Thrissur

Thrissur

Thrissur is the cultural and spiritual centre of Kerala, offering an array of festivals, historical and natural sights as well as religious experiences. The district, fed by the Periyar, Chalakudy, Karuvannur and the Ponnani rivers which all flow from the Western Ghats to meet the Arabian Sea, is interspersed by waterfalls, dense forests and isolated beaches. Thrissur offers a wide choice of natural, cultural and religious places to explore. Among the natural locations stands the 80 ft high Athirapilly Waterfalls, 63 kms from Thrissur in the Sholayar ranges. Just 3 kms further, near the dense forests along the Chalakudy river is the Vazhachal Falls. You could also visit the largest elephant park in the world at Punnathurkotta Elephant Sanctuary with its elephant race and feast for elephants.

Sightseeing in Thrissur

Sakthan Palace
Named as Vadakkekara Palace, was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutch style in 1795 by Sri.Ramavarma Thampuran of the erstwhile Princely State of Cochin, well as Sakthan Thampuran(Greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty) is preserved by Archaeological Department.

Museum & Zoo
The Kerala State Museum and Zoo is located at Town Hall Road in Chembukavu, 2 km from Thrissur railway station. Established in 1885, the museum is spread over an area of 5.5 hectors of land. The museum complex includes an Art Section with a collection of sculptures, religious idols, Kathakali figures, traditional jewellery of the state and traditional lamps. Besides the Art Museum, a Natural History Museum displaying sample collection of different animals, a Zoological and Botanical Garden are located in this compound. It is open all days at 10.00 am to 5.00 pm except Mondays.

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy
Established on April 12, 1938, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy aims for the enrichment of Indian arts and culture such as traditional dance, music and drama. This regional theatre with all modern facilities is located close to the Sahitya Academy.

Kerala Lalithakala Academy
Lalithakala academy was established in1962 with the aim of promoting sculpture, painting and visual arts. It is situated few meters away from Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Regular workshops, artist's camps and exhibitions are being conducted here.

Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Academy was established to promote the growth of Malayalam language and literature. Located near Town hall, the academy was inaugurated on August 15, 1956 by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former king of Travancore. The academy houses a library with a good collection of books and has two sections ; i,e general section and research section. The center works in co-operation with the Kerala Sahitya Academy in New Delhi.

Vilangankunnu
This hillock has been converted by the tourism department as an amusement park. While grown ups relish the scenic splendor from the hill top. Children can relax and play to their hearts.

Kerala Kalamandalam
The famous art school, Kerala Kalamandalam is located at Cheruthuruthy on the banks of Bharathapuzha at a distance of 29 km north of Thrissur. It was founded in 1930 by the Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in order to promote Kerala arts likes Mohiniyattom and Kathakali. The school follows the gurukulam system of training and is a center for teaching traditional music, drama, Ottam thullal, Koodiyattam and Panchavadhyam. Besides regular courses the school also offers crash courses. Visitors are allowed to watch training sections from 4.30 am to 6.30 am, 8.30 am to 12 noon and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. The school is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It remains closed in the months of April and May.

Punnathur Kotta
Punathurkotta is very unique in being the largest elephant park in the world with over 60 elephants. All of them are donated by the devotees of Guruvayurappan. The elephant race and the feast for elephants are a few of the unique features. There are elephants of all ages including very small elephant to old ones.

Chavakkad Beach
A sea shore for rare scenic beauty. Acknowledged as one of the best beaches along the west coast. Unaltered by modernization and laced on the borders by an array of coconut palms.

Things to do in Thrissur

Visit Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Shakthan Thampuran palace, located in the heart of Thrissur city near the Vadakkunnatha temple, is only 2kms from Thrissur railway station. The palace, now preserved by the Archaeological Department, highlights several interesting and outstanding attributes of the former rulers of Cochin. A highly structured museum with different galleries like Bronze gallery, Sculpture gallery, Epigraphy gallery, gallery for Household Utensils, Numismatics gallery, History gallery and Megalithic gallery is another specialty. An archeological garden is situated at the northeastern part of the palace.

Picnic to Vilangan Kunnu
Vilangan Kunnu is a beautiful green hillock located 5 km from the city premises. It is a popular picnic spot and recreation center among the youngsters. The hill gives a panoramic view of the whole city from the top. On top of the hill there is an open space where one can relax and enjoy the view. The whole hill is covered with thick bushes. There is a park here with amusement rides, which is specially designed for children.

Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary
The Peechi wild life sanctuary stretching an area of 125 Sq.km was established in1958. It is a trekking friendly area. More then 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants are there in the sanctuary in addition to 25 species of mammals, over 60 species of birds and 10 species of reptiles and snakes. Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Spotted and barking deer are seen frequently here. There are frequent private buses from Thrissur to Peechi.

Walk on the Beach
A sea shore for rare scenic beauty. Acknowledged as one of the best beaches along the west coast. Unaltered by modernization and laced on the borders by an array of coconut palms.

Kerala Kalamandalam
The famous art school, Kerala Kalamandalam is located at Cheruthuruthy on the banks of Bharathapuzha at a distance of 29 km north of Thrissur. It was founded in 1930 by the Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in order to promote Kerala arts likes Mohiniyattom and Kathakali. The school follows the gurukulam system of training and is a center for teaching traditional music, drama, Ottam thullal, Koodiyattam and Panchavadhyam. The two main attractions of Kalamandalam are the 'Koothambalam' ( the traditional temple theater) and the art gallery. Koothambalam, also known as 'natyagriha' is built according to the principles of Natyasaastra. The art gallery exhibits statues of Kathakali and other art forms. Here is a museum named Vallathol Museum, which exhibits the poetic works and contributions of the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. There is also a portrait gallery that exhibits the portraits of great artists, mementos and honors received by the institution.

How to reach Thrissur

Nearest bus stations: Thrissur has both private and KSRTC bus stops in the town itself.
Nearest railway station: Thrissur, in the town itself
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 55 km away