@ 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.