Area 3032 sq.km
Population 2737331
Best time to Visit September to March
Languages Malayalam
STD Code 0487


Descending from the heights of the Western Ghats in the east, the land slopes towards the west forming three distinct natural divisions - the highlands, the plains and the sea board.

Access :

Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin, 78 km away.

Rail : Alleppey Railway Station. Connected by rail with Cochin.

Road : Motorable roads connect Thrissur to several important centres.


History :

Thrissur, the name derived from 'Tiru-Shiva-Perur' (the town with the name of Lord Shiva) is the cultural capital of Kerala. The town is built around a hillock top. Its most prominent feature is the Vadakkumnathan Kshetram or temple which has Shiva as it presiding deity.


Climate:

Like most of the places in Kerala, Thrissur has a tropical and humid climate. It experiences heavy monsoon rains from June to August therefore it is advisable not to visit Thrissur during the monsoon season.


Wildlife Sancturies :
Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary (35 km from Thrissur):
Main attractions: Fauna: Leopards, elephants, bears, wild pips, wild bisons, tigers etc. Flora: Evergreen forests. Semi evergreen forests. Leaf shedding forests. Trekking trails: Many paths up the rocks and into the forests of the Sanctuary.


Ayurvedic Centres :
Amala Ayurveda Hospital : Amala Ayurveda Hospital has an Ayurveda research wing and Ayurveda medicine production unit. The Ayurveda Bhavan in the hospital offers air conditioned accommodation for patients from abroad and within the country. The hospital also has reservation facilities for treatment and stay.
Majlis Park : Majlis Park is an ayurvedic resort located at Peramangalam in Thrissur District, Kerala. It works in association with the Ashtavaidyan Thaikkattu Mooss Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala of Thaikkattussery, Thrissur.


Pilgrimage Centres :
Guruvayoor It is one of the most sacred and imported pilgrim centers of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple known as 'Guruvayoor Ambalam'. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu the Lord of Winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 mt. high gold plated Dwajasthambam (flag post). There is also a 7 mt. high Deepasthambham (pillar of lamps), whose 13 circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple which houses the main deity. Within the temple there are also images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy.


Fairs and Festivals :
Guruvayoorappan Temple
Koorkancherry Sree Maheswara Temple
Thrikkur Rock Cave Temple
Vadakkunnathan Temple
Arratupuzha Festival (March)
Thrissur Pooram : The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside. Celebrated in Madom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur. The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvanbadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu which is quite a significant event for its devotees.


Places to visit :
Zoo (2 km from Thrissur town) : Open from 0900 - 1700 hrs on all days except Mondays.

Art Museum : Located in the Zoo compound, the art museum displays collections of woodcarvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. (Open 1000 - 17 00 hrs on all days except Mondays) Town Hall: Houses the Picture Gallery where mural paintings from all parts of Kerala are on display. Aquarium: This is near Nehru Park (open 15:00 - 20:00 hrs).

Vilangankunnu (7 km from Thrissur) : This is a beautiful hill, which is a good picnic spot. Arattupuzha: This village is known for the annual Pooram festival at the temple in April/May. The uniqueness of this festival is the ceremonial processions carrying the images of the deities of 41 neighbouring temples to this village.

Peechi dam (20 km east of Thrissur) : This picnic spot offers boating facilities. There are frequent private buses from Thrissur to Peechi dam.

Christian Divine Retreat Centres : They are located at Muringoor and Potta near Chalakudi, on the Kochi - Thrissur route.

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.

Punnathur Kotta : Near Guruvayur, 2km 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.


Waterfalls :

Athirampally Waterfalls : It is near to the entrance of the Sholayar range is a place of great scenic beauty. Here, the water plunges from a height of nearly 80 feet before joining the Chalakudi river. Vazhachal is just a drive from Athirampally, this picturesque spot is adjacent to Jense green forest, and is a part of Chalakudi River....

Beaches :
Nattika Beach Situated 30 km from Thrissur, Nattika is a wide and virgin beach blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand and graciously swaying palm trees. This picturesque place is suited for beach holidays and package tours. The resorts in the beaches provide all modern facilities with a Kerala village environment..