Thrissur Tourism - Cultural Capital of Kerala

Guruvayoor Temple (Guruvayur Temple), the most renowned temple of the state, the presiding deity of this temple is lord Vishnu as Krishna. The earliest available temple records date back to the 17th century. But the literary texts and legends indicate that the temple is about 5000 years old. At the time of the conclusion of his incarnation as Krishna, lord Vishnu told his devotee and minister ‘Uddhava’ that his image idol would come floating in the sea which would soon engulf Dwaraka. Uddhava requested Brihaspati (Guru of the Gods) to install the image at a suitable place.

Once the property of Punnathur Rajas, Punnathurkotta is now allocated for elephants. This 11 acres of land is now home to more than 60 elephants. Punnathur fort was purchased by the Guruvayur Devaswom Board in 1975 to house all the elephants of the temple in a comfortable surrounding. Here, one can see majestic tuskers of different ages and sizes grazing in a lushly green garden. All the jumbos seen here are the offerings made by devotees to lord Krishna. This fort complex consists of a 500 year old palace constructed by the erstwhile local rulers....

Mammiyoor Temple, a Shiva temple known for its beautiful paintings and the exquisite sculptures, every visitor to Guruvayur Krishna temple usually adds this temple too, because of the inter connecting legend. The idol of Sri Krishna of Guruvayoor temple first adorned a big temple in Dwaraka installed none other than by lord Krishna himself in the Dwapara Yuga. During Swargarohana, lord Krishna handed over the idol to Uddhava to have it installed in a sacred place with the help of Brihaspati, the guru of the Devas and Vayu, the Wind God....

In an area of 3.5 hectares, this 1000 year old Vadakkunnathan Shiva temple features classic Kerala architecture with monumental towers on all sides. Though there are differences in the story of the origin of this temple, the very accepted common fact is that the temple was founded by lord Parasurama. Parasurama exterminated one community twenty one times. In order to clean himself and balance his karma, he performed a pooja at the end of which he gave away all the land to the priests who arranged it. He needed some land for his own penance and requested the lord of the oceans ‘Varuna’....

Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, situated very near to the Vadakkunnathan temple more than 1000 years old, this Paramekkavu is one of the grandest Bhagavathy temples in Kerala. It is one of the two groups participating in the famous Thrissur Pooram (other being Thiruvambadi temple group) festival. One elder member of an aristocratic Nair family of Kuruppal Tharavad was an ardent devotee of Bhagavathy used to visit this place regularly. On the last visit to this temple due to old age, he made heavy gratitude of his inability to visit her anymore....

One of the two leading groups (the other being Paramekkavu temple group) that participate in the Thrissur Pooram, the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple is one of the most popular Krishna temples in Kerala. The constant chanting of the Bhagavad Gita lends an even more spiritual feel to the temple. The legend goes that a local administrator of one particular area of the 16th century was referred to as ‘Moose’. At that time, a girl belonging to the Moose family fell in love with a young man of another religious belief....

There are no written scriptures which could establish the exact date of the construction of this Thriprayar Temple or any other incidence. The legend is that during the incarnation of lord Vishnu as Krishna, he had the idols of lord Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana and Shatrughna in his town Dwarka. After his duty on his incarnation was over, the city of Dwarka was engulfed by the sea and these idols got submerged. One day while fishing in the sea at Thrissur, the idols were caught in the net of the fishermen. They had seen a flash of light emanating from the idols and were astonished....

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, also known as Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy temple dedicated to Goddess Kaali located at Kodungallur, this is one of the grandest and ancient temples in Kerala. Situated in the middle of about 10 acres of land, the temple's surroundings are extremely scenic by banyan and peepal trees. According to the legends, it was Bhadrakali, who killed the evil demon Daruka. Legend has it that the temple was once a Buddhist monastery during the Chera period, especially during the rule of one Palliband Perumal....

This region was the capital of Chera dynasty ruled here till the 13th century. The ancient seaport town Musiris and Kurumba Bhagavathy temple are the first things one notices in Kodungallur. This Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple is believed to be built by Cheraman Perumal, a legendary Chera king. It has the oldest reference in history in Tamil Sangam literature. Shiva is worshiped as Mahadeva and his consort as Umadevi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars....

The majestic Sholayar forest ranges give way to the charismatic Athirapally & Vazhachal Waterfalls. They both join the Chalakudy river plummeting down from 80 feet. These waterfalls are the favourite destination for many and it continues to attract many tourists year round. The journey from the plain surface to the falls passes through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. Visitors can reach the top of the waterfall through a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters....

Sakthan Thampuran Palace is situated in the town and was the royal residence of the kings of Cochin. It is a famous tourist attraction because of its historical value that spreads in 6 acres of land. Popularly known as Vadakkekara Palace, its heritage value dates back to the time of the Cochin king Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran. He was an able administrator who maintained good relations with neighbouring provinces and the colonisers. His period (1790-1805) of rule is known as the golden era of the kingdom of Cochin....

Founded in 1930 by renowned Malayalam poet Padmabhooshan ‘Vallathol Narayana Menon’, Kerala Kalamandalam is a dignified name in the field of Kerala arts. It is located on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in the Cheruthuruthy village. It is strictly a residential center of learning. It was the time when Kathakali, the traditional dance form of Kerala, was steadily losing its popularity in the early 19th century. The great poet was quick to realize the need of keeping the dance alive. In his efforts, he got the help of some royal Kathakali enthusiasts like Kunjikuttan Thampuran and M. Mukundaraja....

Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours in Puthanpally is famous for the fact that it is the biggest church in India and is the 3rd tallest church in Asia. In an area of 25000 square feet, it is built Indo-Gothic style. It has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles and eleven altars. The parish and original church building were established in the year 1814. It was a center for Saint Thomas followers in this area for decades. The construction of this biggest church in India was done in different phases that started the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet high and the central tower of 260 feet high....