The History of Thrissur The word 'Trichur' is the anglicized form of the Malayalam name of the town 'Thri-Siva-Perur', meaning the town of Lord Siva. The name is appropriate, for Trichur derives its main glory from Vadakunnathan Temple, (Vadakunnathan, Lord of the North, is a name of Siva) that dominates the topography of the town.Trichur is of hoary fame, and the origin of Vadakkunnathan Temple is ascribed to Parasurama, the legendary hero who is said to have reclaimed Kerala from the sea by a miraculous feat. In historical times it was a suburb of Musiris (present Cranganore) the capital of the ancient Chera Empire, an international Emporium where most of the ancient trading nationals of the world had their settlements. From very early times Trichur has been a centre of learning and, with the decline of Buddism and Jainism and the establishment of the supremacy of Brahminism during the revival of Hinduisum, Trichur became an important centre of Sanskrit learning. The great Sankara Acharya had taught Advaita here. After his travels in different regions of India he is believed to have come back and settled in Trichur and died here. Sankara Acharya's disciples Hastamalaka, Thotaka. Padmapada and Sudhachara established in the town four Maddams, namely the Northern Madham, the Middle Madham, the ln-Between Madham and the Southern Madham respectively, all of which are extant except the In-Between one.
Athirapilly Water Falls
Athirappilly is famous among tourists. Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height.
Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.
Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Since Athirappilly is situated on the highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night riding is not advised.
Distance from Guruvayur is 87 k
Important Phone Numbers of AthirappilliSpring Vally Hollyday Homes -2769067Avanue Regent Athirappilli -2764062Hill Value Vettilapara-2769192RichMount Athiappilli- 2764024River Rock Athirappilli-2769067
Elephant Race
The Gruruvayur Utsavam begins with Aanayottam, starting from Manjulal and ending at the flag staff. Religiously, Utsavam begins with the giving of koora (cloth) and pavithram (ring made of kusa grass) to the Tantri.
In ancient times, the permission for the festival was taken from Pura koyma , Vanneri Nambidi and Kantiyur Pattar
The elephants run from Manjulal, (the banyan tree half a kilometer away from the eastern entrance to the temple) enter the temple, take 7 rounds and touch the flagstaff in the end. The first elephant to touch the flagstaff will be given special treatment inside the temple on the days of Utsavam and will get the privilege of carrying the Lord's thidambu for the procession.
Chettuva boating
At night reflections of their little lamps cross each other drawing endless ephemeral images. A hanging bridge, floating restaurant, swimming pool, yoga centre and jogging track are at your disposal.
In the evening you can row yourself in a country boat past the mangroves to the surrounding villages or with go fishing with fishing rods or try out the Chinese fishing net. A luxurious three bedroom Kashmiri house boat build with the scented Devdar wood and a two bedroom Kerala house boat are also available for stay.Distance from Guruvayur 9 Km.
Sakthan Thampuran Palace
Actual name of Sakthan Thampuran was Raja Rama Varma (1751-1805). He was a king of Cochin and his palace was in Thrissur, central Kerala, south India. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala and Sakthan Thampuran is the very architect of Thrissur.
Thrissur Pooram was introduced by him.
His palace is located in the heart of Thrissur town and has several well-preserved materials and galleries. The palace is usually known as Vadakkekara Palace, it was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutch style in 1795.
Kerala Kala Mandalam
erala Kalamandalam is a major center for learning Indian Performing Arts especially those that developed in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district near the banks of Bharathapuzha River.
It was founded in 1930 by late poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukunda Raja. Kalamandalam imparts training in classical dance and theatre formsKathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kudiyattam, Thullal,Kuchipudi,Bharatanatyam,NangiarKoothu, and traditional orchestra Panchavadyam. Training is also given in various percussion instruments like Chenda,Maddalam,and Mizhavu. Kalamandalam follows the Gurukula system of education, the ancient Indian education system.
Palayur church
In 52 A.D. Thomas Didaemus, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. is believed to have landed at Musiris (Cranganore) in Kerala. He made his first converts both Jews and Hindus at Palayur a town now in Trichur district, Kerala.
There he built a small church with an altar, which he consecrated. This is supposed to be the oldest church in India.
St. Thomas later moved to the east coast. and settled in Madras (now Chennai) in 64 A.D. after having travelled all the way to China. Back in Chennai, the apostle is said to have stayed at what was then a village where the present zone of Mylapore is located.
Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is 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 Medom (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 Thiruvambadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu which is quite a significant event for its devotees.
Cheraman Juma Masjid
It is India’s first Muslim mosque built in 629 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar, a follower of Prophet Mohammed. Unlike other Mosque’s in Kerala that face westward this mosque faces eastward. The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People bring oil for the lamp as an offering here. This is one of the few mosques in Kerala which allow entry for people of other religions. In recent years, the mosque has observed vidyarambha, a Hindu initiation ritual marking the beginning of a child's learning. The mosque is 3km away from the resort.
Guruvayoor Temple
Famously known as the �Dwarka of the south", Guruvayoor is one of the most important pilgrim centers of Kerala. It is believed that Guru, the preceptor of Devas and Vayu (the Lord of Winds) had built the Sree Krishna temple here. Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of the temple is also known as Guruvayoorappan or the Lord of Guruvayoor. The elaborate rituals performed here are said to have been prescribed by Adi Sankaracharya, the philosopher saint of Kerala.
The temple is said to have healing powers and is the best place to witness Hindu marriages and Annaprasanam, the first feeding ceremony of the child. Ekadasi (Nov/Dec) is the most important festival of the temple.
Bhagavathi Temple, Kodungallor
Kodungaloor, the ancient capital of Kerala, is 35 kms north-west of Ernakulam, has a hoary past. From the days of recorded history, Kodungalloor, then a trade emporium in India, had been a maritime port of international repute. The city had been a beehive of activities and had trade relations with West as well as Middle-East. Today, the city is a great pilgrim centre. Bharani festival held in the Bhagavathi temple here is a big devotee draw. On bharani day, special nivedya (nectar) known as Variyarippayasam is offered to Devi. This is performed by Adikals( priests). Early morning, the deity would be ceremoniously taken out of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and placed on a raised pedestal for public worship. Simultaneously, the temple flag will be hoisted signifying the victory of Devi over Darika( evil). After the bharani day, the temple doors will remain closed for six days. During this period, pooja will be offered only once in a day. On the seventh day when the sreekovil is opened, thousands would have Dharsan (vision) of Devi, Such a darshan is reckoned as most auspicious.
St. Thomas Church
In AD 52, the first Christian church in India was constructed by Saint Thomas at a place called Maliyenkara in Kondungalloor (Formerly called Muziris). St Thomas the apostle of Christ is believed to have come to Cranganore and preached the gospel. The bones of the right hand of St Thomas are placed in the church since 1953 as a memento. The church is at a distance of 50 meters from the resort.
Kottapuram Fort
The Portuguese built the Kottappuram fort or Cranganoor Fort in 1523 AD. The Dutch took possession of it in 1661. The Dutch recaptured it two years later, and, having ceded it to Tipu Sultan in 1784, sold it to the Travancore raja, and again in 1789 to Tippoo, who destroyed it in the following year. The remains show that the original fort wall was 18 feet in thickness. The ruin is also known as Tipu's fort. The fort is at a distance of 2km from Kodungalloor town..
