Important Places |
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The foundation stone of the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours is laid on 21st December, 1929 by His Excellency Mar Francis Vazhappilly, the Late Bishop of Thrissur. The church was blessed on 24th November, 1940. When they built the church they also built two bell towers in the front of the church in 140 feet and envisaged another bell tower in the back of the church in 260 feet. They could not build that bell tower in the back side of the church because of the lack of money. But it was the dream of the Catholics in Thrissur.The reconstruction of that bell tower started in 2002 when the present Auxiliary Bishop of Thrissur Mar Andrews Thazhath was the Rector of the Basilica.
In 2004 when all the bishops of India were present here in Thrissur for the CBCI General Assembly held in
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Thrissur His Eminence Cardinal Daud Moosa blessed that Tower in the name Bible Tower. His Excellency Most Reverend Dr Pedro Lopez Quintana was also present for the function and dedicated the Bible tower for World Peace.
Special features of the Bible Tower
It stands in 260 feet height and the highest church tower in India
The wooden door of the Bible Tower is in scripted with Bible words
he Bible Tower depicts the whole life of Jesus and the life of the Early Church in different materials
The infancy of Jesus is represented in Wooden Carvings
The healing of the sick is depicted in Stain Glass
The miracles of Jesus is represented in Brass Etching
The passion of Christ is shown in Oil Painting
The resurrection of Jesus is depicted in bright Canvas
The life of St.Thomas is depicted in Mural Painting
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Thrissur Pooram
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The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram attracts large masses of devotees and spectators from all parts of the State and even outside. Celebrated in Madom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakumnathan temple, Thrissur. The most impressive processions are those from the Krishna Temple at Thiruvanbadi and the Devi Temple at Paramekkavu which is quite a significant event for its devotees.
This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of the erst while Kochi State. Perhaps, there is no other festival in Kerala that draws such an unbelievable number of people to a single event. However
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Vadakkunnathan is a mere spectator at this festival, lending its premises and grounds for the great event. The pooram festival is also well known for the magnificient display of fire works. Fire works start in the early hours and the dazzling display last three to four hours. The Pooram Festival is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols, several kinds of which are raised on the elephants during the display. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.
The procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkumnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five precussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed.
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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. |
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Guruvayur Temple
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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
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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.
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New Church Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours
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Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours was got an area of 25000sq.ft with three towers, two in front and one in rear. The front towers are having a height of 146 feet and the rear tower is having a height of 260 feet. The great Maharaja of Cochin, His Excellency Rama Varma issued the sanction to build a big church at Thrissur. He wished at that time tat" the New Church must be the biggest church in Asia" The wish of Maharaja was fulfilled in 1940 when the church was blessed by His Ex.Rt.Rev.Dr.Francis Vazhapilly.
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Art Museum
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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.
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Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls
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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.
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Cheruthuruthy (Kerala Kalamandalam)
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North of Thrissur, 29km away near the Shoranur Railway Junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.
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Peechi Dam, 23km from Thrissur 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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Punnathur Kotta
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Near Guruvayur, 2km away, is 'Punnathur Kotta', the place where the temple elephants (numbering over 40) are taken care of. Nowhere else can so many elephants be seen at any one time.
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This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architectrue. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. ' Thrissur Pooram ' the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala, is celebrated here in April -May every year.
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Zoo
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For the animal enthusiasts, Thrissur boasts a zoo, 2km from the town centre. Within the 13.5 acres of the compound live a variety of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, sloth bear, species of birds and deer. The snake park has a reptilian collection of King Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Rat Snakes.
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