What to do and see in Thrissur, Kerala: The Best Free Things to do

April 13, 2022 Renato Branum

Thrissur is regarded as the cultural capital of Kerala, a beautiful coastal region of southwest India with a history deeply rooted in the spice trade. For an exercise in absolute serenity, schedule an overnight houseboat tour of the local backwaters. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the temple festival of Pooram, you’ll experience lively music performances, fireworks, shadow puppet shows and processionals of beautifully adorned elephants.
Restaurants in Thrissur

1. Arattupuzha Temple

Aarattupuzha Nr. Tevar Road Bus Stop, Thrissur 680 562 India
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

Arattupuzha Temple

2. Vadakkunnathan Temple

Swaraj Round N, Thrissur 680001 India http://vadakkunnathantemple.com/
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 487 reviews

Vadakkunnathan Temple

Reviewed By RajeeshRj - Bengaluru, India

Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu templededicated to Shiva at city of Thrissur, of Kerala statein India. This temple is a classic example of the architectural style of Kerala and has monumental towers on all four sides and also a kuttambalam. Mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple.The shrines and the Kuttambalam display vignettes carved in wood. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. According to popular local lore, this is the first temple built by Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Thekkinkadu maidan, encircling the Vadakkunnathan Temple, is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram. The story of the origin of the Vadakkunnathan Temple is briefly narrated in Brahmanda Purana and there are references to it in some other works also. Though there are differences between these accounts on the details, all agree on the central fact, namely, that the temple was founded by Parashurama. Parashurama exterminated Kshatriyastwenty one times. In order to cleanse himself and balance his karma he performed a yajna at the end of which he gave away all the land to Brahmins as dakshina. He wanted to retire to some new land to perform tapasya and so he requested the Lord of the seas and oceans Varuna to throw up a new piece of land from the sea. According to another version, some sages approached him at the end of the yajna and requested him to give them some secluded land. Parashurama then made the request to Varuna for their sake. Varuna gave him a winnow (surpa) and asked him to hurl it into the sea, as he did a large territory of land was at once thrown up by the sea; this territory that rose out of the sea was Kerala. It was then known by the name "Surparaka", from the word, "Surpa" meaning winnow. According to some other accounts, Varuna asked Parashurama to hurl his axe into the sea. Parashurama now wanted to consecrate this new land. So he went to Mount Kailash to his guru, Lord Shiva and requested him to take abode in Kerala and thereby bless the region. Shri Shiva accompanied by his wife Parvati, his sons Ganesha and Subrahmanyaand his parashadas went along with Parashurama, to satisfy the desire of his disciple. Shiva stopped at a spot, now Thrissur, for his seat and later he and his party disappeared and Parashurama saw a bright and radiant Shiva linga (aniconic symbol of Shiva) at the foot of a huge banyan tree. This place where Shiva first manifested his presence through the linga is in Smskrth (Sanskrit) known as the Sri Moola Sthana. For sometime, the linga remained at Sri Mula Sthanaat the foot of a huge banyan tree. The ruler of Cochin Kingdom then decided to shift the linga to a more convenient place and enclose it in a temple. Arrangements were soon made to reinstall the deity in the new place. But there was an initial difficulty. The linga could not be removed without cutting off a large part of the banyan tree. While cutting the branches of the tree, there was the danger of a piece of it falling on the idol and damaging it. When the ruler and the others did not know what to do, the Yogatirippadu came forward with a solution. He lay over the deity so as to cover it completely and asked the men to cut the tree. The cutting began and to the wonder of all not a piece of the tree fell anywhere near the deity. The deity was moved with all due rituals and installed in the new place where it has remained till now. Then a temple was built according to the rules laid down in the Shastras.

3. Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple

Near Vadakkunatha Temple, Thrissur India +91 487 233 1273 http://www.paramekkavudevaswom.com
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple

Reviewed By prasanthe2021 - Thrissur, India

It's near by the thrissur round it a good and peaceful place of Lord Bagavathy many people are comeing to get the blessing of Lord Bagavathy and it's also near by the market place

4. Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple

Kodungallur, Thrissur India +91 98998 01029
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
9%
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4.5 based on 23 reviews

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple

5. Thiruvambadi Krishna Shrine

Guruvayur, Thrissur 680001 India http://www.thiruvambadytemple.com
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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4.5 based on 81 reviews

Thiruvambadi Krishna Shrine

Reviewed By vipina776 - Lucknow, India

Very nice Krishna temple located in Thrissur . You can enter the sanctum sanctorum only after wearing dhoti and removing shirt ,for male devotees. Very beautiful darsanas of the Lord

6. Koodalmanikyam Temple

Irinjalakuda, Thrissur India +91 480 282 2631 [email protected] http://www.koodalmanikyam.com
Excellent
70%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
2%
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4.5 based on 54 reviews

Koodalmanikyam Temple

Reviewed By Arunvarma

If you are Hindu and interested in architecture as well as Tantric rituals of Kerala, then definitely Koodal Manikyam is a must visit destination. Its one of the very few Bharatha Temple in India, dedicated to Bharatha, the younger brother of Lord Rama. The widespread belief is that, Bharatha was incarnation of the Panchajanya conch, the right swelled shell that Lord Vishnu holds. So basically the idol is in form of Lord Vishnu itself with 4 hands, one holding the divine Conch, the Lotus flower, a flagstaff (indicating the nominal ruler of Ayodhya during Rama's Absence) and a Prayer beads (indicating Bharatha's penance during Rama's absence) The lord is also known as Sangameswara (Lord of confluence) as well as Manikkya Thevar (the Emerald Lord). The diety is designed as Bharatha receiving Hanuman's message that Lord Rama will soon arrive back in Ayodhya. As a result, there is a Hanuman's presence in the Thidapally (the holy Kitchen), though not worshipped in deity form. The temple is a classical specimen of the grandeur of Kerala architecture with a massive pond that has fishes which can be feed by devotees (based on the concept that Lord Rama used to love feeding fishes). The temple has a huge Main Pandal craved in wood, a huge entrance gate and most important, the largest Koothambalam (temple theater) in Kerala. The Koothambalam often has traditional Kerala temple artforms like Koodiyattom etc performed in honor of the lord. Like all Kerala temples, the temple is known for its extreme adherence to Tantric culture and dotted with numerous of Vedic era rituals. The temple also famous for several Yajnas and been a major site for vedic discourses and Mahayagas. The temple is highly orthodox. Hence no foreigners will be allowed inside unless they have proven Hindu certificate. For all gents, no form of pants, trousers or anything stitched garments is allowed inside. All men and boys must wear Kerala Mundu (white Dhoti) or its plain Saffron or Black version. No other color dhotis are permitted in. For girls, they can wear lehangas or Pavadas. But no Churidars, salwar suits or anything in pant/pyjama form. Ladies must wear Saris or Kerala Set Mundu or Half sarees etc. There is a changing room facility at the entrance for those who come in prohibited dress code. No form of head covering such as turbans etc is permitted. Ladies must tie their hair and must not cover unlike in North. The temple strictly bans any form of electronic into the temple. No Mobile, cameras or any form of the electronic object, including electronic car key permitted. The temple is famous for two major offerings. The Lotus Offering. Traditionally believed, that if Lotus is offered to Lord Bharatha, any desire will come true. The most heard myth is that, people do offer Lotus garland to Bharatha to stop floods and heavy rains common during monsoons. The Brinjal Offering.Unique to this temple, the lord is often of dark purplish large brinjal. Devotees who have gastric problems or diseases related to stomach or digestive system often place 3 large brinjals to get cured. The Brinjals are later taken into the kitchen and unique dish is made out of it, which is given as prasad. Brinjal Payasam are also available for purchase from the temple counters. Visit during evenings to see the maginificent temple lighted up in thousands of oil lamps. Normally the temple is least crowded. But during Malayalam month of Karikadakom (July-August), when Kerala celebrates as Ramayana Month, its customary for devotees to visit all 4 temples of each brother located closer by. During this time, it will be heavily crowded and one must reach early to get darshan. Like any Kerala Temple, this temple closes by 11 AM in morning (reach by 10 AM, as after this, there will be longer closures for various afternoon poojas) and reopens by 4 Pm in evening which will be closed by 8 PM.

7. Ilanjippara Waterfall

Marottichal, Thrissur India
Excellent
44%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Ilanjippara Waterfall

8. Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple

Triprayar Road, Thrissur India
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple

Reviewed By SURAJSMILE - Kochi (Cochin), India

Peruvanam is the small town in Thrissur. This temple is a Shiva Temple.This temple is said to be in existence for more than 1000 years.You will love to see the natural beauty of this temple.I use to visit this temple with my family and friends.As soon a you get inside this temple, you will feel the positive energy.Pooram is very famous.

9. Chavakkad Beach

Chavakkad, Thrissur 680506 India
Excellent
25%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
25%
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4%
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4.0 based on 79 reviews

Chavakkad Beach

Reviewed By keralasolo

This beach is very clean no restaurants but there is a lady who prepares food for the local fishermen. If you want to have a romantic walk with no hassle from locals this is the place to be. No life guard, so if you want to take dip, you are own your own may the fishermen in the area could help. This beach is good for foreign tourists.

10. Snehatheeram Beach

Thalikulam, Thrissur India +91 487 2622245 https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/thalikulam-snehatheeram-beach-thrissur/549
Excellent
33%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 149 reviews

Snehatheeram Beach

Reviewed By Roshmin_Mambully - Thrissur, India

Snehatheeram beach is located at Thalikulam about 40km away from Thrissur. The beach is usually not very crowded . The beach is very clean and has a children's park There. . The beach is well maintained by the local government. Very beautiful Beach to enjoy with family and friends. You have a place for swimming in the sea and have a dressing room and a bathroom ✌️

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