Thrissur is a religious town in Kerala, well known for its many religious sites, spiritual centers, temples, churches, and the celebrations of various festivals like the Thrissur Pooram. The town is one of the oldest planned towns in Kerala and is its cultural capital. It is also known as the ‘gold capital’ of the country as a majority of gold trade within the country happens here.
Thrissur is famous for several tourist attractions besides the religious spots, like the waterfalls, beaches, museums, and palaces! It is definitely a unique place to visit in Kerala with so much to explore. If you’re planning on visiting, here are a few tourist-worthy places to visit in Thrissur.
Built in the traditional, classic Kerala-style of architecture, Vadakkunnathan Temple is the oldest temple in Kerala. Located on top of the Thekkinkadu Maithanam hillock, the temple is associated with many legends and tales. The large carved wall murals and the architectural elegance of the temple depict the rooted culture of the city.
The Vadakkunnathan Temple is believed to be founded by Lord Parashuram. It is well known for its morning pooja, which is when most people visit the temple. This is one of the biggest poojas that takes place every morning and is attended by devotees regularly.
Timings: Every day from 3:00 am to 8:30 pm
Entry Fee: None
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The Basilica Of Our Lady Of Dolours is an Indo-Gothic church located amidst the lush green valleys of Thrissur. It happens to be the largest church in the country and the third-largest in Asia! It was built in 1814 and depicts the Christian scriptures through the murals that are carved all over the big walls of the Basilica.
The church is known as the White Gemstone of the city and is among one of the most visited places in Thrissur. Thousands upon thousands of pilgrims visit this Basilica each year to celebrate the feast of Our Lady Of Dolours; it is one of the many festivals that is celebrated in the city. If you seek peace and tranquility, you will find it right here with its tall walls amidst the eleven altars. This is definitely one of the unmissable places to visit in Thrissur.
Timings: Every day from 6:00 am onwards
Entry Fee: None
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If you‘re looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you may want to head to the Athirappilly Waterfalls for a day trip. The waterfall is 80 feet high and 330 feet wide and is one of the largest waterfalls in the country. It is because of this reason that Athirappilly Waterfalls are also known as the Niagra Falls of India.
The greenery around the falls makes it even more appealing to the tourists, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Thrissur. The gigantic falls are open to visitors all year long, but their beauty is magnified during the monsoon when the falls are in full bloom. During this time, you can listen to the water gushing and the greenery alongside is an added aesthetic in itself. You can surely enjoy a picnic around the falls with your family or friends.
Timings: Every day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry Fee: None
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If you are visiting Thrissur, you cannot miss out on the Shakthan Thampuran Palace. It is a majestic white-hued palace that was built in 1791 by Raja Rama Varma. The palace is known for its architectural beauty as it portrays a unique style of architecture that’s a mix of traditional Kerala Nalukettu and Dutch styles of architecture. This makes the Shakthan Thampuran Palace stand out amongst the many other places in Thrissur.
The palace was turned into a museum recently in 2005 and since then has been visited by tourists and history fanatics. The architectural grace and the extensive collections that are on display here are what attract tourists to Shakthan Thampuran Palace. A guided tour of this palace will give you insights into its history and background.
Timings: Every day except Mondays, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Entry Fee: INR 10 for adults, INR 5 for kids, and INR 30 for cameras
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The oldest zoological gardens and a wide range of animals are located in the heart of the city. The Thrissur Zoo And State Museum is the most diverse zoo in the state and is spread across 13.5 acres of land. From big cats, elephants, bears, snakes, and hippos to plenty of species of birds, you will find loads to admire here.
Other than the zoo and the museum, you also have a botanical garden on its premises. It is the biggest botanical garden in Kerala and you will see ample butterflies, birds, plants, and trees here. At the museum, there are a few artifacts and vintage relics that you will get to see. But, one of the best displays in the State Museum is the biggest skeleton here, that of an Indian elephant. It is one of the biggest attractions at the museum that thousands of people come to see on a yearly basis.
Timings: Every day from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Entry Fee: INR 5 for adults, INR 3 for kids, INR 5 for a camera, and INR 500 for a video camera
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If you ever wanted to see elephants in their natural habitat, going about their day and taking a bath, you may want to visit Punnathur Kotta. It is a well-known elephant sanctuary, not too far from the Guruvayoor Temple. Punnathur Kotta was initially the residence of a previous ruler of Thrissur, later converted to an elephant sanctuary.
It is one of the biggest sanctuaries for elephants in the county; the sanctuary is home to more than 58 elephants at present that you can observe. It is a very calming experience and you can rest assured that the elephants will keep you entertained on your visit to the sanctuary.
Timings: Every day from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person and INR 25 for cameras
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Known as the ‘Oxygen Jar of Thrissur’, Vilangan Kunnu is a lush green hilltop, now transformed into an amusement park. Located about 7 kilometers away from Thrissur, it is a well-known picnic destination among locals as well as tourists. The park has ample rides for kids and some gorgeous gardens and green spaces that make the experience wholesome for families.
While your kids enjoy their rides, you can take a stroll around and experience the surreal beauty of the place. It makes for the perfect urban escape as it is quiet and has a gorgeous view of the mountains and hills.
Timings: Every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Entry Fee: INR 10 for adults and INR 5 for children
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The Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is located on the far edge of the Vadakkumnathan Temple. It is known to be older than 1,000 years and is one of the oldest standing shrines in the city. The Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple is one of those must-visit places in Thrissur for ardent devotees.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagvathy who is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. You can seek the Goddess’ blessings and also participate in the celebrations of the famous festival of Thrissur Pooram that takes place in the month of April and May. In this festival, 15 magnificent and adorned elephants move from Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple to the Vadakkumnathan Temple.
Timings: Every day from 4:30 am to 11:30 am and 4 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry Fee: None
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Summing Up
Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala and as you may have seen, it is packed with a bunch of religious, cultural, and adventurous places that stand out for their unique attributes. Now that you know some of the best touristy places that you can visit in Thrissur, you may want to pack your bags and explore some that feed your curiosity. Stay safe and have fun!
Which Is The Best Place For A One-Day Trip In Thrissur?
If you want to take a one-day trip to Thrissur, you could visit the Basilica of Our Lady Of Dolours, Thrissur Zoo and State Museum, Athirappilly Waterfalls, and Vilangan Kunnu. These are some of the top tourist-worthy places in Thrissur that you do not want to miss out on.
What Is Famous In Thrissur?
Thrissur is well known for its temples, churches, and palaces. The Vadakkumnathan Temple, Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Shakthan Thampuran Palace, and Basilica of Our Lady Of Dolours are some to name among the others. Among food items, Vellayappam is a popular choice among many locals and tourists. It is a sweet dish very similar to pancakes, but better.
Why Is Thrissur The Best?
Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala and has a combination of cultural, religious, historical, and spiritual attractions. You have plenty of places that you can visit when traveling in Thrissur and you can also celebrate a bunch of festivals all year long. All these things combined make Thrissur truly the best city in Kerala.
Which Airport Is Near To Thrissur?
The nearest airport to Thrissur is the Cochin International Airport. This airport is located in Nedumbassery which is just 50 kilometers away from Thrissur. Traveling to and from the airport to the city is convenient as it is well connected via roads.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Thrissur?
Winter is the best time to visit Thrissur as the weather is mildly cold during this time of the year. The month from October to March is ideal for sightseeing and engaging in the festivals that are celebrated in the city.
What Is The Old Name Of Thrissur?
Thrissur was known as Trichur untill the government changed its name in 1990 to its Malayalam variant.
Is Thrissur Safe?
The crime rate statistics provided by Numbeo suggests that crime in Thrissur is very low. Consequently, it's viable to say that Thrissur is a safe city.
What Is The Size Of Thrissur?
Thrissur is around 101.4 square kilometer.
