Located in the central part of the state of Kerala, Thrissur, formerly known as Trichur, is the cultural capital of the state. One of the oldest cities in the state, Thrissur has many churches, temples and cultural institutions along with museums for art and culture that draw a large number of visitors every year. The annual Thrissur Pooram festival is the most attractive feature of the city that is renowned for being a festival of festivals.
The close association of the city can be understood from its name that is considered to have originated from the terms Thiru-Shiva-Perur, which in Malayalam translates literally to ‘the city with the name of the Lord Siva’. There is yet another interpretation to the name of the city that associates to the three important Shiva temples in the city namely, Vadakkunnathan temple, Irattachira Shiva temple and Asokeswaram Siva temple and is believed that the name has been derived from Tri-Shiva-Peroor which means the land with three Shiva temples.
Thrissur is very well connected to all the major cities in the state of Kerala, as well as to many other cities in the neighbouring states. The major national highways NH 17, NH 544, NH66 and NH47 all will take you to Thrissur by road. You can take a private car and take these roads to reach Thrissur or you can take bus services that are available from cities like Kozhikode, Kannur, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore and Coimbatore.
Thrissur is a major city and you can get train services available from different cities in Kerala. Also, direct trains are available from some of the major cities from the entire country such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. From superfast trains to express trains to mail trains, you will get different options to reach Thrissur by train.
The nearest airport from Thrissur is the Cochin Airport, which is about 55km away from Thrissur. You will get flights from all the major cities in the country to reach Cochin and from there; you can take a bus or a taxi or hire a cab to reach Thrissur. The other airport close to Thrissur is Kozhikode, but it is 80km away. So, Cochin is the most convenient option.
Thrissur is one of the few cities in the country, where throughout the year it is a good time to pay a visit. Every season has something for you in store.
Summers are quite hot in Thrissur. However, it is one of the most popular seasons in Thrissur to pay a visit as the famous Thrissur Pooram festival takes place during this time. People from all across the country come to visit Thrissur to enjoy the colourful cultural festivals that place throughout Thrissur. Right after the Thrissur Pooram festival, there takes place the Arattupuzha Pooram festival and the 8 day long Kodungallur Bharani festival during this season. So, if you are interested in the cultural festivals and celebrations of Kerala, this is the time when you should come. You can also check places to travel kerala during summer
Though the monsoon season is considered to be an off-season for touristy purposes, Thrissur still welcomes a huge number of travellers and visitors during this time owing to the Onam Festival. The city encounters heavy rainfall during this time. Though roaming about city and the neighbouring places of interest is a little difficult during this time, the city looks stunningly beautiful as washed by rain, drawing many travellers purely for encountering the beauty of the city.
Winter is the ideal season for visiting any city in Kerala and Thrissur is no exception. Outdoor visits and sightseeing becomes extremely comfortable at this time.
This 1000 year old Shiva temple is located right at the centre of the city and is one of the most traditionally designed temples in Kerala. There are many mural paintings that are worth encountering, when you visit the temple. Some of these paintings are more than 400 years old. The most remarkable one is probably the Nataraja Mural right at the entrance of the temple.
About 60km away from the city, the Athirapally waterfall is a very popular tourist destination in Thrissur. The waterfall is beautiful and it is a popular picnic spot for the tourists. Also, the hanging bridge here is a popular tourist spot and you can visit the Thumboormuzhi butterfly park on the way. This butterfly park has more than 140 species of butterflies that will mesmerize you.
When you are in Kerala, be ready to expect a lot of ayurvedic culture, treatment and elements. The Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum is a great opportunity to know the traditional knowledge and system of Ayurveda.
When you are in Kerala, it is very unlikely for you to not find a beautiful beach in its coastal cities. The Chavakad Beach in Thrissur is one of the most beautiful and yet less visited beaches in Kerala. It is a must visit for you if you are looking for a rare scenic beauty.
If you love art and culture and want to know about the traditional Indian art forms and about Indian culture, the Kerala Kalamandalam is a must visit place for you. It is a deemed government sponsored University for Arts and Culture, where you can learn a variety of performing arts.
The most important highlight of Thrissur would probably be Thrissur Pooram. With a history dating back to 1790, from the time of reign of Raja Ram Verma, Thrissur has encountered a fresh cultural awakening and the festival celebrates that. It is grand, colourful and spectacular.
Thrissur is a city of religious importance, with many temples in the city that are very popular pilgrimage for Hindus. Visit the temples to feel the religious vibe and to encounter the beauty of some traditionally designed temples.
There are many museums in Thrissur that promote and exhibit art and culture of Kerala. If you have interest in traditional art and culture, you must visit the museums. You can checkout All You Need To Know About Kerala.
You will find a number of hotels – luxury hotels as well as budget hotels in Thrissur. It is comparatively a less crowded city and hence, during off-season, it is not problem for you to book a hotel. If you choose a trip package to Kerala, booking a hotel would be even easier.
