Thrissur

Kerala's cultural capital, world-famous for the Thrissur Pooram parade of caparisoned elephants, with Guruvayur Temple, Kerala Kalamandalam and Vazhachal Falls nearby.

Thrissur lies in central Kerala, India. The former capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, it is known as the 'Cultural Capital of Kerala' and is home to the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Lalithakala Akademi. The city centres on the Vadakkunnathan Temple on the Thekkinkadu Maidan hill, ringed by Swaraj Round, the main commercial street, with historic sites such as the Sakthan Thampuran Palace and Our Lady of Dolours Basilica nearby. Thrissur Pooram, held every Apr–May, is one of India's most spectacular temple festivals. Climate: Oct–Mar is dry and pleasant, the best time to travel; Apr–May is hot but coincides with Pooram; Jun–Sep brings heavy southwest monsoon rains, when the waterfalls around Athirappilly and Vazhachal are at their fullest, though some outdoor activities are suspended. Itinerary: spend a day exploring the city's temples, palace and churches on foot; half a day northwest takes you to Guruvayur Temple and the Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary; head north to Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy to watch Kathakali classes; go south to Irinjalakuda and the Cheraman Juma Mosque in the ancient port of Kodungallur; or spend a day southeast at Vazhachal Falls and the rainforest (for Athirappilly Falls, see the Kochi & Alappuzha entry). Getting there: the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 55 km away; Thrissur railway station is on the Mumbai–Kerala main line, about 1–1.5 hours from Kochi. Most Hindu temples bar non-Hindus from the inner precincts; remove your shoes and dress modestly, and men are often required to go bare-chested. Allow 2–3 days.

Top sights

• Vadakkunnathan Temple – A thousand-year-old Shiva temple in the centre of Thrissur, a model of traditional Kerala timber architecture and murals, and the heart of…
• Thrissur Pooram & Thekkinkadu Maidan – Kerala's grandest temple festival, with dozens of elephants in ceremonial dress facing off in the temple square, swapping decorated parasol…
• Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple – One of South India's most important Krishna temples, known as the 'Dwarka of the South', drawing thousands of pilgrims every day.
• Kerala Kalamandalam – A traditional Kerala arts school founded in 1930 by the poet Vallathol, where visitors can watch training classes in Kathakali, Koodiyattam…
• Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary – This elephant sanctuary, set in the courtyard of a former royal palace, is run by a temple in Guruvayur and houses dozens of temple elephan…
• Vazhachal Falls – A stepped waterfall on the Chalakudy River in the rainforest of the Western Ghats, about 5 km upstream from the Athirappilly Falls.
• Sakthan Thampuran Palace – A palace in a blend of Dutch and Kerala styles, rebuilt by King Sakthan Thampuran of the Kingdom of Cochin. It now serves as an archaeologi…
• Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthanpally) – One of the tallest churches in Asia, its Gothic twin towers and central Bible Tower stand about 79 meters high. You can climb the tower for…
• Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral – The cathedral of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, known for its underground chapel and white dome.
• Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple – One of the two main host temples of the Thrissur Pooram festival, located just east of Thekkinkadu Maidan and dedicated to the goddess Bhag…
• Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple – The other main host temple of the Thrissur Pooram festival, dedicated to Krishna and the goddess. On festival days, temple elephants enter…
• Thrissur Zoo & State Museum – An old zoo that opened in 1885, with a natural history museum and an art museum on its grounds. It suits a half-day trip with children.
• Peechi Dam – A mountain reservoir about 20 km east of Thrissur, with a dam garden and lake views that are a weekend retreat for city residents. It borde…
• Vilangan Kunnu – A small hill park on the northwestern outskirts of Thrissur. From the summit you can see rice paddies and the city, and it is where locals…
• Snehatheeram Beach – The most popular beach park in Thrissur District, with a coconut-palm promenade, sculptures and sunsets. Its name means 'Shore of Love.'
• Cheraman Juma Masjid – Said to date from 629 AD, this is India's first mosque, built in traditional Kerala timber style in Kodungallur, the ancient port of Muziri…
• Kodungallur Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple – One of Kerala's oldest goddess temples, dedicated to Kali, which draws large crowds of red-clad devotees during the annual Bharani festival.
• Koodalmanikyam Temple – One of the few temples in India dedicated to Bharata, brother of Rama, located in Irinjalakuda. Its festival is famous for all-night kathak…
• Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary – A forest reserve southeast of Thrissur, where bamboo rafting on Chimmini Dam and forest hikes may bring sightings of elephants, Indian gaur…

Where to eat

• Hotel Bharath – Pure vegetarian institution founded in 1964, often called Thrissur's most famous restaurant.
• Hotel Akshaya (High Road Branch) – One of Thrissur's busiest non-veg restaurants, famous for fish curry meals and fried pearl spot.
• Pathans Vegetarian Restaurant – A long-established pure vegetarian restaurant on Swaraj Round, directly facing the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
• Mani's Cafe – A small vegetarian eatery open for over 50 years; locals recommend it for the city's best ghee dosa.