BEST OF THRISSUR WITH GURUVAYUR (FROM KOCHI)

At a distance of 1 Km from Thrissur Railway Station, Dolours Basilica (or Basilica of our Lady of Dolours) is believed to be the biggest and tallest Church in Asia.

Built in 1875, this Roman Catholic Church is also called Puthen Palli (New Church). This church was built with the support of Raja Rama Varma, Maharaja of Kochi. However, most of the current structure is the result of major renovation held in the 19th century. With built up area of 25,000 Sq. Ft, this Church has three towers, two at the front side and one at the rear (called as Bible Tower). The towers at the front are 146 feet tall and the rear tower is 260 feet in height.

This church is dedicated to Mother Mary. Eight music bells imported from Germany are special attractions of this church. The chapel has 15 altars. The church is famous for its Gothic style of architecture.

The church celebrates two festivals. Basilica Feast - last Sunday of November & Feast of Our Lady of Dolours - 15th September.

At a distance of 3 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Zoo is a major attraction in the city of Thrissur.

The zoo provides shelter for many endangered species like the Asiatic Lion, Tiger and the extremely rare lion-tailed macaque, etc. It has an impressive reptile house with King Kobra, Indian python, krait, etc. The reptile house is on of the best in South India.

The Zoo complex also has an impressive museum complex, which has a good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures, Kathakali figures and ancient jewellery. There are wonderful figures and good paintings in the museum. It also has a great collection of traditional Kerala lamps.

Zoo Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Monday
Museum Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Monday

At a distance of 2.5 km from Thrissur Railway Station, Archaeological Museum is an art and archaeological museum situated in Thrissur, Kerala. Located in the Thrissur Zoo compound, it is one of the prime Thrissur tourist places.

Archaeological Museum at Thrissur was originally started in the balcony of Thrissur Town Hall, as Sree Mulam Chithrasala (Picture Gallery) in 1938 under the patronages of the Government of Cochin. Later an archaeological gallery was attached to the Picture Gallery in 1948. It was shifted to Kollankode house at Chembukkavu in 1975 and named as Archaeological Museum. Later in 2005, it was again shifted to Sakthan Thampuran Palace at Chembukkavu near Vadakkechira Bus Stand of Thrissur.

The palace has been constructed in a unique combination of Dutch and traditional Kerala styles of architecture. The palace is marked by high roofs, thick walls, large rooms, and Italian marble flooring. .....

At a distance of 2 km from Thrissur Railway Station, Thiruvambadi Krishna Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated in Thrissur, Kerala. Located to the north of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, it is one of the largest Krishna Temples in Kerala, and among the best Thrissur places to visit.

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the oldest record of the history of Thiruvambadi Temple dates back to the 16th century. The temple was formerly situated at Edakkalathur, 20 Km Northwest of the Trichur town. The idol was transported to the present place by villagers, and the custody was given to a childless couple at the Kandanath Mana. The couple installed the idol in a hall within their house premises. As ardent worshippers of Kodungallur Bhagavathy, they regularly used to visit the temple. When they grew old, they could not travel to Kodungallur often, and they installed the idol of Bhagavathi on the left side of the Lord Krishna .....

At a distance of 1 km from Thrissur Railway Station, Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in the city of Thrissur, Kerala. Also known as Thenkailasam or Vrishabhachalam, it is one the popular places of pilgrimage in Kerala, and among the must-visit places as part of Thrissur packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Vadakkumnathan Temple is one of the largest and ancient Lord Shiva temples in Kerala. It is believed that this is the first temple created by Lord Parasurama the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recommended 14 sites, including Vadakkumnathan Temple and palaces, from Kerala to include in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2012.

The temple was built at the time of Perumthachan from .....

At a distance of 2 Km from Thrissur Railway Station, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is one of the largest Bagavathi temples in Kerala. Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is one of the two groups participating in Thrissur Pooram (other participant being Thiruvambadi Temple).

With wonderful temple structure, this temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old. Dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy (an incarnation of Goddess Durga), this temple is very close to Vadakkumnathan Temple.

This temple is very popular for its traditional panchavadyam 'Palachottil Melom'.

At a distance of 27 km from Thrissur & 81 km from Kochi, Guruvayoor is a temple town well-known for the most famous Sri Krishna Temple. This is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites near Kochi, and among the must-visit places during Thrissur tour.
 
Guruvayur Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Guruvayurappan, a four-armed form of the Lord Vishnu who is worshipped in the form of his avatar Krishna. According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. Often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikunta, it is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and among the most prominent religious place to visit Thrissur.

The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century. In 1716, .....

At a distance of 28 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station & 3 Kms from Guruvayoor Temple, Punnathur Kotta was once the home of Punnathoor Zamorin (ruler), now an Elephant Sanctuary which is home for about 60 Elephants. The elephants housed at this sanctuary are brought for ritual offerings at Guruvayoor Temple.

The elephants offered to the Guruvayoor deity by rich devotees are given shelter at the sanctuary. Elephants are also trained for performing various rituals. These elephants are groomed for various ritualistic performances in festivals like Thrissur Pooram. You can also observe how sick elephants are given treatment with traditional medications.

Tips: Can be visited along with Guruvayoor.

At a distance of 32 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station & 4 Kms from Guruvayoor, St. Thomas Forane Church located in Palayoor is the oldest church in India, established by St.Thomas in 52 AD.

This is one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas the Apostle. A silver statue of St.Thomas on the roof and charming stone lamps are special features of the church. The main entrance of the church is decorated with 14 granite life size statues of various scenes from the life of St. Thomas. The jubilee door in front of the entrance to the main hall of the church portrays various important biblical events, carved in Burmese teak.

Palayoor Mahatheerthadanam is the main festival celebrated at this church. Devotees walk all the way from Thrissur to Palayoor church carrying wooden crosses.

At a distance of 4 km from Guruvayoor, and 32 km from Thrissur, Chavakkad Beach is a beautiful beach situated at Chavakkad near Guruvayoor. Lying on the coast of the Arabian Sea, it is one of the stunning beaches in Kerala, and among the top Thrissur tourist places.

Chavakkad Beach is known for its azure waters, clean sands, and serene environment. This famous beach spot is the only place in Trichur, where one can see the confluence of a river and sea, which is known as Azhimukam in Kerala. The beach is bordered by lovely coconut groves and palm trees.

From having a candlelight dinner at the beach to experiencing a romantic walk on the sizzling coastline of the Arabian Sea to a sun-kissed morning on the golden sands, the Chavakkad Beach has every reason to attract tourists as part of Thrissur sightseeing packages. It .....

At a distance of 17 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Vatanappally Beach is among the beautiful Kerala beaches. It is situated on the coastal belt of Thrissur District.

It is an enchanting strip of golden sand laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms. Today, this calm and pleasant beach is a dreamy destination for many tourists.

This beach is close to NH17 between kochi and Kozhikode and connected by many bus services from Thrissur.

At a distance of 21 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Sri Rama Temple is located in Thiripayar, close to NH17 on Kochi - Kozhikode route.

The idol of Sri Rama installed at this temple is believed to have been originally worshipped by Sri Krishna at Dwaraka. When Dwaraka was submerged, the idol of Sri Rama was lying on the sea shore along with the idols of Lakshmana, Bharata and Shaturghna, which was later brought and installed here.

This temple is famous for exquisite Wood Carvings, Sculptures and Mural Paintings. During the Onam festival in August / September, there is a snake boat race conducted near the temple in Kornoli kanal.The Ekadashi festival (November - December) is also celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.

Timings: 4.30 AM to 12.30 PM & 4.30 PM to 8 PM.

At a distance of 24 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Nattika Beach is the place to experience the exotic beauty of the nature. Nattika is a wide and virgin beach blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand.

This picturesque place offers beach holidays and package tours. The resorts in the beaches provide all modern facilities. Prime attractions include ride on country boats, elephant rides, deep-sea fishing & beach games.

At a distance of 38 km from Kochi & 36 Kms from Thrissur, Kodungallur, also known as Cranganore is a historical town located in Thrissur district on NH17 between Kochi and Kozhikode. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi and also an ideal getaway from Kochi for a short trip.

Kodungallur was the capital of Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera Ruler in the 7th century AD. Kodungallur is home for several important historical monuments:

- Bhagawati Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala with history of above 2000 years and was mentioned in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha
- Thomas the Apostle of Jesus is believed to have landed in Kodungallur with his followers in the year 52 AD. This place has become the earliest Syrian Christian centre of Malabar. Monuments built in the memory of Thomas still exist here, including St. Thomas Church.
- Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first mosque built in India in .....