains connect Thrissur with other places in Kerala and neighboring south Indian cities.