Thrissur

Thrissur, is located centrally in the State of Kerala .With its rich history, cultural heritage and archeological wealth is the cultural capital of Kerala. Trichur is famed far and wide for its Pooram festival. A cultural center, the Kerala Kalamandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy are located here.

Sightseeing at Thrissur :–
The Vadakunnathan Temple: Built in 8th century AD, the temple's boundaries are defined by a thick and lofty masonry wall with massive pagoda shaped gateways on all the four sides that provide a marvelous backdrop of the pageantry of the famous Trichur pooram festival, held in April-May every year. The temple has three sanctum sanctorum, dedicated to God Shiva as Vadakunathan,. Exquisite paintings and sculptures adorn the walls of the temple.

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. Non- Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

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 neighboring temples to this village.

Punnathur Kotta: 'Punnathur Kotta', the place where elephants donated by the believers to the temple of Guruvayoor (numbering over 40) are taken care of. Nowhere else can one see so many elephants at any one time?

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.

Thrissur, the Headquarters of Thrissur district, is called the Cultural capital of Kerala. The name derived from ‘Thiru Shiva Perur’ which means the town with the name of Lord Shiva. For centuries, it has been an important religious and cultural centre. Thrissur was occupied by the Rajahs of Kochi from the 16^th to the 18^th century, and then it fell into the hands of the Zamorin of Kozhikode and then into Hyder Ali in the late 18^th century. Sakthan Thampuran is the very architect of Thrissur

Vadakkkunnathan Temple: This famous temple in Thrissur is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the largest temples in Kerala. Adi Sandaracharya is supposed to have spent his last days in this temple. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend says that this temple was built by Parasurama. This temple is famous for its April/May Pooram Festival, which includes colourful and magnificent processions, brightly decorated elephants, fireworks etc.

Other attractions in Thrissur town are the Zoo, State Museum, Archaeological Museum, Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Puthenpalli Church etc.

THRISSUR POORAM – ‘POORAM OF ALL POORAMS’

Thrissur Pooran, the pooram of all Poorams, falls in April every year. It is different from other national festivals like the Kumbha Mela of Uttar Pradesh, the Vijayadashami pageantry of Mysore or the Rath Yatra of Orissa. It is intrinsically a people’s festival in all respects It is conducted by the active participation of people cutting across all barriers of caste and religion.

The unique catholic nature of Pooram could be traced to its genesis two centuries ago when Sakthan Thampuran, the very architect of Thrissur, became the ruler of the erstwhile state Kochi. When he, Prince Rama Varma (1751-1805), enthroned as the ruler, the fortunes of the state was at its lowest ebb. The state was totally disorganized with internecine feuds among feudal lords and the priestly class. Events like occupation of the Thrissur palace by the Zamorin of Kozhikode and a series of invasions by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore who had converted the sacred precincts of Vadakunnathan temple into his battle Headquarters were humiliating experiences to the new ruler. The result was the renovation by him of the 10 acre temple complex.

He was obsessed with the rampant corruption in the administration of the Vaddakkannathan temple. He turned his attention towards overcoming the Brahmin hegemony.At a time when nobody would have dared to look straight at the almighty Namboodiris, Sakthan Thampuran stripped of their powers and took over the administration of the temple that claimed an antiquity of more than three centuries. Thrissur Pooram, its major venue is the sprawling Thekkinkadu Maidan, is an outcome of his antipathy to the blue-blooded aristocracy. He entrusted the onus of holding the festival to the two temples- Tthiruvampadi and Paramekkavu temples that had never been under the control of the Namboodiris. He is said to have drawn up the 36-hour hectic schedule of the Pooram festival.

Thrissur Pooram, the mother of all temple festivals in the state, is essentially one of spectacles. The two devaswams- Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu- explore and exploit every source at their command to make this annual festival a memorable one. It is celebrated with a colourful procession of caparisoned elephants, parasol exchanges, drum concerts, display of pyro-techniques and refreshing scenes of public participation. During the festival season, Thrissur, popularly known as the temple town turns into a town of colour, music and mirth. The Pooram programmes extending about 36 hours begins with the ezhunellippu of the Kanimangalam Shasta in the morning followed by the ezhunnellippu of the other six minor temples on the Pooram Day. The ezhunnellippu programme which is considered to be a ritual symbolising the visit of the Devi from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples to the Vadakkunnathan temple. A major event of the Pooram festival is the Panchavadyam in which about 200 artistes from the disciplines of Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka participate. Another major event of the pooram begins with the setting off of the ‘Pandemelam’ at noon in which about 200 artistes in the disciplines of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal participate. The grand finale of this festival of colour, music and fire works would be marked with a function of bidding farewell to the deities of the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams in front of the Western Gate of the Vadakkunnathan Temple.

A noteworthy feature of the pooram festival is the participation of a cross section of people and elephants. The pachyderms emerge out in all their regalia with newly fabricated caparisons. They make their way through the milling crowds drawn from all religions, castes and creed to the accompaniment of ecstatic percussion ensembles. The exhibition of the paraphernalia of elephant decorative, commonly known as ‘Aana Chamayal pradarsanam’, the spectacular show of ‘Kudamattom’ in which parasols of myriad numbers, designs and colours are exchanged by the people atop the elephants.

The Pooram festival is concluded with a spectacular fire works display, which is held in the wee hours of the day after the Pooram. The Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams present many innovative patterns and varieties of fire works which make spectators going into raptures. This famous and mighty display of the magnificent display of fireworks add to the popularity of the Pooram festival.

The most striking feature of the Thrissur Pooram is its very secular nature. The Muslim and Christian Communities actively take part in it and they play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival. Most of the pandals are the craft work of the experts from the Muslim community. For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church and located on the western part of the Swaraj Round, becomes virtually the Headquarters of the Thiruvampadi Devaswam. The temple elephants are tied in the school compound. The ‘Aana Chamaya pradarsanam’ is also held here. The parasols for the ‘Kudamattom’ are offered by the churches and their members. At a time when the secular fabric of the Indian Society is slowly disintegrating, one can not be myopic to the relevance of Thrissur Pooram, the conduct of which should become worthy of emulation to other festivals in the country.

St.THOMAS CHURCH AT PALAYUR

This is the oldest church in India built by St Thomas, the Apostle in A.D.52. St. Thomas, the Apostle arrived in A.D.52 at Crangannur (now Kodungallur) with a band of Jewish merchants for the propagation of Christ’s message. Through the sea route, he reached Palayur in 52 A.D. and built the Church here. This famous Palayur pilgrim centre is at Chavakkad, near Thrissur.

SREE KRISHNA TEMPLE AT GURUVAYUR

One of the most famous religious centres in South India. 33 km. north -west of Thrissur. It is one of the most important pilgrim centres in India. It is also known as the Dwaraka of the south. The temple, which dates backe to the 16^th century, is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is here known as Guruvayurappan. Legend has it that the temple was created by Guru, the preceptor of the Devas and Vayu, the Lord of the winds. The idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Bramah himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his well- known Sanskrit devotional song ‘Narayaneeyam’. Thousands of devotees flock here every day with offerings of different kinds to appease ‘Guruvayurappan’ for his blessings. Punnathur Kota, an old Zamorin Palace nearby where the temple's elephants kept, is an interesting place to visit.

ATHIRAPPALY AND VAZHACHAL WATER FALLS

These waterfalls 5 km apart near Chalakkudy are near the entrance to Sholayar Forest ranges.It is a popular picnic spot.

PEECHY DAM & THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The 125 sq. km. PeechiVazhani Wildlife Sanctuary and The Peechy Dam are 23 km from Thrissur. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir. It is a beautiful spot for picnics.

KERALA KALA MANDALAM AT CHERUTHURUTHY

It is 29km away from Thrissur and near to the Shornur Railway Junction. Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy was founded in 1930 by Mahakavi Vallathol. It's main objective is to revive, preserve and develop the ancient and traditional art form of Kerala, particularly Kathakali.

Now the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at Vallathol Nagar, with its new building complex at Natyagraha. The old Kerala Kalamandalam is still at Cheruthuruthy on the shore of Nila River (Bharathapuzha). The Samadhi (Tomb) of Poet Vallathol, the founder of this famous institution,is in the premises of the old Kalamandalam.

It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattom, Koodiyattom and Ottan Thullal.