Art Museum
Within the zoo compound is the small Art Museum which has a good collection
of wood carvings metal sculptures, Kathakali figures, and ancient jewellery.
There is also a wonderful collection of traditional Kerala lamps.
Athirapally and Vazhachal
Waterfalls
East of Chalakudy, near the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, are the
beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 km apart. These
waterfalls are a place of scenic beauty , and is of 80 feet high.
Guruvayur (Pilgrim Centre)
Thrissur is a good base for a pilgrim trip to Guruvayur, 32km away. It is
among India's most important pilgrimage centres and is also known as the
Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts
thousands of pilgrims is said to date prior to the 16th centrury. Tradition
has it that the temple was created by Guru - the preceptor of the Devas, and
Vayu - the lord of the Winds.
The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord
of Guruvayur, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma
himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri
composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem 'Narayaneeyam'.
The temple is renowned for its healing powers. Several offerings are made
to the deity here from the simple 'Archana' (offering of flowers) to the
expensive and elaborate 'Udayastamana' pooja or Thulabharam' where a devotee
is weighed against offering of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts. Not
surprisingly Guruvayur is the site for several weddings and 'Annaprasanam',
the first feeding ceremony of child.
Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam)
North of Thrissur, 29km away near the Shoranur Railway Junction is
Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the
Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's
Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also
offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including
Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.
Peechi Dam
Peechi Dam, 23km fromThrissur is an irrigation project site which offers
boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a
wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.
Vadakkumnathan Temple
This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architectrue. The
temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy,
Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines
and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes
that this temple was founded by Parasurama. ' Thrissur Pooram ' the grandest
temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April -May every year.