Kerala, the land of rivers and backwaters, is a green strip of land in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. In Kerala you can experience freshness and touch of mother earth in every where.This is the reason why the keralites calling their State "God's Own Country" Kerala.
The major tourist destinations in the State include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Munnar, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sabrimala.
Chavakkad Beach is located in Thrissur District in Kerala State. It lies on
the coast of Arabian Sea and attracts domestic and international tourists. Fringed
shadow of coconut lagoons and the mesmerizing atmosphere make Chavakkad Beach a
tourist spot throughout the year. Chavakkad Beachis the place where the sea confluences with a
river. The meeting point is known as Azhimukam. It is counted amongst Kerala’s
most popular beaches because the beach is unexplored by domestic tourists.
How to reach
Nearest railway station:Thrissur/ Guruvayur Railway Station
Nattika is located at a distance of 30 KM from Thrissur. Attractions
in Nattika include backwater cruises, country boat rides, elephant rides,
cultural performances in addition to the beach. Nattika beach was known as
Attakuzhi bandhar kadapuram before. Nattika is on the west coast of
Thrissur.Canoly canal is the eastern border of Nattika. There is a private bus
stand in Triprayar.Nattika is 60 km away from cochin air port and 25 km away
from Trichur railway station.
How to reach
Nearest railway station:Thrissur, about 30 km
Nearest airport:Cochin International Airport, about 55 km
Azhikode lighthouse is situated about 8 km west of
Kodungallur in Kerala. There was no lighthouse in the present location prior to
this being inaugurated on 30 April 1982. The concrete tower of the lighthouse
has a height of 30 meters.It is also known as Periyar River Light.
Characteristic and Range: Three white flashes every 20
seconds; range 24 nautical miles.
Description of Tower: Square concrete tower; lower half
skeletal, upper half enclosed; black and white bands; lantern roof is red.
The Tali Mahadevar temple ,popularly known as 'Thiruma
thaliyappan' temple Is located near Varavur Thali at Nedumpurayur in Thichur
village,Varavoor Panchayath, Talappilly taluk . It is one of the oldest temples
in the district of Thrissur. The temple is a protected monument of the Kerala
State Department of Archaeology.
The old name of Sree Thirumathaliyappan Siva temple was
'Sree Nithyavichareswarathu Kshetram'. The local tradition about the temple is
that, it is one of the one hundred and eighth siva temples established by
Perumals who ruled from Mahodayapuram, the present day Kodungallur. People also
believe that one of the Cheraman Perumals ruled from Nedumpuryur and his palace
could be located near the temple. A big tank extending about 12 acres locally
known as 'Arakulam' is located 400 meters east of the temple. Kodungallur
(Mahodayapuram), the capital of the Perumals also has a very big tank known as
'Arakulam'. On the top of a near by hill near the Thirumathaliyappan temple
there is a Kizhthali temple. A Kizhthali temple is also located at Kodungallur
near the palace complex. The temple names of Kizhthali and Nedumpuram Thali are
remains of evidences of the rule Perumal from Nedumprayur.
The Archaeological Museum( Formerly known as Sree Mulam
Chithrasala Archaeological Museum), Thrissur was started as Sree Mulam
Chithrasala (picture Gallery) in 1938 under the auspices of the Govt.of Cochin.
Initially situated at the Town Hall Road, the museum now stands tall and
delightful at the Kollengode Palace. The vast collection of murals and relics
from all over Kerala make this museum an architectural marvel to view. The
museum also houses life-size statues of famous and eminent personalities like
kings, famous artists, tribal chiefs etc. Many intricately created miniature
models of old buildings and temples are carefully preserved here. Firmly placed
are the manuscripts, known as olagrandhangal, that store the written history of
the place, penned on dry palm leaves. Most of the artifacts displayed at the
museum were recovered from the forests of Thrissur and Wayanad districts.
The Archaeological Museum is popular for the beautifully
copied mural paintings, considered to be masterworks of artists, like T.R.
Madhava Warrior, V.S. Unni Nair, and N.O. Antony. One of the pride possessions
of the museum is a rare collection of stone engravings and carvings, called
Veerakallu in the local language. Other exhibits on display at the museum
include an array of megalithic wares and pottery, urn burials, russet coated
wares, Stone Age tools, items excavated from north Indian civilizations like
Harappa and Indus Valley Civilization, stone sculptures dating back to the 7th
century, and bronze sculptures dating back to the 10th century. The Museum has
the largest collection of excavated materials from Megalithic Sites in Kerala.
Excavated materials from Nenmeni Village, near Kollangode also are exhibited in
this Museum.
The museum is a treasure of ancient artifacts set up in a
building, constructed by the king of Kollangode for his daughter. The building
showcases a unique blend of traditional Kerala architecture with Western
designing. The Archaeological Museum at Thrissur is a place where history comes
alive in all its forms, be it painting, sculpture, culture, religion,
performing arts, architecture, or literature. The archaeologists consider the
museum to be one of the most complete museums in India in terms of availability
of artifacts and diversity in the types of remnants.
Visiting time:
Museum- 10 am to 5 pm.The
museum is open to public all days except Mondays
Kerala Kalamandalam, the cultural repository of Kerala,
founded in 1930, by the famous poet Vallathol Narayana Menon to revive the art
and dance form of Kerala, which was heralded as Kerala's first institution to
provide training in classical performing arts. Kalamandalam is an immortal name
in the cultural map of the world. The introduction of Kalamandalam gave rebirth
to the two classical forms of dancing, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali, which were
slowly loosing importance. It is situated 32 km from Thrissur, on the banks of
Bharathapuzha river in Cheruthuruthy.
The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple,
pure and ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries. The
Koothambalam - the traditional dance theatre - at Kalamandalam is the only one
in the State which is built outside a temple complex. Constructed according to
vikrushtra madhya, one of the three natya grihas (theatres) specified in sage
Bharatha's Natyasasthra - a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C,
the theatre is 14.62 m long and 7.31m wide and has four wooden pillars
supporting it. It has three main parts - the aniyara (green room), the rangam
(stage) - the space on front and side of it meant for the audience, and the
mridanga-patha (where the drum is kept).
The Institution also offers training in other traditional dance forms of Kerala like Koodiyattam,Ottam
Thullal ,Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Panchavadyam, Thullal and other arts form
like music, drama, and other dance forms. Kalamandalam is strictly a
residential center of learning. Veteran teachers and talented students are its
inestimable wealth. For art-recitals held in Kalamandalam and outside, artist-teachers
and students participate. Many internationally recognized artists in classing
dancing have been trained here and the kalamandalam has contributed greatly in
imparting dance training for over the past 82 years. August to March are the
most favorable months for visiting Cheruthuruthy.
How to Reach:
Nearest railway station: Shornur, Thrissur.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 80 km.
Peechi Dam, 23 km from Thrissur is the main irrigation
project of the city, What started as an irrigation project has now burgeoned
into a popular picnic spot ,which offers boating facilities at the reservoir.
The dam is built across the Manali River and is endowed with an immense
catchment area that stretches across an expanse of nearly 3200 acres. The
project is intended for irrigating 17555 Hetr land in Mukundapuram, Thalappally,
Thrissur and Chavakkad Taluk, through the left and right bank main canal and Branch
canals.
There are several lush green botanical gardens near by the
dam. This place is ideal for spending holidays. Boating and trekking are the
bonus of this dam site.You will see many tuskers and tigers during your
boating. Peechi wildlife sanctuary is located near to the dam. There are many
orchids and medicinal plants near by the area that are also making Peechi dam
very demanding. There are dense, moist deciduous forests and semi-evergreen
forests in the area of the dam. You might see Sambar, Spotted and Barking Deer,
Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs and more wild animals during boating.
The colorful and beautifully tended botanical gardens as
well as the rippling fountains accentuate the beauty of the place. The Peechi
Wildlife Sanctuary, located a mere 15 km away from Thrissur is also a big draw
with the tourists. Peechi, a small and picturesque town, sited at a distance of
23 km from Thrissur , is one of the ideal spots to attract tourists with its
vast catchment area, botanical gardens and lush green forests.
Vadakkumnathan Temple or Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the largest and ancient Shiva temples, situated in Thrissur district of Kerala. Also known as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam, the temple stands majestically on an elevated hillock right in the centre of the city. Hindu traditions say that the temple was built by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the legend creator of Kerala. Thrissur pooram, which is celebrated here every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may), witness millions of devotees from all over the land. The temple and the Mural paintings are declared as a National Monument by the Union Government under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
Vadakkunnathan temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 9 acres (36,000 m2). Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams each facing north, south, east and west directions. Apart from these four gopurams, there is a multi-shrined complex in the centre with three principal shrines dedicated to Shiva as Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana and Rama.
Thrissur town gets it name after this ancient Lord Shiva Temple. The real meaning of the name Thrissur is the 'Town with the name of Lord Shiva’.The ‘Pooram festival, falling in April/ May, attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world. It is a spectacular event, combining the majestic elephant pageantry with the frenzied playing of drums and cymbals and rounded off with a fireworks extravaganza.
KUDAMATTAM Elephants which carrying thidambu of both the bhagavathys along with the other elephants will come out
for the kudamattam from Vadakkumnathan temple through ThekkeGopura Nada.The elephants of thiruvambadi temple will stand facingsouth side and that of Paramekkavu will stand facing north side.
As the name indicates, it is the competition of parasols.Paramekkavuand Thiruvambadi devaswoms make a competition in presentingcolourful parasols each year.Both the side will keep on changing the parasols standing face to face and that will be feast for the eyes of the peoples.
Best Season: September to March Offering timings- 4.30 am to 11 pm, 5 pm
to 8.30 pm
How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur Nearest Airport:
Nedumbassery, 58 kms away
Guruvayur, 33km from Thrissur, is one of the most famous pilgrim centres in
South India. It is also known as the Dwaraka of the south. The temple which
dates back to the 16th Century, is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is known as
Guruvayurappan here. Legend has it that the temple was created by Guru, the
preceptor of the Devas and Vayu, the Lord of the winds.The major attraction is the temple of Lord Sree Krishna who is also called 'Guruvayurappan'.
The idol is said
to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple
Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional song,
'Narayaneeyam'. Thousands flock here every day with offerings.
Lord Krishna was born as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki in the dwapara yuga. He was not an ordinary boy! He performed wonderful deeds and everyone was convinced that the boy was none other than Lord Vishnu in human form, an avatar of Vishnu or the perfect manifestation of the supreme power. Before leaving the earth to the heavenly abode, Lord Krishna told Udhava, his foremost disciple that he had installed the image of Lord Vishnu in the temple built by him at Dwaraka. Later Dwaraka was submerged in the sea and Brihaspathi (Guru) recovered the idol and with the assistance of Vayu (Wind God). Together, they traveled all over India in search of a holy place and finally reached Kerala. Here, with the help of Parasurama, they located a holy spot. Guru and Vayu installed the image of Lord Vishnu (Lord Krishna) in the temple built by Viswakarma, the architect of the Gods. As Guru and Vayu together founded the temple, the place came to be called ‘Guruvayupura’ in accordance with Lord Shiva’s wish. Later the name was shortened to Guruvayoor.
In Kerala, this is probably the only temple that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice feeding ceremonies (the ritual first meal for infants). It was also the hub of the 'Guruvayoor Sathyagraha' , a historic movement demanding temple entry rights for the 'so called' lower castes.The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local belief, the temple was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of winds'. The eastern 'nada' is the main entrance to the shrine. In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham' (flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brillant spectacle, when lit. The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Punnathoorkotta, which is at a distance of 2 kms from Guruvayoor is home of 50 temple elephants, offers unusual spectacles of the gentle pachyderm.
According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years
old. But there are no historical records to establish it. In the 14th century
Tamil literature 'Kokasandesam', references about a place called Kuruvayur is
made. As early as 16th century (50 years after the Narayaneeyam was composed)
many references are seen about Kuruvayur. In ancient Dravidic, Kuruvai means
sea, hence the village on the coast may be called Kuruvayur.
But according to Prof. K V Krishna Iyer (eminent historian), the Brahmins had
begun to come and settle at Kodungalloor during the period of Chandra Gupta
Maurya ( 321-297 BC). Trikkunavay in the Guruvayur documents is the same as
Thrikkanamathilakam or Mathilakam mentioned in the Dutch and British records.
And this place was in between Guruvayur and Kodungalloor. Guruvayur was
Trikkunavay's subordinate shrine since they were destroyed by the Dutch in 1755.
That way Guruvayur must have come into existence before 52 AD. The story of
Pandyan King building a shrine here may be a reference to the Azhavars , but
they are all silent in their writing about Guruvayur.
It was Melpathur's Narayaneeyam through which the Temple got publicity. The
concept of Unnikrishna popularised by Poonthanam , Kururamma , and
Villwamangalam brought more and more devotees to Guruvayur.
How to Reach: Guruvayur is well connected with the other parts of the
country by road and rail. The National highway is passing through Kunnamkulam
which is just 8 kms away from Guruvayur. The private bus stand is towards the
east of the temple, near Manjulal (the banyan tree). It is half an hour drive by
car from Thrissur and busses ply every 5 minutes from Thrissur to Guruvayur.
Nearest Airport :Cochin International Airport, about 87 kms away Nearest Railway Station
: Guruvayoor ,enquiry: Ph: 2554300 2556820
The original CheramanJuma Masjid in Kodungaloor, Kerala, where Friday prayers have been held for thelast 1375 years.
new structure of Cheraman Juma Masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid & Start of Islam in India
Cheraman Juma Masjid (built in Hijra 629 or 7 A.D.) in Kodungalloor - Kerala of India is 1375-year-old and is considered as India’s oldest Islamic shrine. More important is the fact that it is the world’s second oldest Juma mosque, where the Juma (Friday) prayers have been held for the last 1375 years, since the days of Prophet Mohammed (570-634 A.D.). The first Juma mosque in the world is the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah (Masjid Nabawi), which is also his memorial tomb.
In 622 – 628 A.D (Hijra 1 to 7) Kodungalloor was the capital of the kings of Kerala and the ruler was a great person, by name Cheraman Perumal Bhaskara Ravi Varma. At that time the ruler viewed the splitting of moon, the historical miracle by Prophet Mohammed Rasoolullah and he came to know about the Prophet from and Arabian traders. The love for Holy Prophet as the Messenger of God and Islam grew in his heart and he became the one of first Muslim convert of present day India.
This ‘Moon Splitting’ is also mentioned in the hadith. As per narrations of Abdullah bin Masud: “During the lifetime of the Prophet, the moon was split into two parts and on that the Prophet said, ‘Bear witness (to thus).’” (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 830)He decided to visit Makkah and he turned into Muslim and accepted the name Tajuddin. While on his way back to home along with some devotees he passed away in the coastal town of Oman, Salalah.Malabar logs from India Office Library mentions about these historical events due to its importance in the Kerala history and culture. Perumal had wrote several letters addressed to the rulers of different states of Kerala asking to provide necessary help and facilities. Malik Bin Dinar and his companions were the other travelers in the return journey of Cheraman Perumal. They arrived in Kodungalloor with the letters and handed over it to the ruler of Muzuris (Kodungalloor was then known by this name).
From the historical notes and library records we can conclude that Kerala played an important role in the start of Islam in India and its spreading.They were helped in respect to the died Cheraman Perumal and his letters. The rulers helped Malik Bin Dinar and companions (followers of Prophet Mohammed) to set up the mosque and spread Islam in Kerala.The second Juma Mosque in the world was built by Malik bin Dinar with the help of the Rajah of Kodungalloor in 629 A.D and since then Friday prayers have been offering here. It is situated in the Mithala village of Kodungalloor
How to Reach:
Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery,cochin
Nearest Railway station:ALUVA railway station
FOR more information:visit http://www.cheramanmosque.com
The pictures que and majestic waterfalls,Athirapally and Vazhachal,two of nature’s most relaxing places, are located just five km apart, on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges. The Athirappally falls join the Chalakkudy river after plummeting down 80 ft. The cool spray that covers a large area near the falls makes Athirapally a scenic location. The picturesque Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green forests and is a part of the Chalakkudy river
Best Season: An exciting time to visit is between September and May
How to Reach: Located south india, Kerala state ,Thrissur District
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport(Tel:+91 484 2610115), 58 km from Thrissur
Nearest railway station: Thrissur (Major station,Tel:+91 487 2423150) about 63 km & Chalakkudy(Tel:+91 480 2701368), about 35 km
Nearest bus station: KSRTC Bus station Thrissur(+91 487 2421842) about 63 km & Chalakkudy (Tel:+91 480 2701638)about 35 km from Athirapally
In the case of EMERGENCY: KERALA POLICE:Chalakkudy Police Station(Tel:+91 480 2708331),call 100 (toll free number)
