10 Places To Visit In Thrissur

Formerly known as Trichur, this popular city of Kerala is considered as the cultural capital of the state. This place is dotted with many cultural institutions, wildlife sanctuaries, backwater regions, waterfalls, temples, churches and picnic spots. Undoubtedly, it’s a haven for tourists, pilgrims, art connoisseurs, and wildlife lovers, alike.

Read on if you are eager or already planning to visit this picture-perfect city. The following list of top 10 visit-worthy places in Thrissur will surely help you in making your vacation memorable!

1. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

This 17th century temple is also nicknamed as ‘Dwarka of the South’. It is located on the banks of the river Ruthratheertha and attracts larger number of pilgrims and tourists, all year round. According to popular legends, this beautiful place of worship houses a 5000-year old idol of the chief deity, Lord Krishna, in the inner sanctum.

2. Guruvayoor Elephant Sanctuary

It is an abode to more than 60 elephants which belong to the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. This sanctuary is located almost 23km from the temple and extends over 10 acres of land. Whether you are a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast or a keen tourist, you will definitely love watching these huge beasts feeding, washing, and playing with each other!

3. State Museum of Thrissur

It was set up in the year 1885 and is the largest museum in the state of Kerala. Sprawled over an area of about 5.5 acres, this museum complex consists of Natural History and Art Museum and Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The separate wings for the museum contain many historical artifacts belonging to bygone era. It’s well-maintained landscaped gardens boasts of myriad species of flora and houses over 300 captive wild-animals.

4. Kerala Kalamandalam

This world-famous learning institute was set up in the year 1930 and functions as a deemed university with a large residential campus. Many traditional forms of art, music, dance, and drama are taught, here. Some of the dance forms taught in this cultural academy is Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Thullal, and Bharatnatyam. This place also hosts various artistic workshops and cultural events which attract hordes of visitors, throughout the year.

5. Athirapilly Falls

Famous for its waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and scenic beauty, this place is one of the most popular and busiest picnic spots in the region. Situated 60km away from Thrissur city, its waterfalls have their origin in the mountains of Sholayar and are surrounded by thick lush-green forests, everywhere.  The waterfall has also been featured in the blockbuster Indian movie ‘Bahubali: The Beginning’ as the place where the protagonist is born. You can also spend your time at the Sholayar Dam and the Theme Park, located nearby.

6. Chettuva Backwaters

This is one of the most photogenic spots in India and abroad. You can reach this place via road from Thrissur city. If you want to see the amazing scene of the backwaters meeting the sea, then you should visit the site named ‘Azhaimukam’. Several small and large islands are located nearby which can be accessed via boats. You can spend your time at one of the commercial Ayurveda resorts located on the larger islands to enjoy a one-of-its-kind holistic experience!

7. Peechi Dam

Not only this towering dam serves the irrigation needs of local farmers, but also attracts vacationers, wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers, in significant numbers. Teeming with exotic wildlife, this reservoir is situated 20-km away from the main Thrissur city, and is built across the river Manali. It is a great place to indulge in photography or go for elephant rides. Enjoy picnics with your loved ones and also checkout the available boating facilities to make your visit an unforgettable one!

8. Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary

This ‘World Biodiversity Site’ is located nearby the Peechi Dam and contains more than 100 odd varieties of birds, butterflies, and moths. This place is a worth a visit if you like trekking, nature walks, jungle safari, and camping trips. We assure you that you won’t regret the time you spent here!

9. Gokulam

Touted as ‘Vrindavan of South India’, this fascinating place occupies almost 100 acres of land. This place actually serves as the agriculture-land for growing varieties of cash crops, mainly, coconut, cashew, and palm dates. This region sends most of its harvested products to the neighboring temple, the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple.

10. Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours

This is the biggest church in Asia region and extends over an area of 2300 meters. ‘Puthen Palli’ is the local name for this much-visited church and it’s a true display of the Indo-Gothic style of architecture. Its 80-meter high bell tower named ‘Bible Tower’ is, unarguably, the largest church tower in Asia region. This beautiful tower displays intricately-carved wood and brass drawings and stained glass decorations.

Apart from the above-listed tourist hotspots, you can visit the Vadakkumnatha Temple whose main attractions are its sculptures and murals. If you are an ardent fan of literature and written words, then you should also add Appan Thampuran Smarkam to your travel itinerary. This literary hub, maintained by the Kerala Sahitya Academy, boasts of a wide collection oof books, magazines, and journals. With its fair share of temples, churches, beaches, natural habitats, and cultural centers, this city manages to draw hordes of tourists and adventure-seekers, every year.

So, book your tickets and start packing right away!