subject: Thrissur ,kerala,india [print this page] Thrissur is actually built around the hill (locally called Round) that this temple to Shiva is on. Though dedicated predominantly to Shiva, there are some shrines to Vishnu and a Jain saint. Open to non-Hindus only during Pooram, this temple is renowned for its richly carved timber roofs and the elaborate murals inside.
Visit the city in the months of April and May as the famous Thrissur Pooram Festival is celebrated with full vigour and enthusiasm. The sight of elephants carrying out processions around the temples with the image of deity is not to be missed.
Shopping
Local handicrafts are textiles, brass work, bell-metal curios and fabulously crafted gold ornaments. Thrissur also produces beautiful silks. The shopping areas are at the bottom of the temple hill, in the Round where you can easily pick some great Keralan craft pieces.
Events
The time to visit Thrissur is during the 8-day Pooram festival extravaganza in April-May. It has all the ingredients of Indian merrymaking. Bedecked elephants, bejewelled women and others join the procession to the temple accompanied by the booming rhythm of beating drums. Join the procession
to the Temple if you are in Thrissur during the Pooram festival. With fireworks, elephants, rolling drums and trumpeting, there is a lot of fun to be had. The Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy often hosts performances of classical music, theatre, and dance recitals. In August-September boat races are held during the Kerala festival of Onam . You can also check out unique mime form of Pulikali where people dress up as and imitate the tiger. Performances are held during this time.
Night Out
There are plenty of great places to eat at in Thrissur. The food is delicious and very easy on the pockets too! You can enjoy the typical Keralite meal, like a sadya, an elaborate feast, with rice served with many accompaniments such as sambhar, olan (white pumpkin in coconut milk)and avial (assorted
vegetable dish).Some of the good places to eat are Pathans Hotel, Sidhartha Regency and Luciya Palace amongst many others.
Activities
There''s plenty to do in Thrissur. Visit the temples, churches and shops that are the main attractions here. But the thing to really experience in Thrissur is the Pooram festival. Celebrated in the month of Medam (April-May), it is a riot of colours with loud fireworks and the highlight of the festival
being the elephant line up.
Sights
The Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the most important places in Thrissur. It is literally the centre of town- located on the top of a hill and all distances within Thrissur are measured with reference to the temple. Dedicated to Thrissur''s guardian deity, Lord Shiva, it is only open to
non- Hindus during the Pooram festival. The 12th century Vadakkunnathan Temple consists of an imposing walled complex containing fifteen shrines, many of them dedicated to other deities, including Vishnu and a few Jain saints. This beautiful temple with intricately carved woodwork, timber roofs and some old murals depicting the Mahabharata is a great place to visit. The most famous large church in Thrissur is the cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes . Built in 1875, the building is impressive, with a 140 ft steeple visible from anywhere in the city, 15 alters and the interiors of the church with a lot of mural paintings on the walls and ceilings. The Town Hall in an equally impressive building has an interesting collection of superb murals. The Archaeological Museum exhibits statues and models of temples. There is an Art Museum next to it that displays paintings, antique jewellery, and sculptures of the best kind. The Thrissur Zoo has a locally famous snake section but otherwise is quite a sorry place, the town Aquarium is more exciting and definitely more worth the visit.
How to get there by Air
The closest airport to Thrissur is the Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi. Kochi is approximately 79 kms and a 3 hour drive from Thrissur. You can hire a cab or take a bus from here to Thrissur. From Kochi to Thrissur is also an easy 2-hour train journey.
How to get there by Rail
There are trains to Thrissur from Kochi, Kozhikode (3 hours approximately), Chennai. Many run eastwards through the Palakkad Gap to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
How to get there by Bus
The state transport and privately operated services have separate bus stops. State transport has a larger network with buses plying from Chennai (13 hours), Thiruvananthapuram (8 hours), Kochi (3 hours), Kozhikode (3 hours), Kottayam and Palakkad (1 hours).
Best time to Visit
The best months to visit Thrissur are between October- February, you would have conveniently missed the terrible humidity in the summer months and the heavy rains. If you can brave the heat and humidity in April-May the 8-day Pooram festival is held. It is really worth visiting Thrissur during this
time.
Where to Stay
The River Retreat is a wonderful luxury property in Thrissur. Other good hotels are Casino Hotels and Krishna Inn both come under the mid range category. For simple budget hotels that provide just the basic amenities Hotel Merlin International and Hotel Luciya Palace are good options.
What to Pack
Don''t forget to pack light cotton clothes, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and comfortable sandals amongst other personal necessities.
Emergency Number
Police : 100 Chandramathy Amma Memorial Hospital : 2361340 / 2361420 C C M K Hospital : 2709170 TOURISM BOARD OFFICE - Tourist Information Center : 91-471-480085
Nearby Places
Silent Valley National Park on the border with Tamil Nadu is a hidden verdant paradise and a city getaway from Thrissur. Virgin rainforest covers the area and in it are harboured over a hundred varieties of orchid. At 2000 meters, bordering the Kunthi River, this small sanctuary has a variety
of flora and fauna. Some animals found here are the Nilgiri tahr, bison, and the black-faced Nilgiri langur. Cheraturuthy 32 km from Trichur and near the town of Shornur, has the Kerala Kalamandalam that promotes Keralan dance and theatre and almost single-handedly prevented the ritualised dance drama form of Kathakali from dying out. The oldest surviving theatre form in the world is Kuttiyattam. In Kerala Kalamandalam it is studied and performed. Legends like the director Peter Brook have come here to study the form.
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