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Thrissur
Thrissur, the name derived from 'Tiru-Shiva-Perur' (the town with the name of Lord Shiva) is the cultural capital of Kerala. The town is built around a hillock top. Its most prominent feature is the Vadakkumnathan Kshetram or temple which has Shiva as it presiding deity
Physiography
54 km long coastal area. South East corner of the District is bounded by Tamil Nadu. Mountains-Machad, Paravattani, Palapalli, Kodeswary & Athirapalli. The Periyar, The Chalakudy, The Karuvannur and The Ponnani (Bharatha Puzha) are the main river systems in the District.
Access
Air-The nearest airport is at Cochin, 78 km away.
Rail- Thrissur is linked to most major towns inside and outside Kerala.
Road-Motorable roads connect Thrissur to several important centres.
Thrissur Pooram
The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside. Celebrated in Madom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur. The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvanbadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu which is quite a significant event for its devotees.
This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erst while Kochi State. Perhaps, there is no other festival in Kerala that draws such an unbelievable number of people to a single event. However Vadakkunnathan is a mere spectator at this festival, lending its premises and grounds for the great event. The pooram festival is also well known for the magnificient display of fire works. Fire works start in the early hours and the dazzling display last three to four hours.
 The Pooram Festival is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols, several kinds of which are raised on the elephants during the display. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.
The procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkumnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five precussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed.
places
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. The place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.
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.
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.
Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre)
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32km away. It is among India's most 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.
The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem 'Narayaneeyam'.
The temple is renowned for its healing powers. Several offerings are made to the deity here from the simple 'Archana' (offering of flowers) to the expensive and elaborate 'Udayastamana' pooja or Thulabharam' where a devotee is weighed against offering of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts. Not surprisingly Guruvayur is the site for several weddings and 'Annaprasanam', the first feeding ceremony of child.
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. 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 Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.
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.
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.
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.
Zoo
For the animal enthusiasts, Thrissur boasts a zoo, 2km from the town centre. Within the 13.5 acres of the compound live a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, species of birds and deer. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Rat Snakes
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