Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, is known after the Vadakkumnathan Temple of the region. It also has a wide range of options from forests and seashores to museums and shrines to enchant visitors. Here are a few of them.

The Thrissur town is laid out around a 65-acre hill called Thekkinkad Maidanam. On the hill is the renowned shrine Vadakkumnatha temple. The Thrissur Pooram takes place on this ground. The Swaraj Round fringes the ground and as a cascade, the town is designed as ‘rounds.’

The temple is dedicated to Vaishnavi Devi and is the largest temple in the state to have this presiding deity. It is estimated that the temple is 1000 years old. The temple is open to devotees from 4 am to 4 pm.

The 2500 sq ft Dolours Basilica is built in the Indo-Gothic style. It is the third-largest in Asia and the largest in the country with double-storey corridors. The basilica is the place of worship for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The church can be seen from Paramekkavu and takes 10 minutes by road from there.

The renowned temple is one of the most important pilgrimage centers for Hindus in Kerala. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is known for its unique rituals and festivals. If you like elephants, you can also visit the Elephant Camp near the temple, where you can observe the daily routines of the temple elephants.

The museum in Thrissur town has a vast collection of artifacts that span different periods of Kerala's history. It has many interesting galleries, mural paintings, wood carvings, ethnographic objects, and precultural artifacts that shed light on early human settlements in the region.

The palace was once the residence of the Cochin rulers, and it is a museum now. It showcases both Dutch and Kerala architectural styles and has a well-maintained palace ground. You also get to see the crown and veil of the renowned ruler Shakthan Thampuran, who started the famous Thrissur Pooram, here.

Kerala Kalamandalam, Peechi Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary, Chavakkad Beach, Koodalmanikyam Temple, Athirapally, and Vazhachal Waterfalls are some of the other sights you might want to check out in Thrissur.