Destination Kerala - Trichur (Thrissur)
Trichur - The cultural capital of Kerala - is in the central region of Kerala with rich history, culture and archeological remains. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India. This former capital of Cochin state was captured by the Zamorin and later by Tippu Sultan in the second half of the 18th century. The history of Trichur district from the 9th to 12th centuries is of the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram and the history after the 12th centruy is of the rise and growth of Perumpadappu Swarupam. The 14th and 15th centuries constituted a period of aggressive wars by which the rich Zamorins of Calicut acquired a large part of the Trichur district. In the subsequent centuries the European powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and the English dominated the scene. In 1790 Raja Rama Varma popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran ascended the throne of the state of Cochin and was the architect of present Trichur town.
The famous Pooram festival is celebrated at the Vadakkumnathan temple every year during April-May. The Kerala Kala Mandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located here.
Tourist Office: DTPC, Trichur operates an information counter opposite Town Hall Ph:320800. DTPC also operates a facilitation center at Chettuva riverside ( Ph: 291715).
Travel Agents: Trinity Air Travels and Tours Ph:331172, OlympusTtravels Ph: 421759, Supersonic Travels Ph: 422027, Akbar Travels of India Ph: 335526.
Transport
Air:The nearest airport is at Nemumbassery, Cochin (50 Km).
Rail : Trichur is an important rail head of the southern railway.
Road : Trichur is well connected with almost all important centres in south India. Trichur has three bus stations. The long route and interstate buses start from KSRTC bus station situated near the railway station. The private bus operates from Sakthan Thampuran bus stand one kilometre from the town. The North bus stand is located in the Town.
Places of Interest
Vadakkumnathan temple : This temple is one of the most ancient temples of Kerala. There are many decorative wall paintings and historically important pieces of art in the temple. It is a classical example of the Kerala style of architecture. The Pooram festival in the Vadakkumnathan temple is celebrated annually in April-May. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. The nearby Paramekkavu and Thiruvampady temples are also equally famous.
Archeological museum : This museum is situated on the Town Hall road. The entry time is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and other national holidays.
Art Museum : Art musuem is in the Zoo compound. There are good collections of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewelley. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days except Mondays.
Zoo : The zoo is situated 2 Km. away from the town. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days except on Mondays.
Town Hall : This is an imposing building with a Picture Gallery where mural paintings from all parts of Kerala are exhibited.
Aquarium : The aquarium is near Nehru Park and the entry time is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Vilangankunnu : This is a beautiful hill situated 7 km. away from Trichur. It is a good picnic spot.
Arattupuzha : The annual "Pooram" festival in the temple here is held in April/May every year. The Arattupuzha pooram is one of the most colourful festivals in Kerala. The image of the deities from 41 neighbouring temples are brought in a procession to this village during the festival.
Peechi dam : Situated 20 Km. east of Trichur, the dam is a good picnic spot with facilities for boating. There are frequent private buses form Trichur to this place.
Christian Divine Retreat Centres :
The divine retreat centres are at Muringoor (Ph : 0488-708513) and at Potta ( Ph: 0488-708714). They are located near Chalakudi, on the Cochin - Trichur route.
Nattika Beach: This beautiful beach is located at Nattika on the Guruvayoor - Cochin route.Accommodation is available at Kadappuram Beach Resort Ph : 0488-394988 - Tariff Rs.3000.
Guruvayoor
Guruvayoor, located 29 kms. north west of Trichur, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple known here as ‘Guruvayoorappan'. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Deva and Vayu, the Lord of winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the Chuttambalam, the outer enclosure is the tall 33.5 mtr high gold-plated Dwajasthambam or flag-post. Also there is a 7mtr high Dipastambha or pillar of lamps, whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square Sreekoil is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the mian deity. Within the temple there are also the images of Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Edattedattu Kavil Bhagavathi. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Darsan Timings : 4.30 am. to 12 noon and 4.30pm to 8pm.
Guruvayur Devaswom Board Ph : 0487 - 556335
Festival
1.10 days Ulsav (February/March): With elephant
processions and several rituals.
2.Vishukkani (April)
3.Ashtami Rohini (August/September)
4.Ekadasi: 30 days. This is the most important festival (Novermber/December).
Besides the famous Sreekrishna temple, there are
other shrines such as the Lord Siva's shrine, Parthasarathi temple, Shrine of Venkatachalapati of Thirupati, Perunthatta Siva temple and Tamarayur Vishnu temple. At Punnathur Kotta, 4 Km. away from Guruvayoor, 42 elephants are
taken care of. Visitors are allowed in the Kotta.(Visiting hrs. 9am. to 5 pm.)
Tourist office : DTPC, Trichur (Ph:550400) and KTDC operate information counters at Hotel Mangalya. The DTPC conducts Bhakthi Marga Tour covering Mammiyoor temple, Punathur Elephant Camp, Vadakkunathan temple, Trichur and Sree Rama temple, Triprayar. Time - 7am and 3 pm. Charge Rs. 850 for 5 persons. They also arrange Athirapally Waterfall tour on request.
Transport
Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin (80 Km.)
Rail : Railway enquiry (Ph : 554300, 556820)
Triprayar
The famous Sree Ramaswamy Temple is located at Triprayar on the Guruyavoor- Kodungallur route. Built in typical Kerala style of architecture, this temple is an invaluable storehouse of ancient wood carvings and murals.
The Temple celebrates two festivals annualy. The sevan day Ekadasi festival falls in Nov/Dec and concludes with a spectacular parade of 17 caparisoned elephants.
The other festival - famous for it boat race - falls on Thiruonam day (Aug-Sept). Darsan Timings : 4am. to 11 am. and 5pm. to 8 pm.
Athirapally and Vazhachal Water falls
77 Kms away from Cochin, these waterfalls present an enchanting sight. These waterfalls, near the entrance to the Sholayar ranges are of great scenic beauty .The Athirapally waterfalls is of 80 feet height and joins Chalakudy river.
Transport
Frequent buses from Chalakudy to Athirapally (One hour journey).
Cheruthuruthy
32 Km. north of Trichur, Cheruthuruthy is the seat of Kerala Kalamandalam world reknown for its Kathakali training centre. A music and dance academy was founded here by the famous poet late Shri Vallothol Narayana Menon. Training in Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Thullal and other arts of Kerala is imparted here. Ther is also an Art Gallery here.
Transport : The nearest main railway station is Shornur and most of the trains halt at the station. There are frequent private buses to Shornur from Trichur which takes one hour. The distance from Shornur to Cheruthuruthy is 3 Km.
Courses offered at Kalamandalam (Ph : 0488- 462418)
Short term courses : These are meant for students from other states and abroad. The duration is from 3 months to one year. No sudent is permitted to join for more than one course at a time. Accommodation facility is not offered by the institution. For more details contact,The Secretary, Kerala Kala-mandalam, Cheruthuruthy P.O., Trichur, Kerala, Pin: 679 531.
Regular Courses : Regular courses comprising of diploma and post diploma courses are offered to the Indian nationals. The courses offered are on Kathakali dance & music, Chenda, Maddalam, Make-up, Koodiyattam, Mizhavu, Mohiniyattom, Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, etc.
Visitors are allowed to watch the study programme for the above courses without any cost. The classes on body massage, eye-exercise movements, expressions etc. can be watched from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Interesting spots : Old Kalamandalam, Vallathol Samadhi, Kathakali museum, Vallathol house and museum, Vallathol Nagar new campus, Library, Recording studio, Koothambalam (temple theatre) and Gallery.
Vacation period : There will be no classes on Sundays and Saturdays and public holidays, Onam and Christmas holidays and summer vacation (April to May).
Special performance on Kathakali and other dance forms are conducted on the following days without any fee – January 26th, March 13th, August 15th, September 18th and November 9th. Special performance will be arranged on prior request of one week for which advance payment is required.
Accommodation : There is Government Guest House
(Ph : 0488-462498) and a PWD Rest House (Ph : 0488-462760) at Cheruthuruthy. Good medium rangehotels are also available at Shornur. The River Retreat ( Ph: 0488 - 462974) on Palace road has A/c double rooms for Rs.1600.
Irinjalakuda Koodal Manikyam Temple
This temple is situated 10 kms away from Irinjalakuda railway station and 21 kms away from Trichur. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the brother of Sree Rama. It is perhaps the only temple in India with Bharatha as the deity. The colourful annual festival lasting 11 days is held in April/May every year. The highlight is the procession of 13 caparisoned elephants on the last two days.Festivals in this temple marks the end of the Hindu temple festival season in Kerala.
Natana Kairali, Irinjalakuda (Ph:0488-825559) is an important cultural centre in Kerala. They organise Kootiyattam festival every year during December/January.
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