Thrissur District in Kerala

About Thrissur District

Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of the state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 sq km, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population, a mix of traditionally rich and the neo-rich. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur town.The Cultural capital of Kerala, Trichur, gained prominence under the reign of Raja Rama Varma in 1790.Thrissur is a culturally rich city. Bestowed with breathtaking scenic beauty and warm, generous inhabitants, Thrissur acts as a time warp to the average tourist. It seems one has walked into a settlement that refuses to out grow its quaint, sylvan beauty. The ancient palaces and mansions, the cobbled streets belie the cultural progress made by the people of this beautiful place.Trichur or Thrissur as it is called locally, is well known for Vadakkunathan Temple, the Thrissur Pooram an annual festival held in the city, the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.

It is bounded on the north by Palakkad district, on the east by Palakkad district and Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, on the south by Ernakulam and Idukki districts, and on the west by the Arabian Sea. The area of the district is 3032 sq. km., while the population is 2,975,440 according to 2001 census.The city and the area around it have a number of museums, art schools, and institutes, which are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural traditions of Kerala.While in Thrissur, you can experience the rich cultural heritage that the state of Kerala proudly upholds. The multi-hued past of this city comes alive at the Archaeological Museum and the Art Museum as also the art gallery located within the Town Hall.

The city holds annual eight day festival called Thrissur Pooram during which brilliantly caparisoned elephants lead processions. Followers representing the Thiruvambadi temple on one hand and the Paramekkavu temple on the other hand celebrate the Pooram. Elaborate processions from both these temples start off amidst much fanfare through the streets of Thrissur.The elephants belonging to these temples lead the processions. Each elephant participating in this festival is richly caparisoned, adorned with ornaments and topped with an equally well-decorated parasol. There are 15 elephants from each group. Each side tries to outdo the other in the decoration of elephants, as the side putting up a better display than its rival is adjudged as the winner for that particular year.

The land of Kerala is popular all over the world for the best cuisine cooked in their traditional way. Visitors of Thrissur can get all type of special Cuisine served in hotels and fast food restaurant of the city. Most of the hotels serve comfortable, luxurious, and value services for their clients.They provide with best of the traditional Kerala recipes. These traditional recipes of the city are variety in types like boiled, roasted, seafood, vegetable and Chinese foods too. The most liked foods of Kerala are Vegetable Korma, Fry Fish, Dosa, Pakoda, Banana Chips, Erisseri, Bonda, Palak Paneer and French Beans with dry Coconut.

History of Thrissur Districts

Thrissur District has played a part in the political history of south India. The early political history of the District is interlinked with that of the Cheras of the Sangam age, who ruled over vast portions of Kerala with their capital at Vanchi. The whole of the present Thrissur District was included in the early Chera Empire. The District can claim to have played a part in fostering the trade relations between Kerala and the outside world in the ancient and medieval period.

Kodungalloor which had the distinction of being the “Primum Emporium India”, gave shelter to all the three communities which have contributed to the prosperity of Malabar’. These three communities are the Christians, the Jews and the Muslims. The history of Thrissur district from the 9th to the 12th centuries is the history of Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram and the history since 12th century is the history of the rise and growth of Perumpadappu Swarupam.

In 1790 Raja Rama Varma (1790-1805) popularly known as Saktan Tampuran ascended the throne of Cochin. With the accession of this ruler the English or modern period in the history of Cochin and of the District began. Saktan Tampuran was mainly responsible for the destruction of the power of the feudal Nair chieftains and increase of royal power. Another force in the public life of Trichur and its suburbs was the Namboodithiri community and Menons of Royal ancestry. A large part of the Trichur Taluk was for long under the domination of the Yogiatiripppads, the ecclesiastical heads of the Vadakkunnathan and Perumanam Devaswoms.

The wave of nationalism and political consciousness which swept through the country since the early decades of this century has its repercussions in the District as well. Thrissur District has been in the forefront of the country-wide movement for temple entry and abolition of untouchability. The Guruvayur Satyagraha is a memorable episode in the history of the national movement.

Educational Institutions of Thrissur Districts

Prayaga College
Pulikkathara Building, Nayarambalam Vyipin, Malippuram, Ernakulam, Kerala 680511 - 0484 2497241

Social St Joseph College
Rajagiri Road, Kalamassery, Ernakulam, Kerala 680104 - 0484 2540001

PGCentre
Palace Rd, Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala 680020 - 0487 2338983

Morning Star Home Science College
NH47, Angamaly South, Angamaly, Ernakulam, Kerala - 0484 2452338

SC Ms School Of Engineerig & Technology
Management House, Babuvapuam P O, Vidya Nagar, Ernakulam, Kerala 680033 - 0484 2450330

St Josephs Training College For Women
Kvtm Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Ernakulam, Kerala 680035

School of Communication and Management
Pratap Nagar Muttom, Aluva, Cochin, Kerala 683103, Pratap Nagar Muttom, Aluva, Cochin, Kerala 683103 - 0484 2623885

Al-Ameen College
Edathala North, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala 680564

MES College
Marampilly, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala 680107 - 0484 2677104

Govt. Polytechnic
Govt. Polytechnic College, Chelakkara, Govt. Polytechnic College, Chelakkara

Christ College Auditorium
Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala

SNM Training College
Moothakunnam Po, Moothakunnam, Ernakulam, Kerala 680516 - 0484 2482497

Akshaya Institute of Biotechnology and Informatics
NH 47, Alwaye,Ernakulam, Kerala 683106 - 0484 2621361

Sahrdaya College of Engineering & Technology
Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala - 0480 2726630

Mahtam Arts & Sceience College
Muncipal Junction, N Parur, Ernakulam, Kerala 680513 - 0484 2448598

Culture

Thrissur Pooram is the annual temple festival of the town of Thrissur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most colourful temple festival of Kerala which attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside.

Thrissur Pooram is celebrated at the premises of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, situated on a hillock (Thekkinkadu maidan) right in the centre of the city, on the Pooram day in the month of Medom (April-May). Processions of richly caparisoned elephants accompanied by percussion ensembles from various neighbouring temples culminate at the Vadakumnathan temple. The most impressive processions are those from the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple and the Bhagavathi Temple at Paramekkavu. The celebrations which last for over 36 hours includes parasol displays and firework shows.

Tourist Attraction of Thrissur Districts

The Shakthan Thampuran Palace
The Shakthan Thampuran Palace, also known as Vadakkekara Palace was constructed by the great ruler of Cochin, Shakthan Thampuran and rebuilt in 1795 by Sri. Ramavarma Thampuran. The style of architecture bears considerable Dutch influences.

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.

Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam)
North of Thrissur, 29km away near the Shoranur Railway Junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form.

Vadakkumnathan Temple
This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architectrue. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. ’ Thrissur Pooram ’ the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April -May every year.

Art Museum
Within the zoo compound is the small Art Museum which has a good collection of wood carvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures, and ancient jewellery. There is also a wonderful collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

The Church of Our Lady of Dolors
The Church of Our Lady of Dolors, Thrissur is also known as the New Church and is the biggest church in South Asia.

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.

The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur
The Archeological & Art Museum at Thrissur is a depository of graceful stone sculptures, antique jewelry and intricately carved wooden handicrafts.

Thrissur Zoo
Thrissur Zoo houses a number of wildlife animals and attracts locals and tourists alike.

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.

Kerala Sahitya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Academy in collaboration with the Kendriya Sahitya Academy in New Delhi aims at encouraging Malayalam language and promoting its literature especially to the younger generations.

Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre)
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim tripto Guruvayur, 32km away. It is among India’smost important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th centrury. Tradition has it that the temple was created by Guru - the preceptor of the Devas, and Vayu - the lord of the Winds.

Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy (1962) was established in an attempt to promote the performing and fine arts of the state which had fallen into a decline.

Vilangan Kunnu
Vilangan Kunnu in Thrissur is a recreational center and a picnic spot where various amusement devices for children have been constructed.

Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy
Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy in Thrissur was established to promote dance, theater and music in Kerala. Thanks to its efforts Thrissur can now boast of a theatre with all modern amenities.

Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls
East of Chalakudy, near the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, are the beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 km apart. These waterfalls are a place of scenic beauty , and is of 80 feet high.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Thrissur Districts

Hotel Arches
Rose St, Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala - 0484 2215050

Old Court Yard
Princess St, Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala 682001 - 0484 2215035

Hotel Casino
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2424699

Hotel Trichur Towers
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2425290

Hotel Joys Palace
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2429999

Hotel Abad Metro
Rajaji Rd, Ernakulam, Kerala - 0484 2364032

Hotel Das Continental
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2446222

Hotel Luciya Palace
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala - 0487 2424731

Hotel Ashoka Inn
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala

Taj Residency
Ernakulam, Ernakulam, Kerala - 0484 2371472

Location info

Thrissur is a city situated in the central region of the state of Kerala, India.

Climate & weather

The district has a tropical humid climate with an oppressive hot season and plentiful and seasonal rainfall. The hot season from March to May is followed by the South West Monsoon season from June to September. The period from December to February is the North East Monsoon season, although the rain stop by the end of December and the rest of the period is generally dry.

How to reach Thrissur District

Nearest Railway Station:Thrissur is a major railhead of the Southern Railway.
Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport, about 58 km, is the nearest airport
Road Transport:Well connected with all other cities.

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.

Helpline & emergency contacts

Tourist Helpline: 1364 (toll-free, 24×7). Police: 112 (all-India emergency). Ambulance: 108. Women’s Helpline: 1091. Kerala Police Tourist Helpline: +91-471-2722255.