There
are
several
important
points
of
tourist
attraction
in
Thrissur.
Vadakkunnathan
Temple
This
is
not
just
another
place
for
worship.
It
has
been
the
repository
of
culture
and
heritage
unparalelled
in
Kerala
history.
Vadakku
does
not
represent
North
and
it
is
the
corruption
of
the
word
'Edvam'
or
'Sacred
Bull'.
Kunnu
is
the
Malayalam
word
for
a
hillock
Edvakkunnathan
thus
became
Vadakkunnathan.
The
deity
is
Lord
Siva
represented
by
'Mahalingam'
which
now
cannot
be
seen
due
to
the
mount
formed
by
the
traditional
offerings
or
abhisheka
with
ghee.
The
exquisite
murals
on
this
shrine
narrate
the
story
of
the
epic
Mahabharatha.
The
decorative
wall
paintings
and
carvings
alone
are
worth
a
visit.
On
the
left
of
the
entrance
one
can
see
the
famous
Kuthambalam
a
beautiful
structure
with
an
elegant
sloping
roof
of
metal
plates.
Ancient
dramatic
form
of
Chakkiar
Koothu
is
staged
here.
Archaeological
Museum
This
is
situated
beside
the
Town
Hall
Road.
Several
relics
and
heirlooms
of
archaeological
importance
are
kept
here.
Art
Museum
The
art
museum
in
a
separate
building
in
the
Zoo
compound,
is
a
treat
for
the
connoisseur
of
art.
Good
collection
of
wood
carvings,
metal
sculptures
and
ancient
jewelry
are
preserved
here.
Puthan
Palli
This
is
one
of
the
tallest
churches
in
Asia
and
is
known
for
its
Gothic
model
of
architecture.
Vilangankunnu
Eight
Km.
journey
from
the
town
on
the
Kunnamkulam
road
leads
to
this
picturesque
hillock
known
for
its
scenic
splendour
overlooking
the
sprawling
town
and
country
side.
Academies
Kerala
Sahithya
Akademy,
Sangeetha
Nataka
Akademy
and
Kerala
Lalithakala
Academy
are
head
quartered
at
Thrissur
making
the
epithet
'cultural
capital
of
Kerala'
more
meaningful.
Arattupuzha
Arattupuzha
Temple,
situated
16
Kms
away
from
the
town
on
the
Thrissur-
Kodungallor
road,
is
known
for
its
annual
pooram
festival
held
in
April-May
every
year
which
is
one
of
the
most
colourful
carnivals
of
Kerala.
Peechi
Dam
This
enchanting
picnic
spot
situated
20
Kms
east
of
Thrissur
offers
boating
facilities
in
the
reservoir.
One
can
see
tuskers
on
the
bank
of
this
reservoir
Cheraman
Juma
Masjid:
Kodungallur
constructed
in
AD.629
is
famous
as
the
first
mosque
erected
in
India
and
also
the
first
in
India
and
second
in
the
world
where
the
Juma
prayers
were
started.
People
from
far
and
near
irrespective
of
caste
and
creed
visit
this
holy
place
and
pay
their
homage.
Idul
Fitar
(Ramsan)
and
Idul-Asha
(Bakrid)
are
celebrated
here
on
a
grand
scale.
Athirappally
and
Vazhachal
water
Falls
A
shimmering
expanse
of
tranquil
beauty
this
waterfall,
of
80
feet
height
30
Kms.east
of
Chalakkudy.
Athirappally
attracts
a
large
number
of
eco
tourists.
Vazhachal
another
water
fall
is
5
Kms.
away
from
Athirapally.
One
cannot
but
watch
this
without
breath
taking
splendour.
Guruvayoor
Temple
Guruvayoor,
one
of
the
most
sacred
and
important
pilgrim
centres
of
Kerala,
is
29
Kms.
north
west
of
Thrissur.
The
main
attraction
is
a
temple
dedicated
to
Lord
Krishna
popularly
known
as
Guruvayoorappan.
People
throng
here
in
large
numbers
for
worship
the
year
round.
Kerala
Kalamandalam
Kerala
Kalamandalam
at
Cheruthuruthy
was
founded
in
1930
by
Mahakavi
Vallathol.
It's
main
objective
is
to
revive,
preserve
and
develop
the
ancient
and
traditional
art
form
of
Kerala
particularly
Kathakali.
Now
the
Kerala
Kala
Mandalam
is
functioning
at
Vallathol
Nagar
with
its
new
building
complex
at
Natyagraha.
The
old
Kerala
Kala
Mandalam
is
still
at
Cheruthuruthy
on
the
shore
of
Nila
River
(Bharathapuzha).
The
Samadhi
(Tomb)
of
the
Poet
Vallathol
the
founder
of
this
famous
institution
is
in
the
premises
of
old
Kala
Mandalam.
Palayur
Church:
The
Catholic
Syrian
church
of
Palayur
is
one
of
the
seven
churches
founded
by
St.
Thomas.
The
feast
falls
on
July
15
and
many
pilgrims
from
different
parts
of
India
visit
the
church.
Koodalmanickam
Temple
(Irinjalakuda):
The
Koodalmanickam
temple
is
an
ancient
and
historic
one
situated
in
Manavalassery
village
about
10
Kms.
from
Irinjalakuda
Railway
station.
Lord
Bharatha
is
the
deity
of
the
temple.
The
festival
is
held
annually
for
11
days
in
Medom
(April-May)
Mar
Thoma
Pontifical
Shrine
Kodungallur
(Azhikode):
Nineteen
hundred
years
ago
the
first
missionary
of
Christianity
to
India,
St.Thomas,
the
Apostle
set
his
foot
at
Kodungallur.
The
Mar
Thoma
Pontifical
Shrine
a
monument
to
him
is
situated
here.
It
is
a
historic
pilgrim
centre
of
the
Indian
Christians.
The
main
feast
of
the
church
is
celebrated
on
November
21
every
yea