Thrissur is a well-known city in Kerala. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India and attracts tourists from all over the world. Thrissur has many attractions that can be visited by tourists. Some of these attractions include the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Vadakkunnathan Temple, Paramekkavu Bagavathy Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple and many others. These places make Thrissur a must visit place for people visiting Kerala or people who want to enjoy their vacations in this beautiful city.
Best Places to Visit Near Thrissur
Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur Temple is one of the most important temples in Kerala, and a famous pilgrimage center. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, and it attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Guruvayur Temple is very famous for its elephant procession during festivals such as Onam.
The temple is situated in the town of Guruvayur, which is around five kilometers from Thrissur city. The temple complex is spread over an area of 57 acres and has a beautiful garden.
Athirapally Falls

- Athirapally Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala. It is located in the heart of the Western Ghats, near Vagamon.
- The falls are a popular destination for trekking and camping. The waterfalls are visited by travelers from all over India and abroad.
- Athirapally Falls is one of Kerala’s most famous waterfalls and attracts thousands of tourists every year, especially during monsoon season when it becomes a raging torrent that can reach up to 80 feet wide as it crashes into pools below, creating a beautiful spectacle from above or below.
- The waterfalls are formed by the Chalakudy River, which flows through the Western Ghats in Kerala. The river originates from Anamudi and Kottakkunnu hills in Western Ghats.
Peechi dam and wildlife sanctuary
Peechi Dam, located in Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, is the biggest dam in Kerala. The reservoir has a beautiful setting and it makes for an interesting day trip. This place is perfect for boating, swimming and fishing. Bird watching is another popular activity here while trekking through the forested areas around the reservoir adds to its charm.
Kodungallur Bharani festival
Bharani festival is one of the major festivals in Kerala. Bharani festival is celebrated during the month of Kumbham. The 10-day long celebrations are known to have originated from Kodungallur region. In this article, we will discuss about some interesting facts related to Bharani Festival.
Bharani Festival is celebrated in honor of Devi Bharati, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. According to Hindu mythology, Devi Bharati was born when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were meditating on Mount Govardhan and she was born out of their meditation as an embodiment of peace, prosperity and wisdom for all living beings on earth. It is believed that Devi Bharati gave her blessings to many famous musicians like Purandara Dasa who composed devotional songs based on bhajans written by his guru Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha (Vaikom Mooppen).
Arattupuzha Pooram
Pooram is a festival that lasts for 10 days and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam. This festival commemorates the victory of good over evil and is celebrated at Arattupuzha with great pomp and show.
The festival begins with the flag hoisting and ends with the lowering of the flag. In between, there are several events that are organized by the temple authorities as well as devotees who wish to participate in it. The celebrations also include fireworks, cultural programs and many other fun activities for children.
Vaddakunnathan temple
Vadakkunnathan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important temples in Kerala. The temple is situated in Thrissur district of Kerala, India.
This temple was built by the ruling king Rama Varma Kulashekhara Perumaal who ruled from 1251-1268 AD. This temple was also renovated by other kings like Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Ramavarma Thampuran, etc.
It is said that this temple was built after demolishing an earlier structure which housed a Jain idol inside it. In some parts of this temple we can find small images of Buddha besides an idol depicting him meditating under a banyan tree.
Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary
The basin of the Parambikulam River is home to many species of birds, reptiles, mammals and fish. Located at a distance of 60km from Thrissur, it can be accessed by road from Thrissur.
The best time to visit this wildlife sanctuary is during the monsoon season (June-September) when there are heavy rains and the forests become dense with greenery that allows animals easy access to food sources. However if you have time then visiting it in winter (November-February) would also be worthwhile as most animals stay near water bodies during this season and therefore your chances of spotting them increases.
Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala
Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala. This city has a rich heritage and culture, dating back to the 9th century AD. It is known as the land of temples, with around 100 temples located in and around Thrissur city. Some of these temples include Vadakkumnathan Temple, Guruvayoor Temple and Paramekkavu Temple. There are many other attractions in Thrissur such as Chalakkudy River, Neyyar Dam Reservoir and Peechi Dam Reservoir which attracts visitors from all over India as well as abroad.
The best time to visit Thrissur is during festival season from January to May when you can enjoy various festivals like Onam Festival at Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple or Vishu Festival at Sreevaraham Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple or Attukal Pongala festival or Pooram Festival at all major temples in Thrissur district including Vadakkunnathan temple where thousands gather every year on 18th day (18th night) after full moon day which falls during Malayalam month Medam (March-April).
Thrissur cuisine consists of South Indian food with Chinese elements while seafood dishes are very popular here especially in coastal areas such as Kappad Beach near Kozhikode where one can find several small eateries serving fresh fish dishes made with coconut milk curry along with rice/Roti/Paratha etc., accompanied by pickles made out of local fruits like mangoes and bananas etc.
Conclusion
Thrissur is also known as the cultural capital of Kerala, and for good reason. With so many temples and festivals to visit, there’s always something going on in Thrissur. The city is packed with history and culture; it has some of the most beautiful art museums in India; plus, there are plenty of things to do outdoors like hiking or birdwatching at Athirapally Falls or Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want a quick break from city life and want to explore nature then this list of places near Thrissur should help guide your travels!
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Michael has been a traveler and blogger since he was 17 years old. Now his passion is hiking, traveling, camping, and revealing his outdoor secrets. Stay connect with us for outdoor events and camping trips together.