Thrissur
For the district with the same name, see Thrissur district.
Thrissur (
Malayalam: തൃശ്ശൂര്) is a city situated in the center of
Kerala (
Malayalam: േകരളം) state,
India.It is the head quarters of
Thrissur District. Thrissur is the third largest city in Kerala after Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The city has a population of around 5 lakhs. It is an important cultural centre, and is known as the "cultural capital" of Kerala. It is famous for the
Thrissur Pooram festival, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala. The festival is held near the
Vadakkumnathan temple, in April or May. It has a large number of well-known temples, the Thiruvambady temple, the Vadakkumnatha temple and the Paramekkavu temple. The Kerala Police Academy (Second largest in India) is situated in this city.
The name
Thrissur is derived from 'Thiru-Shiva-Perur' (
Malayalam: തൃശ്ശിവേപരൂ൪) , which literally translates to "the place with three famous
Shiva temples", which are said to be - the Vadakkunathan temple, Asokeshwaram Shiva temple and the Irattachira Shiva temple. (Alternately, the name can be parsed as 'Thiru-Siva-Perur', the place with the holy name of Siva). Thrissur was also known as
Vrishabhadripuram and
Then Kailasam(Kailasam of the south) in ancient days.
Related Article:
History of Thrissur DistrictFrom very early times Thrissur has been a centre of learning and, with the decline of Buddism and Jainism and the establishment of the supremacy of Brahminism during the revival of Hinduism, Thrissur became an important centre of Sanskrit learning. The great Sankara Acharya had taught Advaita here. After his travels in different regions of India he is believed to have come back and settled in Thrissur and died here. Sankara Acharya's disciples Hastamalaka, Thotaka, Padmapada and Sudhachara established four Madoms in the city , namely the Northern Madom, the Middle Madom, the ln-Between Madom and the Southern Madom respectively.
The Cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur, gained prominence under the reign of Raja Rama Varma in 1790. The entire credit for the rise of the modern city of Thrissur goes to Raja Rama Varma, who ascended the throne of the state of Kochi.
Thrissur was for a brief period, the capital of the Kochi kingdom. The Shaktan Thampuran palace, which was the abode of the Cochin king, Shaktan Thampuran or Raja Rama Varma , was recently renovated by the ASI(Archeological Survey of India)
Long ago, the vast open area around the Vadakkumnatha temple was a magnificent teak forest called Thekkinkadu. Today, the forest has given way to one of the most important cultural and commercial hub of Kerala.
Thrissur is situated in south western India and is in the central part of
Kerala state,
India. Thrissur is at sea level and spans an area of about 66.15
km². The center of the city is the
Vadakkumnathan temple located on a small hillock.Thrissur round is one of the largest roundabouts in the world.
The city enjoys a tropical climate, the monsoons start in June. The months of April-May can get pretty humid which is also one of the best time to visit the city for the famed
Thrissur Pooram. The best weather is from October to February.
Thrissur can be called as the golden capital of India. Around 100 kilo grams of gold (Average) sale is taking place in city per day. Almost every major jewellery shops have their branches in the city. It is the major gold ornament designing and construction center in south India. Thrissur is also known for its chit companies. Around 2,000 such companies are located in Thrissur city itself. The other industries are diamond polishing and tyre moulding.
Thrissur has one Member of Parliament constituency. The current MP is Sri C.K.Chandrappan. The city mayor is Prof.R Bindu. The M.L.A of Thrissur City constituency is Sri Therampil Ramakrishnan.
Thrissur is well connected to other cities in
Kerala. It has good connectivity by both Rail and Road and is within 35 km from the new
Kochi International Airport and 80 km from the
Kozhikode Airport. Thrissur Railway Station is on the artery of the railway line that connects the Southern part of
Kerala with the rest of India. Thrissur also lies on the National Highway NH-47. It is well connected to nearby Cities and Towns like
Kochi,
Kozhikode and
Palakkad. Thrissur has one KSRTC Bus Station and three Private Bus Stands. The southern private bus stand is named after the ruler
Sakthan Thampuran and is in S.T.Nagar. The Northern Bus Stand is known as Vadakke Stand, which is a translation for Northern Bus Stand in the local language Malayalam. The third bus stand is at the M.O. Road and is called The Municipal Bus Stand.
Hindus and Christians constitute the bulk of the population of this city. Muslims are a minority in the city.
The Ezhava constitute the most important
caste among the Hindus of Thrissur. The Nairs are also numerically one of the strongest communities in Thrissur. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes also form a significant section among the Hindus of the city.
The Syrian Catholics, Latin Catholics, Jacobites, the Reformed Syrians and Protestants are some of the main sections of the Christian Community in the city .
Thrissur is built around a hillock, crowned by the famous Vadakkunathan (Siva) Temple, believed to have been founded by legendary
Parasurama. The temple is a classical example of Kerala style of architecture and houses several sacted shrines. It is believed that
Adi Shankaracharya spent his last days here.
Thrissur also has added to its name The
Church of Our Lady of Dolors, popularly known as the
New Church [called Puthenpalli locally]. It is the biggest church in
South Asia. The first church of India is also situated in Thrissur, the St. Thomas church at Palayoor. The Metropolitan of the
Chaldean Syrian Church (the name used for the
Church of the East in
India) is also headquartered in Thrissur, and many religious publications are printed by Mar Narsai Press. The major cultural attraction is the
Thrissur Pooram festival, celebrated during April - May, the Elephant Umbrella competition is spectacular, as richly caparisoned elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas take the deity around the main temple. The passionate drum concerts and the spectacular firework displays are all part of the Pooram celebration. Another attraction of Thrissur City is the "Puli Kali"("Puli" = Tiger & "Kali" = Play) on the fourth day of Onam celebrations(Nalaam Onam). It is a procession of different clubs from all over the city and everyone will be in the make up of tiger. It attracts thousands of people to the city.
Kerala Sahithya Akademy,
Sangeetha Nataka Akademy and
Kerala Lalithakala Academy are head quartered at Thrissur making the epithet 'cultural capital of Kerala' more meaningful.
For the last few years, city has been hosting the Thrissur International Film Festival(TIFF). Around 100 films from 35 countries are taking part in the festival. It is the second largest film festival in Kerala after the one in Thiruvananthapuram.
Major Schools are:
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S.N.B.H.S, Kanimangalam (Kerala & Malayalam)
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Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kolazhi
External link (Syllabus : CBSE & Medium : English)
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Nirmala Matha Central School, East Fort (Syllabus : CBSE & Medium : English)
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Kendriya Vidyalaya (Kerala & English)
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Model Boy's High School, Palace Road (Kerala & English)
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Model Girl's High School, Round East (Kerala & English)
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Sacred Heart Girl's High School, St.Mary's College Road (Kerala & English)
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Vivekodhayam High School (Kerala & English)
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St.Anne S.C.G.H School, West Fort (Kerala & Malayalam)
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Holy Family High School, Chembukkaavu (Kerala & English)
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Gurukulam Public School, Poonkunnam (Kerala & English)
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Don Bosco School, Mannuthy (Kerala & English | Malayalam)
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Harishree Vidya Nidhi School, Poonkunnam (CBSE)
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Holy Angels High School, Ollur (Kerala & English)
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Infant Jesus E.M School, Aranaatukara
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St.Joseph Model High School, Kuriachira (Kerala & English)
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St.Joseph's E.M School, Mission Quarters (Kerala & English)
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N.S.S High School, West Fort (Kerala & English)
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C.M.S High School, Round West (Kerala & Malayalam)
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Vidya Nikethan E.M School, Nellikunnu (Kerala & English)
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Vivekananda Public School, Ayyanthole {CBSE)
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St,Thomas High Scool, College Road (Kerala & English)
Major Institutions of Higher Educations are:
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Keltron IT education Center*
Government Engineering College, Cheroor
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Jubilee Mission Medical College, Mission Quarters
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Achutha Menon Memorial Government College, Kuttanellur
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Sree Kerala Varma College*
Chinmaya Mission College*
St. Thomas College, Thrissur, College Road
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St. Marys College, Thrissur, Convent Road
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Vimala College, Cheroor
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St. Alousias College, Elthuruthu
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Government College of Fine Arts, Aranatukara
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Government Law College, Ayyanthole
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Amala Medical College, Amala Nagar
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Chaithanya College, Shankara Iyer Road
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Co-Operative College, Shornur Road
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College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
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College of Banking & Co-operation, Mannuthy
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College of Horticulture, Mannuthy
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Forest College, Vellanikkara
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Vaidya Ratnam Ayurveda College, Thaikatussery, Ollur
University located in Thrissur City is:
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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
Major Polytechnic Institiutions are:
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Maharajas Technological Institute (M.T.I), Chembukaavu
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Women's Polytechnic, Nedupuzha
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Thyagarajah Polytechnic, Alagappanagar
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Govt.Medical College Hospital, M.G.Kavu
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Mother Hospital, Kanjani Road
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West Fort Hospital, West Fort
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West Fort Hightech Hospital, Guruvayur Road
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Elite Hospital, Koorkenchery
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Metropolitan Hospital, Kokkalai Road
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Jubilee Mission Medical College, Mission Quarters
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Amala Medical College, Amala Nagar
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Heart Hospital, S.T Nagar
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District Hospital, Round East
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Co-Operative Hospital, Shornur Road
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Aswini Hospital, Karunakaran Nambiar Road
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Balya Hospital for Children, S.T Nagar
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South Indian Bank H.O, Mission Quarters
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Catholic Syrian Bank H.O, St.Mary's College Road
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Dhanalakshmi Bank H.O, Naikanal, Round West
The leading newspapers of Kerala
Malayala Manorama,
Express,
Mathrubhumi ,
Desabhimani,
Kerala Koumudi and
Deepika have Thrissur editions. Doordarshan and a number of private Malayalam Channels are having regional studios in city. Malayalam ,Tamil ,English and Hindi movies are released in eight major theaters in city. The Press Club of Thrissur is situated in Round North.
Thrissur has a lot of Sporting tradition behind it. The veteran footballer
I.M Vijayan &
Joe Paul Anchery hails from this city.
Thrissur has a floodlit
Football Stadium, known as The Corporation Stadium near North Bus Stand. It also has an Indoor
Badminton Court and a Sports Authority of India (SAI) maintained
Swimming Pool with International facilities.
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Vadakkumnathan Temple This temple is a classical example of Kerala style of architecture and has many decorative murals and works of art. This is the venue of the world famous Thrissur Pooram Festival celebrated annually in April-May. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
*Lourde's Cathedral Situated near East Fort Square, turned to a Cathedral in 1995 with an underground chapel.
*Dollar's Bazillica(New Church) Situated in the heart of Thrissur City, the largest church of Asia as a gothic and historic style of architecture with 25,000 Sq.ft.
Temples in Thrissur City
Paramekkavu Bhagawathy Temple,Round East, Thrissur
Vadakkumnathan Temple,Thrissur
Thiruvambady Temple, Shornur Road, Thrissur
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Sri Maheswara Temple,Koorkenchery, Thrissur-7
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Poonkunnam Temple,Punkunnam,Thrissur-2
Churches in Thrissur City
The Church of Our Lady of Dolors(New Church or Dollar's Bazillica),Church Square
Lourde's Metropolitan Cathedral, East Fort
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St.Annes Church, West Fort
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St.Joseph's Church, Kuriachira
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St.Raphael's Church, Ollur
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Shakthan Thampuran Palace Named as Vadakkekara Palace, was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutch style in 1795 by Sri.Ramavarma Thampuran of the erstwhile Princely State of Cochin, well as Sakthan Thampuran(Greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty) is preserved by Archaeological Department.
*Archeological & Art Museum It has a good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewelers
*Zoo Thrissur Zoo is a major attraction for children and students with a variety of animals.
*Kerala Sahitya Academy Kerala Sahitya Academy was established on August 15, 1956. It aims at the development of Malayalam Language and Literature and works in co-operation with the Kendra Sahitya Academy in New Delhi. There is a good library attached to the Academy consisting of 2 sections the General Section & the Research Section.
*Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy This was established in 1962, the aim of the Academy is to promote the sculpture, painting and visual arts.
*Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy It is also located in city and was established on April 12, 1938. It's aim is to foster and develop Kerala Dance, Drama and Music and to promote through the cultural unity of Kerala. It works in close collaboration with the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy in New Delhi for the enrichment of Indian culture. A regional theatre is constructed in Thrissur with all modern facilities.
*Appan Thampuran Smarakam Established in 1976 at Ayyanthole where Sri.Ramavarma Appanthampuran who lived the Kumarapuram Palace. This is also a cultural Museum
*Vilangan Kunnu This hillock has been converted by the tourism department as an amusement park. While grown ups relish the scenic splendor from the hill top. Children can relax and play to their hearts.
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Satellite image of Thrissur*
Government Portal*
Government Portal 2*
For more informations *
Website of Thrissur Police*
Thrissur Round - (Swaraj Round)
Image:Pooram Elephant 1.jpg|An elephant carrying Thidambu during Thrissur Pooram festivalImage:Elephant Saluting.jpg|An elephant saluting Vadakkunathan during Thrissur pooram.Image:ThrissurPooram-Kuda.jpg|Kuda Mattam during Thrissur pooram festival.
