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Search results for: Kerala Map - Thrissur |
Thrissur
- Population:
275100 98 km from Cochin
- STD
Code: 0487
Thrissur with
its rich history, cultural heritage and archeological wealth, Thrissur
is called the cultural capital of Kerala. Named after Lord Shiva,
from ancient times this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India.
Many
rulers and dynasties beginning with the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and Europeans including the Dutch and the
British have had a hand in moulding the destiny of this region.
Raja
Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakhtan Thampuran was the architect
of the present Thrissur town.
The
Vadakkunnathan Kshetram, where the reigning deity is Lord Shiva, is on
a hillock in the heart of the town. Magnificent murals here explain the
epic of the Mahabharata. This temple is famous for its spectacular
celebration of the Pooram festival.
A
cultural centre, the Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy
and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located here.
PLACES
TO VISIT
Thrissur
has numerous other temples including
Paramekkavu Kshetram dedicated to Bhagwati or Durga
and the Thiruvambadi Temple which is dedicated to Lord
Krishna.
This
bustling town has a splendid Lourdes church with a large and imposing
interior. The State Museum and the zoo, both enclosed within the same
area, are the other attractions of Thrissur..
Twenty-three
kms away from Thrissur is the picnic spot, Peechy dam. Wild tuskers
are seen on the forested banks of the wildlife sanctuary.
Tiruvilluamala shrine, Kerala's most important temple dedicated
to Lord Rama, is 29 kms from Thrissur.. Another temple dedicated to Lord
Rama, the Triprayar Temple is south of Thrissur. It has exquisite
wood carving and sculptures.
40 kms south-west of Trichur is Kodungalloor which has India's
oldest mosque, Cheraman Jama Masjid. This place also has the ancient
Shiva temple, Thiruvanchikulam kshetram and Kodungalloor Bhagawati
kshetram. The first Jewish settlement in India was in Kodungalloor
(known as Cranganore, that time). St. Thomas the Apostle landed here in
AD 52.
Kerala
kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, the foremost institution imparting
training in the classical arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam and Mohiniattam,
is situated on the main road from Thrissur to Shoranur.
Guruvayur,
known as the Dwaraka of the South is just 29 kms away from Trichur.
Vadakkunnathan
Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala and is supposed to have
been founded by Parashurama. The temple is also referred to as the Rishabhadri
or Thenkailasam, which means the Kailash of the south. There are many
shrines inside the temple. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva
(Destroyer). There are shrines dedicated to Vadakkunnathan (Shiva), Sankara
Narayana, Ganesha (God of Wisdom), Ayyappa, Krishna (eighth incarnation
of Vishnu, the Preserver) and Rama (hero of the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana).
One of the shrines is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara (fordmaker), Vrishabha.
The devotees offer a thread from their clothing as a symbol to cover the
saint's nakedness. There are several idols that look like those of the
Buddha, or the Enlightened One.
The
Pooram festival is celebrated in the month of Medam (April-May). The festival
is marked by colourful processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants
sent for the event from various neighbouring temples. No stone is left
unturned to get the best of elephants and the most artistic parasols,
so that each temple’s display could turn out to be the most impressive.
Some of the very attractive processions are those that start from the
Thiruvampady and the Paramekkavu temples. The festival attracts large
crowds. It is also followed by a colourful display of fireworks.