Thrissur has for a long time served as the historical, cultural and religious focal point of Kerala.

Referred to as the “Cultural capital of Kerala” this city truly reflects the religious confluence seen in India. The city derives special mention in Indian history owing to the fact that it served as the points of entry for Christianism, Judaism and Islam into India. Thrissur also boasts of a great academic lineage and is home to several academic institutions.

For those who are looking to visit Kerala, a tour to Thrissur is a must to understand the rich cultural and religious history of the state.

History of Thrissur

Thrissur was historically a part of Musiris, the erstwhile capital of the Chera Empire. With the resurgence of Brahminism or the intellectual class the city flourished as a centre of Sanskrit learning. The great Hindu saint Shankaracharya is thought to have spread his Advaita philosophy here. This city is also where he breathed his last. However the city didn’t always go through good times. The political wrangling which followed the collapse of the second Chera Empire shook much of Kerala. The city wore a deserted and neglected look. Later years saw a revival under Sakthan Thampuran. The European nations were fighting for supremacy over the Kerala coast and Thiruvananthapuram had become unsafe. Hence the Thampuran moved to Thrissur and brought it back to life.

Tourism in Thrissur

Being the confluence of many religions Thrissur has many famous temples and churches. The city was constructed around a hillock. This is now called Thekkinadu Maiden and houses the Vadakkumnathan temple. The Paramekkavu temple and Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple are amongst other prominent temples while the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours and Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral count as amongst the most famous churches.

During the months of April to May the Thrissur Pooram festival is celebrated. It attracts scores of people from all over Kerala and is characterized by a procession of richly decorated elephants. Fireworks set ablaze the night sky and add a beautiful dimension to the festivities. This was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran and is perhaps the single biggest festival in Kerala.

The festival also marks the rivalry between two local divisions namely the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. Each of them hosts 15 elephants in separate processions not to mention the dazzling fireworks display. They try to outdo each other in terms of grandeur and this rivalry adds a certain excitement to the festival.

During the months of August or September the festival Onam is celebrated all across Kerala.  During Onam the Pulikali event is held in Thrissur adding to its many charms.

Thrissur is also home to many cultural and literary institutions. The Kerala Sahitya Academy is a centre for literary excellence, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy for performing arts and the Kerala Lalithkala Academy for fine arts and sculpting.

Most tourists loved to bask in the beauty of “God’s own country” as Kerala is often called. There is no better way to capture the shimmering beauty of this gorgeous state in all its cultural and historical glory than by visiting Thrissur. So ensure that your package tour features this cultural potboiler.