Thrissur - The cultural capital of Kerala  is in the central region of Kerala with rich history, culture and archeological remains. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India. This former capital of Kochi State was captured by the Zamorin and later by Tippu Sultan in the second half of the 18th Century.

The history of Thrissur district from the 9th to 12th centuries is of the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram and the history after the 12th century is of the rise and growth of Perumpadappu Swarupam. The 14th and 15th centuries constituted a period of aggressive wars by which the rich Zamorins of Calicut (Kozhikode) acquired a large part of the Thrissur district.
In the subsequent centuries the European powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and the English dominated the scene. In 1790 Raja Rama Varma popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran ascended the throne of the State of Kochi and was the architect of present Thrissur town.

The famous Pooram festival is celebrated at the Vadakkumnathan temple every year during April-May. The Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located here.

Web sites on Trichur-     Trichur.com  Trissur.com  Thrissur.com

Places of interest

Vadakkumnathan Temple :
This temple is one of the most ancient temples of the state of Kerala. There are many decorative wall paintings and historically important pieces of art in the temple. It is a classical example of the Kerala Style of architecture. The pooram festival in the Vadakkumnathan temple is celebrated annually in April-May. Non-hindus are not allowed inside the temple. Paramekkavu temple and Thiruvampady temple are equally famous temples nearby.

 
Archaeological Museum :
Also known as the Kollengodu House, this majestic hall houses a picture gallery with mural paintings from all over Kerala. This museum is situated on the Town Hall road. The entry time is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and other National holidays.

Art Museum :
Art museum is in the Zoo compound. There are good collections of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days except Mondays.

Shakthan Thampuran Palace :
Also known as Palace Thoppu, the campus covers an area of 6 acres. Here you can see three shavakudeerams (tombs) including that of the renowned Shakthan Thampuran.

Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur is one of the most important and holiest pilgrim centres of Kerala, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the Countury. The main attraction is a temple dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna known as 'Guruvayurappan'. The temple is built in the typical Kerala temple style. There are two entrances for the temple. The Kizhekke Nada or the Eastern entrance and the Patinjare Nada (Western enterance). In the 'chuttambalam' (outer enclosure of the main temple), there are two small temples for sub deities Lord Sastha and and Bhagavathy. The 33 meter high golden 'kodimaram' (flag mast), is also located in the chuttambalam. The entrance to the Nalambalam or the inner sanctum lies just beyond this. The walls of the nalambalam are decorated with arrays of small oil lit lamps, which is a splendid spectacle when lit in the evenings. Within the Nalambalam are ten finely carved pillars on two raised platforms one on either side of the passage. Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, an ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan, sat here, while composing 'Narayaneeyam', a massive Sanskrit poem of 1,036 slokas (verses). The walls of the 'sreekovil' (sanctum sanctroum) is decorated with mural paintings and the roof is gold covered. The idol of Guruvayoorappan is carved out of 'pathalanjana sila', and is decorated with jewels and golden ornaments.

 
Irinjalajuda Koodal Manikyam Temple :
This temple is situated 10 kms. away from Irinjalakuda railway station and 21 kms. away from Thrissur. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the brother of Sree Rama. It is the only temple in India with Bharatha as the deity. The colourful annual festival with thirteen caparisoned elephants is held for eleven days in April/May every year. Festivals in this temple marks the end of the Hindu temple festival season in Kerala. There are frequent private and state buses to Irinjalakuda from Trichur and this temple is just one km. away from Irinjalakuda private bus stand. There is a tourist bungalow at Irinjalakuda and there are midrange hotels too.

Zoo :
There is a zoo at Thrissur which is situated 2 km. away from the town. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days except on Mondays.

 
Town Hall :
This is an imposing building with a Picture Gallery where mural paintings from all parts of Kerala are exhibited.

Aquarium
Near Nehru Park there is an aquarium and the entry timing is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Vilangankunnu :
This is a beautiful hill situated 7 km. away from Thrissur. It is a good picnic spot.