@ Thrissur : The Cultural Capital of Kerala

 (August 2025 - Thrissur / Thrissivaperoor & Guruvayur,  Thrissur District, Kerala) 

@ Sakthan Thampuran Palace, Thrissur

The view from the train after crossing Coimbatore Junction was exquisite. The mighty beauties of the South - those imposing and wild Western Ghats kissing clouds; further afar - Kerala's longest river, BharathaPuzha runs parallel, teasing with occassional, shy & sneaky glimpses.....

Our Lady of Dolours Basilica - India's tallest Church

Lord Parashurama - Mural from a Saiva Temple, Thrissur

It was late night when I alighted at Thrissur, abode of the holiest and oldest Shaiva temple of Kerala - Sri Vadakkumnathan. Thrissur, formerly Thrissivaperoor is the third largest city of Kerala, regarded as God's Own Country's cultural capital. Associated with Lord Parashurama, the Avatar of Lord Sri Mahavishnu, Sri Vadakkumnathan Temple, an example of Traditional Kerala architecture, is located in the centre of the city, on a hillock. A morning visit to the large and sprawling temple is a divine experience. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vadakkumnathan, and has subsidary shrines dedicated to Lord Sankaranarayana, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati. The Chootambalam / Akathe Balivottam has mural paintings with Mahabharata theme and the Shiv Linga is covered in Ghee oblations, resembling and representing Mt.Kailash i.e, Dakshina Kashi. The Paramekkavu Bagavathy temple, with Goddess Bagavathy (a local manifestation of Goddess Adi Sakti / Durga) as presiding deity and the Thiruvembady Krishna Temple dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna are other two towering temples of Thrissur. Interestingly, in temples of Kerala, men are not allowed to visit the shrine of the deity (Chootambalam / Akathe Balivottam) with upper garments.

 

@ Sri Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur

@ Sri Guruvayurappan Temple, Guruvayur

   

Although a few centuries old, the city of Thrissur, in it's modern sense, was planned and developed largely by Raja Rama Varma Kunji Pillai / 'Sakthan Thampuran' (r.c.1790-1805 CE), the Raja of Kochi. The iconic annual Thrissur Pooram festival organized in Thekkinadu Maidanam surrounding Sri Vadakkumnathan Temple is also a practice traced to Sakthan Thampuran. The Sakthan Thampuran Palace / Vadakacchera Palace, the official residence of Sakthan Thampuran is a great example of Kerala Dutch architecture and now houses a museum, with a Sacred Groove / Heritage Gardens nearby. The Kollengode Palace & Mural art museum, the Zoo & Museum, Our Lady of Dolurs Basilica (incidentally, India's tallest Church with Asia's tallest Church tower) are other attractions of Thrissur.

 

Ann Kotta / Punnathur Kotta Elephant Camp

@ Ann Kotta / Punnathur Kotta Elephant Camp

  

I took a train (Morning Passenger) to Guruvayur, also located in Thrissur district from Thrissur, which took almost 45 minutes. The iconic red tile gabled Guruvayurappan Temple, dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna, is a legendary temple, attracting teeming millions. It is truly unfortunate that I could not have a Darshan, as it was a Friday, and Special Pujas were being conducted, and there was a heavy rush. The Devaswom museum nearby is a good place to acknowledge various artifacts on display. Mammayur Mahadeva Temple (Saiva), Parthasarthy Temple (Vaishnava) are other famous temples of Guruvayur, which I had the good fortune of visiting and praying. 3 kms away from Guruvayur, Ann Kotta / Punnathur Kotta possesses an Elephant Sanctuary / Camp, under the aegis of Guruvayur Devaswom, and it is a great place to observe Elephants in their element. 

 

Western Ghats near Palakkad - view from Train

Western Ghats near Palakkad - view from Train

 

The Cultural Capital of Kerala offered me a much needed break from the humdrum of monotony.            

         
@ Thrissur : The Cultural Capital of Kerala.

Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.
26th of August, 2025.

A day in Fort Kochi : The Queen of the Arabian Sea

(August 2025 - Fort Kochi, Ernakulam District, Kerala)

@ Indo Portuguese Museum, Bishop's House, Fort Kochi

Basion Bunglow / Ernakulam Distirct Heritage Museum

A row of neatly suspended Chinese fishing nets greeted me, as I alighted at Fort Kochi Water Metro station - a curios and iconic Chinese innovation of Medieval times, that was brought by  the Portuguese and mastered by Local fisherfolk. The ride on Lake Vembanad from High Court Metro Station to Fort Kochi took around 45 minutes and Rs.50/-, and is a part of India's first water metro, and the largest of it's kind in Asia, the Kochi Water Metro (KWM) service. Fort Kochi is the western part of Kochi, separated by Lake Kochi / Lake Vembanad from Ernakulam owing to flooding of rivers like Periyar in late 14th Century CE, which, from that point of time, rivalled Kozhikode and excelled in due course. The legend of Lord Parashurama , an Avatar of Lord Sri Mahavishnu, reclaiming land from the Sea with a Parasu (Axe) is an apt theme, earning the moniker, Parasurama Kshetra to God's Own Country, Kerala.

Ernakulam Marine Drive - View from Water Metro

@ High Court Water Metro Station

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

Fort Kochi offers a palate of diverse experiences - it's a vibrant place juxtaposing natural spots, souvenir shops, museums, cathedrals - a mix of India's colonial past and promise of a happening future. Bastion Bunglow, site of Fort Manuel, Asia's first European fortification exists a few yards down the beach road, now housing the District Heritage Museum. Two streets away, Vasco Da Gama's residence and his final resting place at St.Francis CSI Church is a must visit for the curious and the devout alike. The Portuguese first visited India via Sea route and set foot on Kerala, which was divided into various Independent Kingdoms (Swaroopams). Later, in succession - the Dutch and the British played the White Man's Burden - a violent progression that can be witnessed in the present day churches of Kochi - Originally constructed by Portuguese, but destroyed / renovated by Dutch, and finally falling into British hands.

@ Indian Naval Maritime Museum, INS Dronacharya Fort Kochi

St Francis CSI Church, Fort Kochi

Vasco Da Gama's Tomb @ St Francis CSI Church, Fort Kochi

The cloudy day offered a perfect foil to roam on the neat streets of Fort Kochi. The Indo-Portuguese Museum at the Bishop's house and the Grandiose Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica offered terrific insights into Kochi's vibrant past. INS Dronacharya -India's naval base housed the Indian Naval Maritime Museum, with exhibits on INS Khukri (Indo-Pak War of 1971), Indo-Portuguese war over Goa (1961) evoking pride.

@ Water Metro

@ Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi

(To be Continued..) 

         
A day in Fort Kochi : The Queen of the Arabian Sea.
Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.
24th of August, 2025.