Natana Kairali Research Centre

Interesting things to Visit

Koodalmanikyam Temple:

Art Museum:

Art Museum is just 2 kms from Thrissur town, there is nice little art museum, which has a good collection of woodcarvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures and ancient jewellery. There are also wonderful figures and good paintings. This art museum is also well known fro a great collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

Cheruthuruthy (Kathakali Centre):

North of Thrissur, 29 kms away, near the Shoranur Railway junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala’s Kathakali performers get their training. The institution also offers training in music, drama and other dance forms including Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.

The Zoo:

Zoo is 2 kms from Thrissur town, is the zoo, which is a wonderful place for animal enthusiasts. Within the 13.5 acres of compound, a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, Sloth bear, various species of birds, deer etc. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobra, Kraits, Vipers and rat snakes.

Vilangakunnu:

7 kms from Thrissur, Vilangakunnu is a beautiful little hill which is a wonderful picnic spot. This spot is a feast for ones eyes with its natural charm and serenity.

Peechi- Vazhani Wild life Sanctuary:

This large dam in the Western Ghats, 20km east of Trissur, provides the ares’s drinking water while the attached sanctuary offers protection for animals.

Thriprayar:

This is situated at 22 Km from Thrissur. This is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shri Rama. The important festival here is the Thriprayar Ekadasi held for three days in Vrischikam during Nov-Dec.

Lourdes cathedral:

It is situated near Thrissur, which turned to a Cathedral in 1995 with an underground chapel.

Nearest Visiting places

Peechi Dam:

Peechi Dam, 23km fromThrissur is an irrigation project site which offers boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary,and this place is easily accessible by road from Thrissur, as there are frequent private buses from Thrissur.

Chowalloor Shiva Temple:

Renowned as one of the 108 Shivalayas (Abode of Shiva) the Chowalloor Shiva Temple is in the neighborhood of Guruvayur. The temple location is scenic, calm and cool. The premier deity is Shiva with a special Shivalinga installed in the sanctum Sanctorum.

Heritage Garden:

Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The heritage garden is established recently to preserve and exhibit valuable Heritage Garden is located in the heart of the city, just on the southern side of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. The heritage garden is established recently to preserve and exhibit valuable indigenous trees and flora of Kerala.

Lourdes Cathedral:

Thrissur district was under the control of Dutch and British invaders. During their period they had created several beautiful churches, an example is the Lourdes Cathedral. The exterior features an Indo-European facade with pink spires. The Centenary of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur in 1986.

Punnathur Kotta (Elephant Shelter):

Near Guruvayoor, 2 km away is Punnathur Kotta, the place where temple elephants (numbering over 40) are taken care of. Nowhere else one can find so many elephants at a time.

Christian Divine Retreat Centres:

They are located at Muringoor and Potta near Chalakudi, on the Kochi - Thrissur route.

Mummiyur Temple:

This is a small temple dedicated to Shiva, whose image is said to have been existing in Guruvayoor, even prior to the installation of the image of Krishna. It is located near the famous Krishna temple.A visit to this shrine is considered mandatory for all those worshipping at the Krishna temple.

Chavakkad Beach:

Lying on the coast of Arabian Sea and situated 5 km from Guruvayoor, Chavakkad beach is an important tourist spot. Chavakkad is famous for Haidross Kuttee, a lieutenant of Haider Ali of Mysore. St Thomas Church at Palayur and Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary are nearby tourist spots.

Parthasarathy:

This is a famous temple credited with an idol of Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna in the form of Guiding Arjuana (Partha)

Anakkaya:

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.

Elephant Camp:

Elephant Camp in the Punnathur Kotta is the largest elephant sanctuary in India. At present it has more than 60 elephants. All these elephants are offered to Guruvayur temple by the devotees of Guruvayurappan. This elephant sanctuary is a specimen example elephant love and preservation.

The Vazhachal waterfalls

The Vazhachal waterfalls are located very close to the Athirapally falls and are a part of the Chalakudy river stream. Vazhachal is popular for its flora and herbal plantations (maintained by the forest department) apart from the scintillating waterfalls set in the backdrop of a lush green forest. This is an ideal picnic spot too.

Sholayar Dam:

Sholayar Dam is situated 20 km from Valparai, a hill station on the Anamalai range in Coimbatore District. It is the second deepest dam in Asia. With its scenic surroundings, the dam is a busy tourist spot in the hidden forest area. A part of the hydroelectric project of Tamil Nadu, special permission is required to visit the dam.

Vachumaram:

Vachumaram is a calm and beautiful lake surrounded by hills. If you are lucky, you can spot deer and wild elephants here.

Thumpurmuzhi gardens:

Thumpurmuzhi gardens are located amidst the two water theme parks. The water from the river is redirected to deep tanks at Thumpurmuzhi, creating a waterfall like impact. The gardens are well maintained and have scenic surroundings.

Malakapara Tea Gardens:

For the adventurous a family safari through the deep forest and high ranges complemented with lots of hairpin curves takes you to the fascinating sculptured beauty of Malakapara tea Gardens. Along the route if you are lucky you may end up seeing some good wildlife.

Charpa Falls:

To the east of athirappilly is the enchanting but lesser known Charpa falls which plunges on to the road during monsoon. It is a sight to watch and enjoy.

Bhagawati Temple:

The Bhagawati temple at Kodungallur is known throughout Kerala. The Bharani festival at the Bhagawati temple is one of the biggest in Kerala.

St.Thomas Church:

Jesus Christ’s apostle, St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor (earlier Muziris) in 52 AD. The St. Thomas Church established by him houses ancient relics. St. Thomas is portrayed in the gospels as a courageous and brave personality.

Kottayil Kovilakom:

Kottayil Kovilakom is a small village located at Chennamangalam, near Paravur. The place is located around 40 kilometers from Ernakulam town and is a symbol of religious harmony. The beautiful hillocks of Kottayil Kovilakom are unique as the site of a Hindu temple (Dedicated to Krishna) , a Christian church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue, all within 1 km of each other.

Pallippuram Fort:

Pallippuram Fort was built in 1507 AD, by the Portugese. It is considered to be the first fort built in India by the Europeans.It witnessed several battles between the Portugese and the Dutch. The hexagonal-shaped fort has three storeys and is now a protected monument.

Shiva Temple:

The Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located 3 kilometers from Kodungalloor on the Ernakulam road. The temple porch is very much attractive because it is decorated with carvings depicting people and incidents in the epic Ramayana. The Lord Shiva is worshiped here in the form of ‘Shivalingam’ and his faithful bull ‘Nandi’ also worshiped here.

Parthasarthy Temple Adoor:

Seek the divine at Parthasarthy temple in Adoor Kerala, India and find yourself in the middle of a temple building brimming with enchanting architectural friezes and sculptural treasures.The Parthasarthy Temple in Adoor, Kerala India comes to life during the annual Gajamela, a traditional elephant festival that draws crowds from the near by areas. See caparisoned elephants march in rhythm with the cultural fiesta held at the Parthasarthy Temple every year. Kovalam holidays.

Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple:

Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple is one of the largest Krishna temples in Kerala. Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple is located in Thrissur in Kerala, South India and is considered to be over a 1000 years old.

Thumpurmuzhi gardens:

Thumpurmuzhi gardens are located amidst the two water theme parks. The water from the river is redirected to deep tanks at Thumpurmuzhi, creating a waterfall like impact. The gardens are well maintained and have scenic surroundings.

Tippu’s Flag Staff:

The flag staff of Tippusultan which was erected in 1789 is now protected in front of the Sakthanthampuran palace near the fort well.

Old Fortification:

The eastern and western gateway and old fortification around the Sakthan Thampuran Palace has been declared as protected monuments due to its stylistic importance.Two stone images of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi under the Saptaparna tree in Vadakkechira palace (Sakthan Thampuran Palace) compound are protected by the departement.

Archaeological Museum:

Located on the Town Hall Road in Trichur, the archaeological museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Mondays and National holidays.

Vadakkumnathan Temple:

The famous Vadakkumnathan temple located in Thrissur, Kerala, South India.A very big temple in 10 acres is said to have been built by Parasurama, Vadukkumnnatha is a prominent Shiva temple, in downtown Thrissur. This is one of Kerala’s most ancient shrines, which also houses a museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of immense historical value.In a land crowded with several better-than-the-last temples, The Vadakkumnathan temple stands out as one of the oldest temples in the state of Kerala.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Ayyanthole Police Station
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala
Get Directions
0487 2363608

Police Station
SH 22, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala

Chalakudi Police Station
Chalakudi, Thrissur, Kerala

Nearest Hospital:

Modern Hospital
P.O. Box No:22, Kodungallur Post
Thrissur, Kerala 680664
Tel: 0480 2802022.

Sree Chithra Ayur Home
Manathala, Chavakkad
Thrissur, Kerala 680506
Tel: 09895091639.

Nilayoram Resorts & Ayurvedic Centre
Painkulam Post, Cheruthuruthy
Thrissur, Kerala 679531
Tel: 09847044244.

Society/Community Phone Number

Research and Performing Centre for Traditional Arts
Director, G. Venu
Ammannur Chakyar Madhom
Irinjalakuda 680121
Thrissur District
Kerala, India
Tel. +91 - (0) 480 - 2825559

Location info

• Address: Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, Kerala.

• District: Thrissur district

• Nearest City: Irinjalakuda, Chalakkudy and Kodungalloor.

• Best time to visit: 1-12 January

Things to do at Natana Kairali Research Centre

You can watch Mohiniyattam, Nangiar Koothu and Thiruvathira Kali and Mohiniyattam and there is a Short term courses are offered to Kutiyattam-Abhinayasankethangal, Mohiniattam and Nangiarkoothu.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.