A long name that I heard—Thrissur. I never imagined I would actually visit. But after this trip, I felt like I discovered a place that my soul absolutely needed to experience. The unique sense of peace, joy, and timelessness I found here in this part of India, I couldn’t find anywhere else, anywhere at all? This calls me again.
Today, the demographics of Kerala are evolving, yet it continues to uphold its ancient temples, traditions, rich culture, and devotion to its deities. The foundations laid by the Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas run so deep that every grain of Kerala’s soil echoes the same spirit it did centuries ago.
What I’m trying to say is that if we delve into Kerala’s cultural heritage, we find it to be among the most profound in India.
This state is truly remarkable, like Tamil Nadu, which is home to ancient and highly esteemed temples. In Kerala, there are some incredible temples, such as the Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad, which is dedicated to Vishnu, the Neerputhoor Temple for Shiva, and the Kodumon Chilanthiyambalam for the spider deity, along with Lord Padmanabhaswamy, also honoring Vishnu. These temples carry immense historical importance and continue to radiate a unique and special energy in India’s atmosphere, drawing people from all over India and beyond. This is truly a remarkable aspect of India.
That’s why I received a call from the Guruvayur temples. I did some more research online and decided to visit Guruvayur, which led me to check out some other amazing spots like the temples in Thrissur, the Athirapalli waterfalls, and the backwaters of Alleppey.
Location
Thrissur is a city located in Kerala state, in the southern part of India. Well connected by road and train. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (50 km).
Our journey
We took a train from Bengaluru to Thrissur, arriving at 6:30 AM. We spent a few hours in Thrissur, refreshing ourselves at the National Tourist Home for 3 hours before checking out three temples.
At 3 PM, we hopped on a government bus to Guruvayur, which took about an hour since it’s only 28 KM away. We stayed at a hotel in Guruvayur and explored the Marine Aquarium and Chavakkad Beach.
The next day, at 9:30 AM, we grabbed a taxi to Athirapalli, where we visited three waterfalls and returned to Guruvayur by 6:30 PM. The following day, we checked out three famous temples in Guruvayur and then took a government bus to Alleppey, which was a 5.5-hour journey.
Expenditure
The whole trip cost Rs. 36,000 with a 5N stay and a taxi trip from Guruvaur to Athirapalli waterfalls. It was a self-conducted tour. Mostly all journeys by train and auto and average hotels.
Where to stay
Since our stop in Thrissur was only to visit the three temples, we booked a room at National Tourist Home, which charges Rs.500 per person for a 2-3 hour stay. The hotel is conveniently located close to the temple and is tidy and maintained.
Let me now talk about Thrissur experiences
We arrived at Thrissur station at 6:30 AM. After stepping out, we found plenty of autos waiting around. We headed to the prepaid booth, and an auto took us to the National Tourist Home, which is about a kilometer from the station, for only Rs. 30. To my surprise, we didn’t have any issues with autos during our travels in Kerala. By 9:30 AM, we were all freshened up and made our way to Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, located roughly 1.5 km from the hotel.
Thrissur is well-known for three main temples: Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple, Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple, and Thiruvambady Krishna Temple. These were our top priorities for this trip since we had limited time.
Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple
This temple is around 1200 years old and may be renovated from time to time. The grounds are lush and green, making it very appealing and inviting for us to relax in a corner and soak in the energy and enthusiasm of Hindu beliefs.
The vibrant beauty of the culture can be felt and seen here. The vibe is quite sacred; although there are people around, it doesn’t feel crowded because the campus is so spacious.
The dress code is pretty clear: guys need to come into the temple without a shirt, while ladies can wear their regular shalwar kameez or saree.
Visitors here offer a small cradle for baby Krishna, hoping that a newborn will come into their family as Lord Krishna. That’s why couples who haven’t had kids also come here.
The second temple of Maa Bhagwathy is just a walking distance of half a km from the above temple.
Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple
The dress code is pretty strict here for men: guys need to enter the temple only in lungi, while ladies can wear their regular shalwar kameez or saree.
Autos are readily available for Rs.30 to 50, and all these attractions are within a mere 3 km radius.
Thiruvambady Krishna Temple
This temple is located about a kilometer from the previous one, and we got dropped off here by auto for Rs.30. It’s quite popular and right in the center of town, just like the other two temples. We also witnessed the “parikrama” with elephants, priests, and pilgrims. We joined in on the procession too.
The museum and zoo are definitely on our agenda, but since it was Monday, they were closed. I’ve heard that the museum is a must-see and is located in the old palace of the king from the 1920s. We also made a quick stop at the largest church in Kerala.
We paid a flying visit to famous church. It is the largest church in Kerala is the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours. It is also the tallest church in India and the third tallest in Asia, featuring a prominent Gothic architectural style.
By the time we wrapped up those wishlists, it was already 2:30 PM. Five hours had flown by, and we were really hungry. The auto driver took us to the well-known Bharat Cafe, where we grabbed some snacks like carrot halva, dosa, and idly. They also serve meals at this cafe.
After breakfast, we asked the auto driver to pick up our luggage from the hotel and take us to the Thrissur bus stand. There are plenty of buses running from Thrissur to Guruvayur. We hopped on a government bus, and it got us to Guruvayur in just an hour for only Rs. 28.
Epilogue
Thrissur and Guruvayur might not be as well-known or celebrated as places like Thanjavur, Rameshwaram, Padmanabha Temple, or Tirupati, but they have a unique vibe of spirituality and tranquility that’s hard to describe.
These locations are also cultural symbols, echoing the rich history of Kerala’s Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas.
Thrissur is often referred to as the cultural capital of Kerala because it hosts some of the most renowned temple festivals, including Thrissur Pooram, Arattupuzha Pooram, Kodungallur Bharani, and Onam, featuring spectacular elephant parades, lively percussion groups, and dazzling fireworks.
The city is also home to Kerala Kalamandalam, the leading institution for studying traditional performing arts. It serves as a hub for spiritual and religious heritage. Thrissur boasts ancient temples like the Vadakkunnathan Temple, along with historically significant churches and mosques located a bit outside the town.
Additionally, it is the birthplace of several cultural institutions, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi (Literature Academy), Kerala Lalithakala Akademi (Fine Arts Academy), and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi (Performing Arts Academy), all of which have their headquarters here.
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