Trichur
 Thrissur,
the name derived from 'Tiru-Shiva-Perur' (the town with the name of Lord Shiva)
is the cultural capital of Kerala. The town is built around a hillock top. Its
most prominent feature is the Vadakkumnathan Kshetram or temple which has Shiva
as it presiding deity.
Anakkayam
Anakkayam is roughly 20 kms from Chalakudy on the
Sholayar Peringalkuthu route, famous for its lake with cool and placid waters.
The place got its name from a herd of elephants which used to visit the place
quite often and the legend goes that the place got its name because some
elephants had been drowned in this lake. The place is breathtakingly beautiful
with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.
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.
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.
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