Thrissur, the land of Pooram, is the Cultural Capital of Kerala. Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala Sahithya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy are all located here. The original name of this centrally located district of Kerala is Thrissivaperur in vernacular, which was distorted to Thrissur. Thri is a Sanskrit prefix for thiru in Tamil both meaning Sri and something opulent. Ur is land. The land with the title of Siva is Thrissivaperur. Thrissur is spanned out nearly 3,032 sq km from the Western Ghats in the East, Arabian Sea in the West, Ernakulam district in the South and Palakkad in the North. The cultural heritage, historical importance, archeological acumen etc make this district a class apart. Many rulers like the Zamorin of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and Europeans contributed their share in shaping Thrissur. Raja Rama Varma of Kochi popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran was the architect of Thrissur town. Thrissur is famous for the Pooram festival which paved the way for her to find a covetable place in the world tourism map. Pooram is the grandest temple festivities in Kerala. It was Sakthan Thampuran who ordered for this festival to be celebrated in front of the sprawling Thekkinkadu ground. The king during one of his visits to Thrissur summoned his subjects and asked them to divide into two groups and arrange procession from Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples with 15 caparisoned elephants each. Apart from these 30 caparisoned tuskers there are 15 additional stand by. Kundamattom in different fascinating colours is a major attraction of Pooram. What is more exhilarating is the performance of instrumental music displayed in situ, a blend of all major Kerala musical instruments finding place. Panchavadyam, Pandimelam and Pancharimelam are the main one. Fire work is yet another attraction. The sample fire work is held in the evening of the day before the previous day of Pooram while the real fire-work takes place at 3.00 in the following morning of the festival day. People of the town, mainly traders partake the huge expenses involved without any petty feelings of caste or creed. Therefore, Thrissur Pooram is the real festival of people of Kerala.

Thrissur Tourism Destinations | Thrissur Hotels and Resorts

Thrissur Destination
Sakthan Thampuran Palace: Also known as Palace Thoppu, the campus covers an area of six acres. Here you can see three tombs including that of the renowned Sakthan Thampuran, the greatest ruler of Cochin dynasty. The marvelous sculptures add beauty to Sakthan Thampuran Palace.
Archeological Museum: Situated in Town Hall Road, the archeological museum opens on all days except Mondays and national holidays.
Zoo: Started in 1885 and Spread over in 5.5 hectors of land Kerala State Zoo is in Thrissur town. There are Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, Art Museum and Natural History Museum in this compound.
Art Museum: Located in the Zoo compound, the art museum displays collections of wood-carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. The art museum is also a treasure of Kerala traditional lamps.
Peechi Dam: (20 km east of Thrissur) Peechi Dam is a spectacular dam site with beauty of flowery gardens. This picnic spot offers boating facilities.
Ariyannoor temple, Kandanisserry: Ariyannoor Temple has a carved entrance gable which has been compared to the wooden sculptures of American artist Louise Nevelson. The Siva temple at Thiruvanchikulam as well as the Sree Krishna temple at Thirukulashekharapuram is believed to be monuments from the 9th century.
Arattupuzha: Arattupuzha is known for the annual Pooram festival at the temple in April-May, every year. The uniqueness of this festival is the ceremonial processions carrying the idols of deities from 41 neighbouring villages, which are brought to the temple at night in procession on caparisoned elephants.
Town Hall: Houses the Picture Gallery where mural paintings from all parts of Kerala are on display.
Koratty, St. Mary’s Forane Church: The church was established in 1381 and also known as Koratty Muthy. In the following Sunday of 10th Ocotber the church celebrates its annual festival and the procession during the feast is spectacular.
Vadakkumnathan Temple: One of the oldest temples in the state, the Vadakkumnathan temple is a classical example of the Kerala-style of architecture and has many decorative murals and pieces of art. Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple: The temple is built in typical Kerala architectural style and the important festival is Ekadesi in November/December.
Vilangankunnu: (7 km from Thrissur) Vilangankunnu is a beautiful hill which is a good picnic spot. The children’s park offers amusement rides.
Koodalmanikyam Temple: (21 km from Thrissur and 10 km from Irijalakuda Railway Station) This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the brother of Rama. It is perhaps the only temple in India with Bharatha as the presiding deity. Koodalmanikyam temple is a telling example for architectural marvel. The Koothambalam in Koodalmanikyam temple attracts huge crowd.
Kodungalloor: Situated at the confluence of the Periyar River system with the Arabian Sea, Kodungalloor, formerly known as Muziris, is a place of great historical interest. Kodungalloor was a great emporium of trade even before the dawn of Christian era. The Jews, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs came here with their merchandise. From here ivory, sandalwood, peacock’s feathers and cinnamon were exported to foreign countries. The Roman colonists are said to have founded here a temple in honour of Augustus. The Jews, Christians and Muhammedans all claim it as the place of their first settlement of India. Kodungalloor the farther south end of Thrissur district is specially noted for being the place where St. Thomas, the Apostle is said to have landed first, in AD 52.  Cheraman Juma Masjid, one of the ancient Mosques is situated here proclaiming the centuries old Muslim tradition here. Kottappuram, a tiny town nearby, was a trading center. From Azhikkode in the west of Kodungalloor to Nattika and Chavakkadu are fishing centers on the Arabian Coast. Kodungalloor is noted for the Durga temple here. Bharani festival and Kavutheendal are the main attraction. Other places of interest nearby include Cheramanparambu, the ancient Thiruvanchikulam temple and the Portuguese fort.
Saint Thomas Memorial: St. Thomas is believed to have landed in Kodungalloor in 52 AD. The St. Thomas Church established by the apostle houses holy relics from the olden days.  
Cheraman Juma Masjid: (2 km from Kodungalloor Town) This mosque resembles a Hindu temple in appearance. Built in 629 AD, this is the first mosque in India and the second in the world where Juma prayers were started.
Anakkayam: (20 km from Chalakudy) This place offers an enchanting experience to the visitors. On Sholayar-Peringalkuthu road from Chalakudy, Anakkayam is famous with a lake of cool and placid waters. The place got its name because some elephants had been drawn in this lake.
Divine Retreat Centers: In Muringoor and Potta near Chalakudy situate Divine Retreat Centers.  Peoples gather from all parts of the country to meditate and pray in these centers.
Athirappilly:(63 km from Thrissur and 78 km from Kochi) At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges, this 80 ft high waterfall is a popular picnic spot. Athirappilly attracts thousands daily. Tourists, nature lovers and educationalist find this spot as wonderment. Athirappilly has been the background for many motion pictures and movies in various Indian Languages which proclaims the importance or acceptability of the place.
Vazhachal:Just a short drive from Athirappilly, this picturesque waterfall is close to dense green forests and is a part of the Chalakudy River.
Adur: The place is famous for Annamanada Temple. Annamanada was the venue of two historic interviews between the rulers of Travancore and Cochin in the later part of the 18th century.  The famous Nedumkotta of Travancore Lines built by Dharma Raja of Travancore to meet the menace of the Mysore invasion passes through Adur.
Nattika Beach:30 km from Thrissur Town) Nattika Beach, the hidden treasure of Malabar cost, is the nearest beach of Coimbatore. This location is famous by the Malayalam movie Chemmeen. The beach is very safe, clean and long.
Chimmini Wild Life Sanctuary: (35 km from Thrissur) This wildlife sanctuary is the abode of flora and fauna. Trekking is also added attraction here.
Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple:(Open: 0300 - 1330 hrs, 1630 - 2030 hrs) The temple, according to belief, was constructed by Guru, the preceptor of Gods and Vayu, the wind God. They carried the idol and consecrated inside the temple they built, for the amelioration of mankind. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. 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, Lord Ayyappa and Edathedattu Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.
Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple: The deity worshipped at this temple is the same Lord Venkitachalapathy, worshipped in the world famous Thirumala Thirupathi temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Chavakkad:The mausoleum of Haidross Kuttee, Haidor Ali’s Lieutenant is situated at the Manathala Desam near Chavakkad. Because of its association with Haidross Kuttee Chavakkad is also known as Kuttingal.
Sree Parthasarathy Temple: The consecration of the present deity in this temple was performed by the sanctified hands of Sri Adi Sankara during the 8th century, according the astrological and historical records.
Cheruthuruthy: (32 km from Thrissur) Cheruthuruthy is the seat of the Kerala Kalamandalam. Thrissur is famous for being the head quarter of Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university devoted to promote classical arts. It was the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon who established this institute which later became a land mark in history.
Chowalloor Siva Temple: A unique feature of Chowalloor Siva Temple is that in the two-tiered sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Lord Siva is seen facing West and that of His consort Sree Parvathy faces East.
Palayur: At Palayur, half a mile from Chavakkad Road is a Roman Syrian Christian Church which according to tradition is one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle on the West Cost.
Punnathur Kotta: Punnathur Kotta is famous for caring the temple elephants. Numbering over 54 elephants are taken care of and it is a rare experience to see many elephants at a time.