Pilgrim Centres of Thrissur
Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple (29 km west of Thrissur)
Guruvayoor, known as Kasi of the South is famous for the Sree Krishna temple which has Guruvayoorappan or the infant Krishna, as the deity. Legend has it that the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods and Vayu, the God of winds. The most famous offering of the temple is Thulabharam, where a devotee presents to the deity his own body weight against products like bananas, rice etc. The Vishnu's idol here, made of rare stone is believed to possess healing qualities, especially for rheumatism. The 16th century poet Melppathur Narayana Bhattathiri, who suffered from rheumatic pain, is said to have sought relief from Guruvayoorappan, after which he composed Narayaneeyam, in praise of the Lord. Exquisite paintings around the Sreekovil depicting stories of the pranks of little Krishna stand testimony for the art of a period. The 111alldapam facing the Sreekovill is resplendent with beautiful carvings. Non Hindus are not allowed in Guruvayoor temple.
Bhagavathy Temple, KodungaIIoor (50 km from Kochi)
This temple is famous for the Bharani festival .On bharani day, special nivedya (nectar) known as Variyarippayasamam is offered to Bhagavathy. This is performed by Adikals (priests). Early morning, the deity is ceremoniously taken out of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and placed on a raised pedestal for public worship. Simultaneously, the temple flag is hoisted signifying the victory of Bhagavathy over Darika (evil). After the bharani day, the temple doors remain closed for six days during which period, pooja is offered only once in a day. On the seventh day when the Sreekovil is opened, thousands have d harshan (vision) of Devi which is considered most auspicious.
Koodalmanickam Temple, Irinjalakkuda (21 km from Thrissur)
The only temple in India dedicated to Lord Bharatha, brother of Sree Rama is the ancient and historic Koodalmanickam temple. Meenoottal, feeding of the fishes in the Kuleepini theertham, the temple pond is an important ritual here. The temple festival is held for all days in Medom (April-¬May) from Utram to Thiruvollam asterisms. Chakyarkoothu is performed in the temple theatre during the festival.
Vadakkunathan Temple(in the heart of the city)
This is a classic example of the Kerala's traditional architecture. Holy shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranarayana, Ganapathy, Sree Rama and Sree Krishna are housed here. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vignettes carved in wood. This temple is the site for the famous Thrissur Pooram. The main vazhipaad (offering) here is ghee.
Sree Rudhira Mahakali Temple (Uthralikkavu), Vadakkancherry (2 km from Parithipra on the way to Shoranur)
The annual festival of this temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, is one of the famous festivals of Central Kerala. Known as Uttralikkavu Pooram , the eight-day long festival has as its highlight, about twenty-one caparisoned tuskers. Festivities end with a colourful display of fireworks.
Mammiyoor Siva Temple (1 km from Guruvayoor)
This temple houses two adjacent shrines of Sankaranarayana and Shiva. Mammiyoor and Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple are linked to each other in several aspects and it is therefore considered auspicious to worship them on the same day.
Sree Rama Temple, Kadavallur(10 km from Kunnamkulam)
A unique feature of this temple is the annual twelve-day Anyonnam, a scholarly debate on Vedas . Vedic scholars from all over Kerala participate in this. Sree Rama is worshipped in three forms here- in the morning as in vanavaasa (exile in forest), at noon as in sethu bandhana [in a roudra(angry) mood] and at night as the king of Ayodhya.
Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungalloor(20 km from Irinjalakuda)
This is the first mosque in India. Legend says King Cheraman Peru mal of Kodungallor left for Mecca, embraced Islam, accepted the name Thajuddeen and married the sister of the then King of Jeddah. Before his death Thajuddeen handed over to the King of Jeddah several letters addressed to Kerala kings seeking their help to propagate Islam. The King came to Kerala and met the then King of Kodungalloor who helped the former convert Arathali temple into a Juma Masjid. This mosque was designed and constructed based on Hindu art and architecture. It was built in 629 AD and resembles a temple in appearance.
Potta Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor(35 km from Thrissur)
This centre is famous for live-in retreats and conventions, through which evangelists and preachers share and proclaim the 'word of God'.
Ramakrishna Ashram, Vilangan (9 km from Thrissur)
The Ramakrishna Mission has a number of ashrams in the State, which serve as centers of meditation. These centers uphold the ideals of Vedanta as taught by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. The first branch of the mission was set up in Haripad in 1912. The Thrissur ashram (Vilangans) was set up in 1927.