In the Kuttanad region, during the Masons heavy rains flood the fields. By September, indigenously designed 50- HP pump set empty them, throwing the water back in to the lake. Called Petti Para, these farms are crafted mainly from wood, except for a large bore steel cylinder and impellor encased in wood. Netting, in the box like delivery end, snare fish jettisoned along with the water.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Petti Para
R Block
It is one of the best managed private farms (at 850 acres) among the reclaimed land in the Kuttanad region, a process that started nearly hundred years back. By 1920, due to the scarcity of rice, locals were allowed to reclaim as much land as they wanted on the condition that they grow paddy. A fisherman, Joseph Muriekkan was among the first to own reclaimed land. These rights continued even after independence, the Govt. assisting the people with technical help from the Netherlands. It is covered in coconut, areca nut and banana plantations .The fields lend themselves to fish farming and duck breeding while awaiting the next sowing season.
The Beach
Alapuzhas beach is a sedate and rather plebeian, echoing the spirit of the town. The southern end of the beach has a large statue of a fisher woman cradling a baby in her arms while at the northern end the century-old pier extends in to the sea. The light house , in banks of red and white , soars into the sky just behind the beach front buildings , unchanged since its construction in 1862.Even the high compound wall around it and the domed entrance , streaked with grime and tinged black with age , remain the same . There is also the ‘Thykkal Beach’ near Cherthala , doted with fishing boats and famous for the relics of an old wooden boat at ‘Kadakkarapally’ excavated a couple of years back. The site is enclosed and the protected boat is on view only during summer.
Boat Races
Thakazhi Museum and Smrithimandapam
This Museum cum hall is the commemoration of the great Thakazhi Shivasankara pillai; (1912-1999) who won the Njanapeeda Puraskaram in 1984.His ancestral home, where the writer spend hours conjuring up stories, was turned into Museum in 2001. Four rooms house his personal belongings that include awards, gifts, certificates, books, chairs, walking sticks, pens spectacles, typewriter and clothes used by the man
Thakazhi Museum and Smrithimandapam
This Museum cum hall is the commemoration of the great Thakazhi Shivasankara pillai; (1912-1999) who won the Njanapeeda Puraskaram in 1984.His ancestral home, where the writer spend hours conjuring up stories, was turned into Museum in 2001. Four rooms house his personal belongings that include awards, gifts, certificates, books, chairs, walking sticks, pens spectacles, typewriter and clothes used by the man
Krishnapurm Palace Museum
Karumadi Kuttan
The shrine of Karumadi Kuttan, which stands by the side of the public canal, to the west of the Kamapuram temple, is a black granite figure of the Buddha. The Ay kings patronized Buddhism in Kerala. Though Buddhism declined in the 8th century in this region, the sculpture is said to belong to the 9th or 10th century and has now installed in a small shrine to protect it.
Pathiramanal
Midnight sands- an evocative name with an interesting story behind it. Pathiramanal is an island in VembanadLake. The story goes that when a young Brahmin plunged in to the waters here for his evening ablutions, the waters parted and a verdant piece of land emerged from the lake; land that came to be called Pathiramanal or midnight sands. The raja of Travancore gave out the island on lease to the family of a man named Andrew Pereira (Portuguese naval officer) when the lease period was over in 1979, it was taken over by the Govt and then the island was hand over to the tourism Dept.
Evenings spent on the island can be an unforgettable experience, as the watery landscape lies covered in dreamy torpor. Chinese fishing nets , sand laden wooden boats and fisherman gliding by in dugout canoes in the backdrop of the shimmering greenery are the usual views . Since the island is covered completely in vegetation, a stroll along its many shady lanes or via the serrated banks will give you sightings of rare migratory birds that have made this island their temporary home. The ideal time to visit Pathiramanal is around dusk when it transforms it to a feeding ground for the inhabitants of nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary.
A one hour boat ride from Alappuzha jetty takes you to the island. Private boat operators charge Rs 800, inclusive of return fare. Alternately, a 13km drive to Muhamma, then a further 2km to Kayipuram junction and you can hire small wooden boats to take to you to the island for Rs 100.
Alappuzha-Churches
Chavara Bhavan
It is situated in ‘Kynakary’ a small village in the back waters of Alapuzha, is the ancestral form of Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Father Chavara is among the three Malayalee candidates under consideration for sainthood by the Vatican.
The place is now a spiritual resort where devotees gather for prayers and receive favors. The 250 year old monument preserves the “Beacon of light”, intact in its original form that continues to be burn. The house is a simple wooden structure consisting of three rooms and an under ground meditation enclosure. A church has been built around the house as a mark of respect for this holy place. A museum originally located here has been shifted to Kottayam.
St George orthodox Syrian Church
This church is considered to be one of the oldest Syrian churches. It has been constructed partially with portions of an old 13th century church located at Haripad.the main attraction of this church is its porches and porticos, fashioned after typical temple architecture. The tourists come to the ancient church to see its exquisite mural paintings(Eg :the frescoes).the themes are all biblical ranging from the annunciation of Mary, Jesus ,birth, the flight unto Egypt., the last supper and the crucifixion of Christ.
St Mary’s Church
This church is established in 1870 by St Thomas. The annual feast falls on the 3rd Sunday of October but the feast of St.Joseph, celebrated on March 19th, is also a big event. Nearby, there is a place that makes wooden statues of Christ for export around the world. There is also a chundan Vallom, a snake boat, in its thatched shed, tucked away inside a narrow inlet. Measuring 130 feet long and manned by more than hundred rowers during the races, it is the pride of the community.
St. George Forane Church
The massive church is located on the banks on the Pamba, established in 1810.It is believed that prayers offered at this church help to heal mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast, pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of creed, visit the church to seek the blessings of the saint. They bring images of human organs and serpents, made of gold and silver, as votive offerings. The statue of St. George, decked in gold, is taken out in a procession and placed on the dais at the centre of the Basilica. The feast culminates with a display of fireworks.
Alappuzha-Temples
Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple
Chakkulath Kavu Bhagavathi Temple
It situated in the border of the Pathanamthitta & Alapuzha. The famous rivers Pamba and Manimala flow on either side of the temple. This temple , which has Goddess Vanadurga as the presiding deity , has a special affinity for women and children and is popular with women devotees.’NARI POOJA’ where womanhood is extolled – which is part of annual ‘Panthrandu Noyambu’ festival, is performed with fervor in this temple . Every year hundreds of devotees witness the ritual of feet washing that the ‘Manusmrithi’ verse, “Wherever women are being worshiped, there will be glory and prosperity” This temple is model religious amity, allowing all people, irrespective of their religion or cast, entry with in.
Chettikulangara Bhagavathi Temple
The deity an incarnation of Badhrakali is supposed it posses is miraculous powers and there are many legends relating to the favors conferred by the deity on her devotees. The ‘Kettu Kazcha festival at this temple draws large crowds of devotees. Tall structure on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses, larger than life figures of epic characters and decorated chariots are brought to the temple in a spectacular procession ritual and folk art forms like ‘Padayani, Kolkali and Ammankudam are performed along site. An all night Kathakali performance makes the conclusion of the cultural fair.
The one day annual Bharani festival is also a popular event the day is marked with special ritual like; Kuthiyottam’ performances and “Kettu Kazcha” procession Kuthiyottam is a 1200 year old preformed by young boys. In front of the sanctum sanctorum we can see 11 feet high, 13 tired stone lamp, capable of holding a thousands wicks, it is said to be the largest and most elaborate lamp in India.
Subramanya temple
It has one of Kerala’s oldest and most important Subramanya temples and this temple considered the largest Sree Murugan temple in Kerala. This temple is renowned for its architectural splendor the tall flag mast, the large temple tank and koothambalam (theater) which has some exquisite wooden carvings on its ceiling. It is believed that the four-armed idol, fashioned after the sculptural pattern of the Buddhist period and worshipped by Lord Parasuarama was found in a river. The boat race at Payippad (3km).for 3 days commemorates the rescue of this idol and subsequent of the building of the temple.
Mannarassala snake temple
Mannarassala is the largest with 30000 images of snake gods along the path and among the trees, and many snakes living around the temple. Childless women come for blessing and return for a ‘thanksgiving’ceremony afterwards when the child born to the couple is placed on special scales and gifts in kind, equaling the weight, are donated.
It is believed that when Pandavas set fire to the Khanadava forest, the snakes that managed to escape came to Mannarassala and settled there. Even today, when families clear land of snakes, granite idols are often placed in the Mannarassala shrine. Thus the shrine has acres of land full of serpent idols. Childless couples offer a cauldron here and conduct certain poojas, to receive the snake god’s blessings to beget a child. A priestess, who is the senior-most female member of the Mannarassala Brahmin family, conducts the Pooja.
Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple
In this temple Krishna is worshiped in the infant avatar. Paintings of the 10 incarnations of lord Vishnu adorn the inner walls of the chuttambalam. The temple complex also houses a small structure called the Guruvayoor temple where the deity of Lord Krishna of Guruvayoor was kept in safe custody during the 1790 invasion of Tipu Sulthan. During the annual festival, which falls in April, thousands of devotees frequent the temple and partake in the feast. And once every 12 years, sorcerers perform the pallipana. The temple isalso renowned for its palpayasam, the daily offering of the milk rice, the legendary gift of a Brahmin to the poor. Very few temples have the good fortune, or the karma of possessing idols that are made by god, Krishna-at Guruvayoor, Tripunithura and Ambalapuzha. Legend has it that once the Brahmin ruler of Chempakasseri, pooradam thirunal thampuran, was traveling by boat with the sage villwamangalam swami, when they heard melodious strains of the flute. The music emanated from the south east corner of the present temple at Ambalapuzha, where a peepal tree stands. The sage, an ardent devotee of Krishna, recognized celestial music. They disembarked, went around the tree and prostrated themselves. And hence the name Ambalapuzha reached by crossing the river.
There is also a legend why Ambalapuzha’s famous palpayasam is offered at the noon Pooja. Once , the Chempakasseri Thampuran had borrowed some paddy from a Brahmin from ‘Thalavadi’ during a famine , the Raja righteously undertook the feeding of his subject , and was unable to repay the loan which soon mounted , with interest ,to 36000 Paras of paddy . One day, when the Raja came to the temple for darsan, the Brahmin demanded his paddy and threatened that he wouldn’t allow any worship until the debt was cleared .The Thampuran ordered his Minister to clear the debt immediately, but there was in sufficient stock of paddy. Some how the required quantity was collected and before noon, the elephant house before the temple was overflowing with contribution. The paddy was measured at the eastern side of the temples to the Brahmin’s satisfaction. However, the Minister asked the Brahmin to clear the paddy before the mid day Pooja otherwise it would interfere with the rituals. If the Brahmin failed to remove the paddy with in the stipulated time it would be confiscated to the temple. Predictably, the poor Brahmin could not get a single porter to remove the paddy. In the meantime, the sanctum sanctorum was closed for the midday Pooja. When the sreekovil was reopened, the Brahmin acknowledged the Raja’s righteousness and offered the paddy to the Lord Krishna. He also started that palpayasam should prepared daily and offering it to the deity at the midday Pooja, be distributed among devotees. This is the famous Ambalapuzha palpayasam, the color of which is golden and the taste is unique.
Every morning, before dawn, the Namboothiries start their preparation. Milk and water are poured into a heavy cauldron. By sunrise, the mixture comes to a boil, a process continued for six more hours. Then, the washed and winnowed rice is added into the simmering liquid and stirred continuously. At 11.45 am, sugar is poured, mixed and the cauldron lifted off the fire, strung onto bamboo poles and carried to the sanctum. Water for the payasam still comes from the sacred Mani kinar, an old well south west to the temple, where the rice is also washed. But the milk now comes from the local milk dairy and other societies. The payasam costs Rs 32 per liter. On an average, 150 liters are made every day but there is never any surplus. The temple has also been patronized by great literary gems like Melpathur Narayana Bhattathirippad, Thunchath Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar.Oottan Thullal, the satirical art form created by poet Kunchan nambiar, was first performed here.
The snake boat saga
Kerala: ‘The network of rivers, lakes and backwater canals’. Boats were the only way to get around and national water way three served as the mani aquatic super highway. The kettu Vallom were converted into luxurious house boats, there was one boat that did not quite fit in to the modern scheme of things. It was the chundan Vallom. Measuring well over 100 feet, it took an equal number to row it. The boats main feature is the chundu,a raised prow that rises more than 10 feet above the water like a snake’s hood. It is same as a serpent.
The story of its creation is equally fascinating. In the olden days, most kings used the waterfront as an arena to settle disputes. They used a wide variety of boats to ferry soldiers, supplies and to fight great naval wars. About 250 years ago, the kings of Ambalapuzha and Kayamakulam were at war. The Ambalapuzha asked the architect, Deavanarayana, to design a multipurpose war boat that could carry a lot of soldiers and fire cannons. Deavanarayana designed a long sleek vessel and introduced a revolutionary mechanism wherein the recoil of the cannon would propel the boat forward. When the Kayamakulam king learnt of this invention he demanded one for himself. But the loyal architect reversed the firing mechanism in such a way that the boat would move in the opposite direction in which the shot was fired.
The Coir and Alappuzha
The Arabs had carried out trade in coir product from Alappuzha since ancient times. It was only since James Dariegh’s first coir factory came up in 1859, that Alappuzha came to be known as the home of the coir industry. The Coir products are exporting different parts of the world. Dense groves of coconut palms spread all over the district provides the necessary raw materials- tons of husks. The back waters provide the facility for months of soaking to soften the husk and extract the fiber and it allowed easy transportation of raw materials. Coir dominated the industrial scene in this region, over other commodities like copra, coconut oil, lime shell and seafood, a trend that continued even after independence. In 1947, Kallelil Ragavan Pillai, a local historian, buys the shores of Alappuzha. By then Kochi had established itself as the commercial hub of the region its strategic location and all-weather port.
Though Alapuzha’s importance was diminished, its connection with coir continued. The coir board was established here in 1955.then, the National Coir Training and Designing centre came up in 1965, and there is also the Coir Research Institute. Coir continues to be an important cottage industry for the local people. today Alapuzha’s, dilapidated old pier, with rusted girders and wasted planks, over which trolleys laden with bales of coir products must have trundled towards waiting ships, just in to the sea forlornly. But the new rail link established with Kochi might prove to be the long awaited blessing that the town needed to open its windows to international markets.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Alappuzha-Overview
Alappuzha is known as the Venice of the east. its criss-crossing canals, which were once busy waterways, evoked comparison with Venice. Once a booming trading centre from where coir products were exported to different parts of the world. Business and commerce may have long left Alappuzha, but tourism is reviving this old trading town. Merchants and settlers have left behind an architectural heritage that combined with its quiet streets, a long stretch of beach and winding canals, give this place a quaint, alluring quality.
Situated at the south-western tip of Vembanad Lake, Alappuzha had its heyday as a commercial hub when Dewan Raja Keshavadas, in 1775-76, It to be a major port of the erstwhile Travancore state .but it was Veluthambi Dalava who took up development of Alapuzha town in a planned manner. The decline of the port at Purakkad also known as Ambalapuzha or Chempakasseri, necessitated the rehabilitation of traders for which the Dewan selected Alapuzha .Having found a 13 meter long mud bank in the sea around Alapuzha, which afforded good anchorage and made the waters calm, as in a lagoon; he got the jungles cleared up and built the Canals that connected back waters to the port. The Rajas Travancore took personal interest in the Dewan’s proposal and the port city was constructed adopting modern town planning concept. True to design, it grew to be a prosperous trading and fisheries centre.
This is a place between the Arabian sea and Vembanad lake, on a silver of land barely 4km wide, Alapuzha had the duel advantage of cheap in land water transport on its eastern end and calm seas suitable for a all weather port on the west .A working port was in place by 1786.The Dewan built the first Canal here, leading from the lake right up to the beach which can to be known as the commercial Canal. A hundred meter long pier with trolley car rails was added by the British later .Alapuzha began attracting traders from many parts of the country, notably from Gujarat and Bombay, who traded Copra ,timber pepper and coir products. Fallout of the trading activity was that rich Jain and Gujarathi business man bought prime land in what is called the sea view ward, and built homes ware houses and temples. In 1859 the first coir factory was established, producing mats from coir yarns on a loom developed by a English sea captain, James Dariegh. Alapuzha soon became the power centre of coir trade and was, at one time the world’s chief supplier of coir yarn and coir matting along the sides of the canals; we can still sea several buildings that once housed large factories and warehouses.
Booming trade and industry attracted Christian missionaries who built the first Anglican Church here in 1820. The first post office in the erstwhile Travancore state also came up here in 1851. Alappuzha was the home of the trade union movement; militanat trade unionism discouraged entrepreneurs. Ideally located as a base for backwater cruising, Alappuzha attracts tourists the year round for that singular experience. Private boat operators have mushroomed near the boat jetty and offer competitive rates for daylong cruises. Long lines of house boats lie moored all along the banks of this part of the lake, called Punnamada, close to where the riverPampa flow in. with more than 200 houseboats operating from Alappuzha and about 20-25 companies engaged in the house boat business, it has become the hub of house boats.
The piece-de- resistance of cruising in the backwaters is a trip to the Kuttanad region- a vast area of reclaimed land covered in brilliant green paddy fields. Alappuzha is also a centre of the annual Nehru Trophy boat race. Narrow snake like wooden boats called chundan Vallom, nearly 125 feet long and barely five feet wide, stream across the Pampa River at Punnamada, the site famous regatta, propelled by more than 100 rowers and spurred by cheer leaders.
Alappuzha other charm is its beach. The broad white sands have seen new additions recently, like the brand new beach road, a landscaped park on he beach front, a couple of artistic statues and tall mast lights in between. But the old structures also remain. A red and white painted lighthouse built in 1862, by Marthanda varma, stands tall.
Like elsewhere in Kerala, Alappuzha has its share of temples and churches. The Mullakkal Bhagavathi temple, among the oldest in this region, the Thirumala Devaswam shrine near the jetty , the 1816 built CSI church and reconstructed Pazhayangadi church are examples. The sizable Konkani community here maintained a distinctive social milieu, most of their hoses being congregated around the Pallikkunnu bhagavathi temple. The Kutchi Memons, who migrated from the Kutchi district of Gujarat, are another important trading community, now dwindling in Alappuzha. Their Juma masjid near the beach is one of the earliest shrines in this region. Its original charm as a place with a unique topography and eco system is now pulling in the crowds.
Alapuzha is the “Umbrella Capital” of Kerala and umbrella shops here are flooded with a colorful range and variety of umbrellas like the five fold umbrella, the Ultra light Umbrella- weighing just 28 gram, the umbrella cum walking stick and other fancy ones for the tourists. Poppy and Johns are the best and most popular brands.
Things to do
· Village walk
· Backwater cruise
· Discover Aleppey
Kottayam
Kottayam: Dubbed the land of letters, latex and lakes. it is the nerve centre of Christianity . There are a number of churches. Kottayam took the initial step by becoming the first ever fully literate municipal in
Now, Kottayam is known for the presents of large Christian population. Churches of various denominations and names like Jacob, Mathew and Thomas pop up everywhere. Kottayam is now the headquarters of the Malankara Orthodox Church, Syrian church and the Jacobites, as well as the Catholic divisions of the Kanaya church. It has been found that the highest density of Catholics in the world, after
Consider the most prosperous town in Kerala. Vast tracts of the land were devoted to cultivation of rubber. This led to the establishments of plantations and enable people to lead the luxurious lifestyles. Most of
History
Vembanad and its shores have had its impact on Kottayam even in earlier times. Research indicates that in the ancient past, the coastline of Kerala passed through this district. Marine fossils that have been discovered show that a large portion of Kottayam, Changanasseri and Vaikom were submerged under water. Up to the 5th century, Kottayam was part of the land called Kuttanad –known for being the granary of Kerala. There was international trade.
During the time of the Second Chera Empire, Kottayam and Ettumanoor were the parts of erstwhile Venpolinadu. There was a time when the place was also called Vembanad, after the Thekkumkoor kings who ruled over the place for a considerable time. They made Thazhathangadi, on the banks of the Meenachil, their administrative headquarters. Then this word Kottayam or kottayakam, meaning interior of fort came in to being. Kottayam became a part of Travancore and a administrative unit in 1860. The main central was built by the Maharaja of Travancore to connect Kottayam to Thiruvanathapuram. In 1949, the Kottayam district came in to being.
Sights !
Thazhathangadi
Thazhathangadi was once the most important place in Kottayam. Once it is administrative capital of the Thekkumkoor kings. Thazhathangadi was strategically vital for it had the river nearby
Adityapuram temple
It is the only sun temple in Kerala and Situated in a small village nearer to Muttuchira. A unique feature of this temple is the rakthachandan (a medicinal herb) that is distributed as prasadam.
Valiyapalli/ St Mary’s
A group of 72 families from 7 clans migrated to
There are two crosses; both crosses have inscriptions in Pahalavi, the official language of the Sassanian dynasty in
Cheriyapally
It was built in 1579; extensive restoration work was carried out and completed in 1993 without marring its architectural beauty. Inside the church the baptismal found carved out of single granite stone is said to be as old as the church. The sanctum sanctorum, called the madbaha, as a barrel vault built of late rite stones that has been carved and painted.
Good Shepard church
This is the first church of the diocese of Vijayapuram built in Italian style. Its construction was completed in 1882 and it was renovated in 1964. The annual feast of good Shepard is held in the month of April.
The temple, believed to have be built by a Thekkumkoore king and is located in the heart of the town. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple, repaired in 1956, is covered with pictures from the epics. The highlight is the low roofed stage of koothambalam, one of the finest in the entire state. Three festivals are celebrated here in October-November, June-July and March to April of which the last one is the most important. For the araat, conducted on the last of the festival, nine caparisoned elephants take part in a procession. For arts like mayilattam (peacock dance), and Velakali are presented in the temple compound. All night Kathakali performances and Hindu conventions are the integral part of the festival. In connection with the festival, the
St Mary’s
An important centre of pilgrimages. Stone inscriptions found at this church reveal that the structure was built more than a thousand years ago. Archeologists have also fond that these stone inscriptions were actually memorial stones set up at tombs between 910 and 920 AD.
Ettumanoor Shiva temple
The Shiva temple in Ettumanoor is a huge temple with excellent woodcarvings and 16th century murals depicting deeds of
Kumarakom
It is derived from ‘Kumaraham’.Kumara and aham main the house of the Lord Subrahamanya.There is a Murugan (another name of Subrahamanya.There) temple in a place, 6Km from Kumarakom. Located 15 Km west of Kottayam town the
Drift wood Museum
This is a museum that has on display a large collection of elegent drift wood scluptres, collected from the
Bird sanctuary
Spread across 14 acres in a former rubber plantation that was previsously known as baker’s estate.There are also large populations of breeding darters , purpole herons , little cormorants , Indian shag , white ibis , local waterfowl and pond heron. June to august is the breeding season of the birds.
Ayemenem
Famous for being the setting of Arundhathi roy’s Booker prize winning book ‘the god of small things’.Ayemenem house is both fact and fiction. Those embarking on aliterary pilgrimage will not find any such house , but there are two old buildings in the village . Puliyampallil house and Shanthi house , which together are believed to have become the sight for the story.
Cruise Experience
Travelling along the backwaters in a’Kettuvallom’ transaletes into a unique holiday. Kettu Valloms , originally built to consignment of rice , bricks and other produce along the region’s Myriad water ways. With in a few years they gained immense popularity and tourism in kreal’s back waters came to be associated with trhe house boat experience. Travallers swore it was a majical feeling ; an over night cruise on a house boat. You also get the kind of treatment that makes this a majical event . A toddy tapper scambering up a coconut tree , vendors peddling their wares and cement laden boats gliding by are some of the common sigths along the backwaters. Meals , which are generally typical Kerala faire, are prepared on board using the best raw produce including freshly caught fish from the lake. Aside from the superlative food, the level of comfort on offer in these house boats in the form of the well furnished bedrooms accompanied by sizeable bathrooms with all convinces. House boats come in a variety of sizes.
Pala
THRISSUR
Thrissur is known as the cultural capital of Kerala, and the
The genesis of the cultural tradition of the district can be traced back to the early centuries of the Christian era, when Mathilakam near Kodungalloor was known as a great centre of learning and culture. Buddhist & Jain scholars lived here and teaching themselves. During the region of the ‘KULASHEKHARAS (2nd Chera empire) Mahodayapuram in Thrissur gained the reputation of being a great seat of learning and culture. The dawn of the 20th century ‘Vallatole Narayana menon’ founding the Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy.
The antiquity of the town lies shrouded in myths and legends. But edicts and other data show a heritage of about 2000 years. There a number of megalithic sites here such as Cherumangad, hordes of gold coins were found at Eyyal and the Vadakkumnthan temple is considered to have been personally consecrated by Lord Parasurama. Jain and Buddhist influence also prevailed till the influence of Adisankara became larger. Located close to the Palakkad gap in the
In 1790, Raja Rama Varma (sakthan thampuran) ascended the throne of
Kodungallur situated 35Km from Thrissur.The ancient port town of kodungalloor, called Cranganore. Early Tamil poets allude to cranganore as Muchiri. Later it was known as muyirikodu, makotai or Mahodayapuram. The place figures prominently in early chera history.
To the Greeks and Romans, cranganore was known as muziris ,a name derived from an ancient temple whose goddess was called masuri devda on account of her power to ward off small pox , a belief tat is held even today; in Malayalam , small pox is known as masuri . However, muziris might be any where near present day kodungalloor, either on the northern or southern banks of
Kodungallur became a primary place of shelter for the migrants who came to this. Jews, Christians and Muslims, all claim it as the location of their first settlement in
The source of inspiration for poets like Elangovadikal who penned the Tamil classic, ‘CHILAPPATHIKARAM’. While, residing on the outskirt of the town, Kodungallur was also a centre for art and architecture. Today Kodungallur is a pilgrim place. during the months of July-august(Malayalam month karkidakam), pilgrims under take the ‘Nalambalam Darsanam’ covering the temples of rama at Thriprayar , Lakshmana at Thirumuzhikkulam, Bharatha at Irinjalakuda and Shatrukhna at Payammal.Legend has it that the four images of the heroic brothers Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrukhna, which were washed ashore, were discovered and installed at various sites by a local chieftain .It is considered auspicious to worship at each of these for shrines on a given day. Kodungalloor is quiet picturesque place with religious activity being its main draw. However, with a bustling fishing centre at Azhikode, the Govt has plans to develop Kodungallur as a major fishing harbor on the western coast.
CONNECTIVITY.
By air : the nearest airport is
By rail : thrissur is an important railhead of southern railways and is
Connected to all major cities in Kerala and
By road : well connected by highways with Thiruvananthapuram and
Irinjalakuda, Kodungalloor, and Guruvayoor
Of historic, architectural, and cultural importance, this palace of the erstwhile maharaja of
State museum and Zoo
Built together in the same compound in 1885 and covering an area of 14 acres, the art museum, the natural history museum and the zoo are located at Chempukavu.The zoo is the home of variety of fauna such as endangered lion tailed masque, tiger, lion , sloth, bear, several species of dear and many birds including pink flamingoes.
The natural history museum features specimens of various animals, entomological objects, rocks, and stone sculptures. The main attraction of the museum is the skeleton of biggest elephant in
A classical example of keralite architecture, this temple as low tiled roofs and a profusion of woodwork. We can see a koothmbalm, on the left side of the temple. The Paramekkave temple is near to the Vadakkumnthan temple, one of the main participants of thrissur pooram
It is kerala’s biggest shrine and south
Punnathoorkotta is a unique 'hostel' for elephants where over 60 elephants, brought as ritual offerings to the Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayoor, are groomed. Elephants have always been considered auspicious symbols in Kerala and elsewhere in
Town hall
The main attraction here is the library and an auditorium. It is a monument of erstwhile of Thrissur’s administrative, military and cultural history.
Nattika beach
The beach is equal-distance from thrissur city, Guruvayoor, kodungalloor, and Irinjalakuda. Tourism has just begun to make inroad into this relatively virgin beach wit its long stretch of golden sands .through there are also facilities for deep sea fishing and adventure seekers.
This is the oldest church establishes by st. Thomas, Christ’s apostle who is believed to have come to Kerala in 52AD .the entrance of the church is decorated with 14 granite life size statues of various scenes from the life of st. Thomas. There is a historical museum which exhibits of copper plates, ivory statues; wooden bells, ceremonial chairs, and candle stands, crowns etc.Nearby is Chavakkad beach and the 100 feet high Chettuva lighthouse.
A spectacular festival of festoons, elephants, captivating drum beats, illuminated temples and breathtaking display of pyrotechnics. Thrissur pooram is matched in pomp and pageantry only by the Jagannat Festival in Puri or Dussera celebrations in Mysore.This is indeed the king of festival in Kerala.
This is claimed to be the biggest and tallest church in
This is a church that follows old rites and still holds Mass in Syriac.The church dates back to 1796, when Sakthan Thampuran settled 52 Christian families in thrissur, with a view to developing the place as a centre of trade and commerce. This structure was constructed in 1814. The church has a lovely gabled façade and an ornately carved tulip-shaped pulpit.
Located in the Mukundapurm Taluk of Thrissur. Established in 1984, the sanctuary spans an area of 85ssquare km on the western slopes of Nelliampathy. The dense forest, punctuated by streams and rivers make an ideal habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The diversity of wildlife ere include the endangered lion tailed macques, tiger, leopard mangoose, wild dogs etc. wit more than 160 species of birds are found this place. This place is suitable for trekking and camping. There are one-day trek to the interiors of the forest. the bamboo rafting trips range from two ours to a full day.
The magnificence of nature as seen at Athirappalli waterfall. it attracts many tourists to Thrissur.
Peechi-vazhani wild life sanctuary
Established in 1958, this 125 square km area is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, located 20 km east of thrissur. The habitat ranges from evergreen forest in the higher slopes to semi evergreen forests in the valley. The sanctuary is a rich respiratory of bio-diversity wit several endangered herbs, shrubs, rare medicinal plants and innumerable varieties of orchids. The sanctuary is rich 176 species of birds, 8 species of woodpeckers, 31species of reptiles and 17 species of amphibians. A thousand species of angiosperms are found in the area. You can also visit the Kerala forest research institute in Peechi. It is a treasure trove of books and research covering a wide range of subject like medicinal plants, entomology etc.
Every year on the fourth day of Onam, thrissur reverberates to the rhythm of Pulikkali (tiger dance), an art form in which painted men imitates a tiger and its action. Men don masks, get themselves painted with plastic emulsion and leap around like tigers. As Pulikkali has gained popularity over the years, tableaux and pantomime have been added to the event, lending even more colors to this exciting event. People come in droves to watch the tigers in action at the swaraj round encircling the Thekkinkad Maidan.
Jetty, this shrine was built to commemorate the lending of st.thomas, the apostle, at Cranganore. The shrine is set in a semicircle, with the small church in the centre, flanked by statues of the saint. In front of the church there is a huge statue depicting the moment when Thomas acknowledged the risen Christ. A part of the arm of the saint enshrined in a glass case is opened for viewing at specific intervals to the accompaniment of choir like music. The stall in the church complex sells mementos religious books, posters etc.
In a sprawling ground at the centre of kodungalloor town, is the temple complex that shelters the main idol of kali who killed the demon Daaruka. There’s a crimson cloth hung on the western wall of the sanctum and worship is offered here. Te majestic six-foot high wooden image of Kali, with her eight hands carrying deadly weapons, and face covered by a mask, is carved out of jackfruit tree. There is a shrine to Kshetrapala, the guardian deity, and vasurimala, associated with smallpox. The temple is famous for its annual Bharani festival.
The only temple dedicated to Bharata, Rama’s brother, this is an architectural marvel with imposing gateways, a round sanctorum and a marvelous koothambalam.a fascinating ritual is that of the vazhuthananga naivedyam (brinjal offering). Once, a devotee, suffering from chronic stomach pain, ad a vision of the lord in which he was advised to offer 101 brinjal. Curred immediately of his alignment, thereafter brinjal became offering to the deity.
Close to the temple is the Natana Kairali Research and performing centre that offers training and discourse in a wider range of traditional arts including dance, rare forms of puppetry and theater arts like koodiyattam and koothu. Short –term appreciation courses are available for foreigners. Nearby is also the
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