Thrissur: The land of Thamburans

Situated  in the central part of Kerala is a district, famous for it's art and colorful festivals, Thrissur, was formed in 1949. It was a region , which during ancient times was under the rule of  Madras dynasty, until it was liberated.

Thrissur Pooram 

Thrissur pooram(courtesy: wikipedia)

Thrissur is famous for Thrissur pooram, a festival in which thirty three bull elephants are summoned by two temples, to display power, it is characterized by a large band of 'chenda' group and fireworks.

Millions from all over Kerala, and the world come to see Thrissur pooram each year, during April.

Many Indian television and you tube channels do a live broadcast of the event. The elephants used in the pooram are decorated and adorned with ornaments. Currently, Sivasundaran, the biggest and most majestic of all elephants stands in the middle of the thirty three elephants who represent the Thiruvambadi side . 

Thrissur Puli Kali

pulikali during onam(courtesy: IndiaEve)

 The swaraj round which is Thrissur hosts the thrissur pulikali every August in Thrissur during the festival of onam. More than 800 people with their bodies painted to look like tigers, lions and leopards wearing colorful masks, parade the swaraj round, along with tablo and other performing arts. Hundreds of thousands of people including foreigners from the west, flock to the swaraj round to see the onam puli kali.

Temples,Mosques and Churches

Vadakkunathan temple(courtesy: wikipedia)

Thrissur has a lot of ancient Hindu temples. In the heart of Thrissur town there is the Vadakkunathan temple, It was the first temple built in Thrissur, and the area around the vaddakkunan temple holds the venue for Thrissur pooram.Thrissur has also many churches and mosques. Our lady of Lourde cathedral was built in 1965, and is one of the largest cathedrals in Thrissur, It is well decorated with gothic architecture. The Cheraman juma mosque in kodungallur, the mosque has an oil lamp, which is thought to have been burning for thousands of years.It was built during the 7th centuary

    Thrissur Zoo

thrissur zoo(courtesy: lxigo)

Thrissur has a zoo. It also has a botanical garden, a natural history museum and an art museum , all in a one very large compound. The zoo is home to lions, tigers, sloth bears, pelicans, gharials, crocodiles and many other species of plants and animals. The zoo receives more than 2000 visitors per day. Kerala has only one other zoo, and that is in Trivandrum. So the people in this district are really privileged to have one. An even  bigger zoo is under construction in the district.

                                                                People who visit the zoo, can also visit the museums inside without paying additional charges.

Nature

A sambar deer at chimmini wild life sanctuary(courtesy: Alienadv)

Thrissur has a wild life sanctuary called Chimmini wild life sanctuary. It was established in 1984. The sanctuary is home to lesser fishing eagle(which is recently thought to have existed only in the foothills of Himalayas), elephants, nilgiri languar, wild dogs, lion tailed Macaque and the slender loris. There is also a native tribe living in the Sanctuary. Apart from the sanctuary, the town itself is very well blended with nature, with lush greenery and plenty of birds, aquatic life and other small animals. People living here also seem to appreciate nature, with themes related to mother nature present in their art and music.

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam(courtesy: wikipedia)

Kerala Kalamandalam, deemed a University of Art and Culture by the Government of India, is a major center for learning Indian performing arts. The University offers courses in traditional classical arts such as kathakali, Mohiniyatam, Bharathanattyam, thullal etc it was established in 1930 and was visited by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, for it's silver jubilee. The Kalamandalam was established to revive traditional classical arts , as they were under threat during the British colonization.In 2010, Unisity Grants Commission(India) has given 'A' category status for Kerala Kalamandalam. Kalamandalam is the only deemed university in Kerala state accorded the prestigious status.

 

Waterfalls

Pattathipara waterfalls in Thrissur(courtesy:Rayirath)

 The terrain of  Thrissur, consists a number of waterfalls like Athirapilly waterfall and Vazhachal waterfall. Vazhachal Falls is situated in Athirappilly Panchayath of Thrissur district. Pattathippara waterfall is situated about 12 km from Thrissur town. Pattathippara is a cascade waterfall, where water descends in a series of rock steps. It's a three-tiered waterfall, which during the rainy seasons appears like a high single fall. The waterfalls of Thrissur receive many receivers even from outside India.For getting exciting trips to Kerala,click here.