Thrissur(Trichur) |
The name of this town, often called the cultural capital of Kerala, derives from `Tiru-Shiva-Perur' or the town with the name of Lord Shiva. Appropriately enough, the town is built around a hillock atop which is its most prominent feature, the Vadakkumnathan |
| Kshetram or temple which has Shiva as its presiding diety and is also famous for
the most spectacular Pooram festival. Adi Shankaracharya is supposed to have spent his
last days in this temple. Trichur was once the capital of the old Cochin State before it was shifted to Ernakulam. Trichur district has the highest percentage of literacy in India. The Kerala Kalamandalam, the Kerala Sahitya Academy and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are all situated in and around Trichur, as are the Nataka Niketan, the Nritta Kalalayam and the Rama Varma Research Institute. These centres have lent the town the status of Kerala's cultural capital. ACCESS While the nearest airport is at Cochin, 78 km away, Trichur is an important railway station on the Southern Railway and is linked to most major towns inside and outside Kerala. Motorable roads connect Trichur to several important centres. PLACES OF INTEREST Vadakkumnathan Temple, Town Hall, Zoo, Art Museum, State Archaeological Museum, Nehru Park and Aquarium. EXCURSIONS Guruvayur (Hindu pilgrimage centre having Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, 32 km), Punnathur Kotta (famous for the large number of temple elephants, 36 km), Cheruthuruthy (famous for the Kerala Kalamandalam and the Kathakali dance, 29 km), Peechi Dam (Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, 23 km), Vilangankunnu (hilly picnic spot, 7 km), Kodungallor (the junction where the river meets the sea, 36 km), Triprayar (Rama Temple, 25 km), Irinjalakunda (Bharatha Temple, 21 km), Athirampally (Waterfall), and Vazhachal (Waterfall). ACCOMMODATION Casino Hotels Limited (2-star), T.B. Road, Trichur. Phones: 24699 (7 lines); Fax: 0487-399037. Hotel Elite International (2-star), Chembottil Lane, Round South, Trichur. Phone: 21033; Fax: 0487-399057. Hotel Aliya International, R.S. Road, Thrissur. Phones: 27169, 25226; Telex: 0883-255 KRLI IN; Fax: 0487-24202. Yatri Niwas, (KTDC) Stadium Road. |