Thrissur

Thrissur
തൃശ്ശൂര്‍
	Thrissur; തൃശ്ശൂര്‍; ; (angl. Trichur)
	Cultural Capital of Kerala
	Thrissur; തൃശ്ശൂര്‍; Location of Thrissur; തൃശ്ശൂര്‍; ; in Kerala and India
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Thrissur District
Mayor	R. Bindu
Population; • Density	317,474 (2001); • 3,100 /km2 (8,029 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area; • Elevation	101.43 km² (39 sq mi); • 2.83 m (9 ft)
• Pincode	• 680XXX
• Telephone	• +0487
• Vehicle	• KL-8
	Footnotes Temperature Range: 22.5°C -35 °C

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Coordinates: 10°31′N 76°13′E / 10.52°N 76.21°E / 10.52; 76.21

For the district with the same name, see Thrissur district.

Thrissur pronunciation (help·info)(Malayalam: തൃശ്ശൂര്‍) is a city situated in the central region of the state of Kerala, India. It is the headquarters of the Thrissur District. It is known as the 'Cultural Capital of Kerala'. Thrissur city is built around a hillock atop which is the Vadakkumnathan temple which has Shiva as the presiding deity. It is the cultural and spiritual centre of Kerala, offering an array of festivals, historical and natural sights as well as religious experiences.

It is famous for the Thrissur Pooram festival, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala. The festival is held near the Vadakkumnathan temple, in April or May. It has a large number of well-known temples which include the Thiruvambady temple, Vadakkumnatha temple and Paramekkavu temple, and two churches of note, the Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours Puthan Pally or New Church) is the biggest in South Asia. Also the venue of Pulikali during Onam celebrations in August or September. Thrissur is an important business centre in South India and also the best shopping center in Kerala for Silks and Gold ornaments.

[edit] Toponomy

Vadakumnathan Temple Gate

The origin of Thrissur's name is not quite clear. It is believed, the name is derived from 'Thiru-Shiva-Perur' (Malayalam: തൃശ്ശിവപേരൂര്‍), which literally translates to 'The city with the name of Lord Siva'. The term Thrissur is the abbreviated anglicized form of the Malayalam word Thrissivaperur" which means the town of the "Sacred Siva". Thrissur was also known as 'Vrishabhadripuram' and 'Then Kailasam' (Kailasam of the south) in ancient days.^{[citation needed]} Another theory identifies the origin of the name as 'Tri-shiva-peroor' ('the big land with three Shiva temples'), which refers to the three places where Lord Shiva resided, namely Punkunnam Siva temple, Peruvanam Siva temple and Vadakkunnathan temple.

[edit] History

An elephant carrying Thidambu during the Thrissur Pooram festival.

Thrissur has traditionally been a centre of learning. With the decline of Buddhism and Jainism due to the growing supremacy of Brahminism during the revival of Hinduism, Thrissur became an important centre of Sanskrit learning.^{[citation needed]} It is believed that the great Hindu saint Adi Shankara was born in answer to the prayer made by Arayambal and Sivaguru at Vadakkunnathan temple here. Sankara's disciples Hastamalaka, Thotaka, Padmapada and Sudhachara established four Madoms in the city, namely the Northern Madom, the Middle Madom, the In-Between Madom and the Southern Madom.^{[citation needed]} Thrissur has been visited by other religious icons such as Swami Vivekananda and St. Thomas. Sree Narayana Guru, who fought against the caste system in Hindu religion,^[when?] founded his first temple in Koorkanchery.^{[citation needed]}.

In 1790, Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran, ascended the throne of the Kochi kingdom. He rebuilt Thrissur from destruction after attacks from Tipu Sultan's army,^{[citation needed]} clearing the magnificent teak forest around the Vadukunathan Temple. Sakthan Thanpuran is hence known as the architect of Thrissur town. For a brief period, Thrissur was the capital of this kingdom, thus gaining prominence. The Shaktan Thampuran Palace was the abode of the Cochin king. Sakthan Thampuran shifted his residence to Thrissur because of its salubrious climate and for safety from the depredations of the naval powers of the West. Soon Thrissur was built into a flourishing centre of internal trade in the kingdom.

Thrissur has also played a significant part in the political history of South India. During the Civil Disobedience movement of 1921, several people from the city took active part and were arrested. Thrissur district has been in the forefront of the countrywide movement to provide temple entry to the so-called untouchables and for the abolition of untouchability.

[edit] Geography

The region of Thrissur is located in the geographical coordinates of 10 degrees 32 minutes north and 76 degrees15 minutes east longitude. Thrissur Municipal Corporation has a population of 317,474 (2001) spread over an area of 101.42 sq. km. Thrissur city alone accounts for 38% of the urban population in the Thrissur district. Thrissur Development Authority (TDA) area encompasses the Municipal Corporation area and adjoining gram Panchayats. The total area under Municipal Corporation jurisdiction is 101.42 sq. km and the area under the Panchayats is 18.83 sq. km Together the aforesaid constitute the development area covering 120.25 sq. km. According to Census 2001, the total population in the TDA is 344,933 i.e., 317,474 persons in the Municipal Corporation area and 27,459 persons in the Panchayat area.

[edit] Climate

Thrissur city enjoys a tropical climate. The region lies in the south western coastal state of Kerala in India. The best time to visit Thissur city is from October to February. The hot season from March to May is followed by southwest monsoon from June to September. October and November form the post monsoon or retreating monsoon season. The average annual rainfall is 3,159 mm. The southwest monsoon generally sets in during the last week of May. After July the rainfall decreases. On an average, there are 124 rainy days in a year.

The climatic conditions in Thrissur do not face a drastic change in the summer and winterseason. The maximum average temperature of the city in the summer season is 35 degree Celsius while the minimum temperature recorded is 22.5 degrees Celsius. The winter season records a maximum average of 32.3 degree Celsius and a minimum average of 20 degree Celsius. The city is drained in the monsoonal season by heavy showers. The average annual rainfall recorded in the region is 3500 mm. Cold climatic conditions do not prevail in the city of Thrissur.

[edit] Economy

Thrissur, the heartland of Kerala’s business acumen and home to almost every leading Malayali entrepreneur, is a major financial and commercial hub of South India and Kerala after Chennai and Kochi, India .^{[citation needed]} Historians say that Kochi King Sakthan Thampuran invited and settled several Syrian-Christian families and Brahmins to Thrissur city from their business centres in adjoining areas. Soon, Thrissur city was built into a flourishing centre of internal trade in Kerala. Thrissur is referred to as the gold capital of India, as crores of gold jewellery is traded annually in the city. Almost every major jewellery chain in Kerala has branches in Thrissur City. It is one of the main manufacturing centres of plain gold jewellery and rolled gold in South India. 70% of Kerala's jewellery is manufactured in Thrissur. According to the World Gold Council, the total annual sale of gold in Kerala for all purposes is around 70 tonnes while in the Indian market it is around 700 tonnes.

Thrissur is also the headquarters of three major scheduled banks, South Indian Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank and Dhanalakshmi Bank Ltd. There are thousands of chit fund companies around Thrissur city. The other industries are diamond polishing and automobile tire molding. Manappuram General Finance and Leasing Ltd, India's largest listed and highest credit rated gold loan company (a non-banking financial company) is from Thrissur. Thrissur also has the largest International convention centre in Kerala and the second-largest in India, the Lulu Convention Centre. Estimated at Rs 30 crores, it has a helipad, a main hall with a seating capacity of 4,000, four mini-conference halls, a 1,000-seat dinner hall and a four-star hotel. . Major business groups like Kalyan Group, Alukkas, Josco etc. are located in Thrissur. Gulfar Mohammadali, Emke Yousafali, Goodnight Mohan, Ujala Ramachandran, Atlas group, Mr. P.N.C Menon (Sobha Developers) and the like have roots in Thrissur.

The Thrissur Info Park, a 42-acre campus in Koratty, links Thrissur to the information technology highway which it has missed. The Info Park at Thrissur will form a part of the planned hub and spoke model of development with Info Park in Kochi acting as the hub. The information technology park developed in Koratty will be ready for final launch by March, 2009. Thrissur is all set for a quantum jump in the real estate and infrastructure development sectors as many leading developers are coming to the city to set base here.

The economy of Thrissur town also owes to Professor P C Thomas Classes, which has lured many students from all over Kerala to come to Thrissur for entrance exam coaching; and also creates employment by creating commercial spaces for hostels and housing facilities.

[edit] Civic administration

Town Hall at Thrissur where public meetings and cultural programmes are held.

Thrissur Municipality came into existence on 1st July 1949 and the Municipal town was upgraded to the level of a Municipal Corporation on 1st October 2000 with the Panchayats of Ayyanthole, Koorkkenchery, Nadathara, Vilvattom (part), Ollur and Ollukkara. The Corporation comprises of three legislative assemblies (Thrissur, Ollur, Cherpu). 50 members are elected to the corporation council from 50 wards. The Thrissur Mayor is Professor R Bindu.

Thrissur Police is headed by Thrissur Superintendent of Police, who is an IPS officer. The Thrissur Police comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala Home Ministry. The city is divided into two zones, Thrissur Town West and Thrissur Town East. Thrissur have a District Police Office, which enables citizens to avail of speedy processing of passport applications. This facility, termed as the District Passport Cell, started functioning at the Thrissur District Police Office from the 1st of January 2004.

[edit] Politics

Trichur assembly constituency is part of Trichur (Lok Sabha constituency). The current MP is PC Chacko. Therambil Ramakrishnan is the representative of Thrissur constituency in the Kerala State Assembly.

[edit] Transport

Main article: Transport in Thrissur

Thrissur city is largely dependent on private buses, Taxis and auto rickshaws (called autos) for public transport. State-owned Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs inter-state, inter-district and city service. Thrissur have three bus stations. One is Shaktan Thampuran Private Bus Stand, Thrissur in Sakthan Thampuran Nagar (S.T.Nagar). Second one is the Vadakke Stand (Northern Bus Stand) and third one is the KSRTC Bus Station near the Thrissur railway station.

Thrissur city lies on National Highways NH 47 and NH 17. These highways traverse through the entire length and breadth of the city from different points and gain access to nearby cities and towns like Kochi, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Palakkad. It has also many artery roads which connect to other parts of Thrissur district like Chalakudy, Chavakkad, Irinjalakuda, Kodungallur, Mala, Wadakkanchery and Guruvayur.

Thrissur Junction connects Thrissur city to the railway map of India. This station is considered as the gateway to Kerala, by providing trains to any direction. It lies on the busy Shoranur-Cochin Harbour section. Thrissur city have a satellite station in Poonkunnam and two minor stations in Ollur and Mulankunnathukavu. Suburban rail services from Thrissur to other neighbouring districts are on the cards. This will provide fast connectivity to Cochin, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had carried out a study on the feasibility of operating an inter-district suburban-rail service. The report said that suburban services were possible in the Guruvayoor-Thrissur-Cochin; Alappuzha-Cochin; and Kottayam-Cochin sectors. Suburban trains would also see bus commuters shift to it, as the fares will be much lower.

There is no airport in Thrissur city. The Cochin International Airport, which is about 50 kilometres, handles both domestic and international flights. It is the largest airport of Kerala, and one of the busiest in India. Calicut International Airport at Karipur in the Malappuram district, near Calicut, is the second nearest airport near to Thrissur, which is 80 km from the city.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[1] Thrissur had a population of 317,474. Males constitute 48.6% and females constitute 51.4% of the total population. Thrissur has an average literacy rate of 85.6%. The male literacy rate is 86.7%, whereas female literacy rate is 84.6%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Culture and Literature

Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple gate

Thrissur, often hailed as the Cultural Capital of Kerala, is built around a hillock crowned by the famous Vadakkunnathan temple, believed to have been founded by the legendary saint Parasurama. This Shiva temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture and houses several sacred shrines. Asia's highest church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Pally), Our Lady of Lourdes's Metropolitan Cathedral of Syrian Catholics is noted for its imposing interior. Its main attraction is an underground shrine which is a masterpiece of architectural design. The Sacred Heart Latin Church of Latin Catholics and the Marth Mariam Big Church, Indian headquarters of Chaldean/Assyrian Church of the East, are also situated at Thrissur. The district also houses the headquarters of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church in Thozhiyoor. The ancient port of Muziris or Kodungaloor is the cradle of Christianity and Islam in India. This is where St. Thomas arrived in India. Later he established the first church in India at Palayur. Kodungaloor houses the first Muslim mosque of the country built by Cheraman Perumaal, a Hindu king who accepted Islam. It is believed that Aadi Shankara spent his last days here.

Elephants standing on the west side of the Vadakkunnathan Temple during Thrissur Pooram festival for Kudamatam, the famous part of the festival.

Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple.

Sarpa Kavu at Sakthanthamburan palace, Thrissur.

The major cultural attraction is the Thrissur Pooram festival, celebrated during April and May. The Elephant - Umbrella Display competition is spectacular, as richly caparisoned elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas take the deity around the main temple. The passionate drum concerts and the spectacular firework displays are all part of the Pooram celebration. Another attraction of this city is the "Puli Kali" ("Puli" means 'tiger' and "Kali" means 'play') on the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam). It is a procession of different clubs from all over the city. Participants with tiger-striped body paint captivate the onlookers with their energetic dances. The festival attracts thousands to the city. Thrissur is widely acclaimed as the land of elephant lovers.

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Kerala Lalithakala Akademi are headquartered at Thrissur. Kerala Sahitya Akademi was established to promote the growth of Malayalam language and literature. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi promotes dance, music, drama and folk arts of Kerala. Kerala Lalitakala Akademi was established to promote fine arts and artistic heritage.

Jose Theater, the first theatre in Kerala equipped with a movie projector, is in this city. Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi movies are shown in the eight major theatres. For the last few years, the city has been hosting the International Film Festival of Thrissur (IFFT). Around 100 films from 35 countries are shown. It is the second largest film festival in Kerala; the largest is in Thiruvananthapuram. In 2006, another International Film Festival started in Thrissur, nathe mely Thrissur International Film Festival (TIFF).

Thrissur can easily be called the cradle of Indian Communism. Famous thinkers such as Joseph Mundassery, C. Achuthamenon and many others were from this city. Current Books and House of Knowledge were two prominent bookstores in the 1950s to 80s of Thrissur history. A land of famous writers, artists, musicians and journalists as well, Thrissur boasts of having benefited from the best of men and women. All belonging to Thrissur District, Ouseppachan and Johnson are well-known film musicians, Sathian Anthikkad noted film director and M.D Dinesh Nair is one of the most popular poets writing in English on the www.poemhunter.com.

Thrissur is also the birth place of Kerala's Indian Coffee House movement. The first ICH of the state was opened in Thrissur in 1959 with Advocate T.K. Krishnan and Nadakkal Parameswaran Pillai as founders. The laid-back business culture of Thrissur is well known amongst the rest of Kerala. Known for their quick-witted repartee and accents, the Thrissurians still maintain a daily working schedule of 10 am - 7 pm. Thekkinkadu Maidan is full of card players and evening political debates take place here every day.

[edit] Education

Main article: Education in Thrissur

Thrissur is also becoming a leading educational destination in Kerala. With the existence of three medical colleges, a proposed medical university, about a dozen engineering colleges, an ayurveda college, a veterinary college, business schools, well-known arts and science colleges, good residential schools, Thrissur is a scholar's city. It is also the center of coaching classes for the aspiring doctors and engineers of the future, with Professor P C Thomas Classes itself having around 15,000 students dependent on it . Theses coaching classes prepare students for various undergraduate entrance examinations, as well as civil service exam.

[edit] Media

The first newspaper published in Thrissur was Lokamanyan in 1920^{[citation needed]} and the second one was Deenabandhu in 1941^{[citation needed]}. Today, leading newspapers like Mathrubhumi, Express, Thejas, Manorama, Deshabhimani, Kerala Kaumudi, Deepika, Madhyamam and Mangalam have Thrissur editions. Doordarshan and a number of private Malayalam channels have regional studios in the city. The Press Club of Thrissur [1] is situated at Round North. Private FM radio stations in the city are Club FM 94.3 (Mathrubhumi Co Ltd), S FM 93.5 (Sun Network), Best FM 95.0 (Asianet Communications Ltd) and Radio Mango 91.9 (Manorama Printing And Publishing Co Ltd). All India Radio AM/MW Radio Station Thrissur (630) has been broadcasting for several decades. Telephone services are provided by various players like BSNL, Airtel, Idea cellular, Vodafone, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom and Virgin Mobile.

[edit] Sports

Thrissur has a floodlit Football stadium, known as The Corporation Stadium. There are three more stadiums (Thope, Kerala Varma College and Agricultural University). It also has two indoor stadiums (V.K.N.Menon Indoor Stadium & Thope Stadium) and a Sports Authority of India (SAI) maintained swimming pool with international facilities.

The largest &and highest temporary stadium in the world (as per the Guinness Book of World Records) was built here in 1991, with a capacity of 40,000 and a height of 70 feet. It was designed by Er. T.J. Antony. The veteran footballers and former Indian captains C. V. Pappachan, I. M. Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri hail from this city. Thrissur has contributed many national and international bodybuilding stars to India, such as T. V. Poly and V. M. Basheer.

[edit] Places of interest

Pazhanellippurathu Thaikat Mooss family is one of the most famous Ashtavaidya families and said to be the royal physicians of King Zamoorin of Ancient Malabar, Kerala. They migrated to the Ancient Cochin Province for expansion of service to Humanity, and well-supported by the King of Cochin named Sankthan Thampuran. Then they named after the place as Thrissur Thaikat Mooss and the physicians of the family reached their exalted name by healing. Ashtavaidyan Thrissur Thaikat Unni Mooss made his own platform at younger age itself and as a man of vision founded the stone for the SNA Oushadhasala (www.thaikatmooss.com) at 1920.
Shakthan Thampuran Palace, also known as Vadakkekara Palace, was reconstructed in Kerala-Dutch style in 1795 by Sri. Ramavarma Thampuran of the erstwhile Princely State of Cochin, well as Sakthan Thampuran(Greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty) is preserved by Archaeological Department.
The Archeological & Art Museum has a good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewels.
Thrissur Zoo is a major attraction for children and students and holds a variety of animals.
Kerala Sahitya Academy was established on August 15, 1956. It aims at the development of Malayalam language and literature and works in co-operation with the Kendra Sahitya Academy in New Delhi. There is a good library attached to the academy consisting of two sections, the General Section and the Research Section.
Established in 1962, aim of the Kerala Lalitakala Academy is to promote sculpture, painting and visual arts.
Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy was established on April 12, 1938. Its aim is to foster and develop Kerala dance, drama and music and to promote the cultural unity of Kerala. It works in close collaboration with the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy in New Delhi for the enrichment of Indian culture. A regional theatre has been constructed in Thrissur with all modern facilities.
Appan Thampuran Smarakam was established in 1976 at Ayyanthole, where Sri. Ramavarma Appan Thampuran lived in the Kumarapuram Palace. This is also a cultural museum.
Vilangan Kunnu has been converted by the tourism department to an amusement park. While grown-ups relish the scenic splendor from the hill top, children can relax and play.
Brahmaswam Madhom (Rigvedic school)
Vadakkechira, Thrissur is one of the oldest ponds in Thrissur city. It was built by Shakthan Thampuran (1751-1805) and is one of Thrissur’s famous landmarks. Members of the Cochin royal family and priests of the Ashokeswaram temple used to have bath at the ghats on the northern side of the pond, and the public at those on other sides.
Spread over an area of 348 acres, the Kerala Police Academy has the capacity for training 1950 trainees of various ranks (1,500 constables, 400 officers and 50 women constables) at a time, which is the highest in India and second highest in Asia. The Academy is located in Ramavarmapuram. It cost Rs. 220 million.
The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) under the control of both Central and State Governments is situated at Mulankunnathukavu, Thrissur. It is the only institute for residential training of Grama Panchayath/municipality/corporation-elected members and its staff. Being an international institute, trainees come from India and abroad.
Swaraj Round, also known as Thrissur Round, is at the heart of the city and rounds the Vadakkumnathan Temple.
The second Dog Training Center in India and the only one in South India is the one in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh.
The fireworks displayed at Thrissur Pooram are said to be the second largest in Asia, the first being the one at Nenmara Vallangi Vela in Palakkad district.