Thrissur Pilgrim Centre

Vadakkumnathan Temple

Among the most reserved temple of Kerala, a lofty stone wall and four imposing gopurams enfold the Vadakkumnathan Temple and its cover of scared, medicinal trees. A classical example of Keralite architecture, this temple of Kerala has low, tiled roofs and a profusion of woodwork. When on a Kerala pilgrimage tour you can see decorative murals depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. A striking feature of the temple is the koothambalam, on the left as you enter the temple.

One of the unique aspects is the ghee that is poured over the Shiva linga for abhishekam every day. The ghee becomes solid and remains there for about a year during which time it does not melt. It is taken out manually and distributed as prasadam.

Near Vadakkumnathan temple of Kerala is the Paramekkavu Temple, one of the main participants for the Thrissur Pooram. Though renovated in 1998, the shrine is ancient and the idol, often clad in gold, has a rare beauty. When on Kerala tour travel also worth seeing is the wooden latticework that holds oil lamps offered by devotees.

Basilica of our Lady of Dolours

With its three storied façade and even higher steeples that tower above the town’s skyline, this is claimed to be the biggest and tallest Church in Asia. An architectural marvel, the church has triple towers built in Gothic style, an array of 15 altars and musical church bells imported from Germany.

The ceiling is adorned with beautiful mural paintings of the Holy Trinity. Look for the pulpit and the throne used by Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1986. Other highlights are the wall paintings, the crypts and the perpetual adoration center and is a must visit place when on a Kerala tour travel.

Sree Krishna Temple

An air of piety pervades the atmosphere around Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur where thousands of devotees wait in long queues to have a fleeting glimpse of Guruvayurappan. It is Kerala’s biggest shrine and South India’s second largest revenue earner and must be included ins your itinerary when on a Kerala pilgrimage tour.

In front of the temple, there is the 33.5 meters high gold plated dwajasthanbha, or flag staff. The deity here is renowned for its healing powers and several offerings are made by devotees, ranging from the simple archana to the expensive Udayastamana puja.

Palayur Church

This is said to be the oldest among the churches established by St. Thomas, Christ’s apostle who is believed to have come to Kerala in 52 AD. The jubilee door in front of the entrance to the main hall of the church portrays various Biblical events, carved in Burmese teak. Other highlights include Thaliyakulam, a pond where St. Thomas baptised the local people and a replica of Little Mount in Chennai where he died. The Thaliyakulam is said to have miraculous powers of healing and a community baptism is held once a month here. On a Kerala pilgrimage tour you can also see a historical museum which houses exhibits of copper plates, ivory statues, wooden bells, ceremonial chairs, candle stands, crowns, wooden tabernacle etc. As you come out of the museum, you will see a solitary boat anchored in a pond, symbolic of the apostle’s landing in Palayur.

Lourdes cathedral

This is one of the three most important churches in Thrissur town. Established in 1885, it was elevated to a cathedral in 1891. A flight of steps, from the altar, leads to an underground prayer chamber.

Martha Mariyam Chaldean Church

What makes this church so distinctive is the absence of idols or pictorial representation of Christ. A cross is the only symbol you will see. This is a church that follows old rites and still holds Mass in Syriac.

Claimed to be the oldest church Syrian Church in India, the local community refer to it as Valiya Palli (big church), because of its age, not size. The church dates back to 1796, when Sakthan Thrissur with a view to developing the palace as a centre of trade and commerce. This structure was constructed in 1814.