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Thrissur

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Thrissur( Trichur / Trissur)
Thrissur ( Trichur / Trissur)
Location of Thrissur( Trichur / Trissur)
Government
 • MayorProf. R. Bindu
Population
 (2001)
 • Total
317,474
Temperature Range: 22.5°C -35 °C
For the district with the same name, see Thrissur district.

Thrissur I Trichur / Trissur) pronunciationⓘ (Malayalam: തൃശ്ശൂര്‍) is a city situated in the center of Kerala (Malayalam: കേരളം) state, India.It is the head quarters of Thrissur District. The city has a population of around 3.2 lakhs. It is an important cultural centre, and is known as the "cultural capital" of Kerala. It is famous for the Thrissur Pooram festival, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala. It has a large number of well-known temples, Thiruvambady temple, Vadakkumnatha temple and Paramekkavu temple, and two churches of note, the Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral and the Our Lady of Dolour's "New Church" Basilica (the biggest in South Asia). The Kerala Police Academy (Second largest in India) is situated in this city.

Etymology

The name Thrissur is derived from 'Thiru-Shiva-Perur' (Malayalam: തൃശ്ശിവേപരൂര്‍) , which literally translates to "The city of the SACRED SIVA". Thrissur was also known as Vrishabhadripuram and Then Kailasam (Kailasam of the south) in ancient days.

Main article: History of Thrissur
File:Pooram Elephant 4.jpg
An elephant carrying Thidambu during Thrissur pooram festival.

From very early times Thrissur has 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 Vadakkunathan temple. Sankara's disciples Hastamalaka, Thotaka, Padmapada and Sudhachara established four Madoms(mutt) in the city, namely the Northern Madom, the Middle Madom, the ln-Between Madom and the Southern Madom respectively[citation needed].

This sacred land had been visited by other religious icons like Swami Vivekananda, St. Thomas and Sree Narayana Guru, who fought against the caste system in Hindu religion, founded his first temple in Koorkanchery[citation needed].

Thrissur, for a brief period, was the capital of the Kochi kingdom. The Shaktan Thampuran palace, which was the abode of the Cochin king, Shaktan Thampuran, was recently renovated by the Archeological Survey of India.

Thrissur gained prominence under the reign of Raja Rama Varma, who is referred as Sakthan Thampuran, in 1790. It was Sakthan Thampuran to whom the modern Thrissur is ever indebted, because it was he who rebuilt Thrissur from the destruction caused by the attacks of Tipu Sultan's army.

From ancient times, Thrissur city has played a significant part in the political history of South India. Even as early as 1919 a committee of the Indian National Congress was functioning in Thrissur[citation needed]. In the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1921, several persons in city took active part and courted arrest.

Long ago, the vast open area around the Vadakkumnatha temple was a magnificent teak forest called Thekkinkaadu. Today, the forest has given way to one of the most important cultural, educational and commercial hub of Kerala.

Geography and Climate

Thrissur is situated in south western India 10°31′N 76°13′E / 10.52°N 76.21°E / 10.52; 76.21 and is in the central part of Kerala state, India. Thrissur is at sea level and spans an area of about 66.15 km². The center of the city is the Vadakkumnathan temple located on a small hillock. Thrissur Round (Swaraj Round) is the second largest ring road around a ground in India after Connaught Place in New Delhi.

The city enjoys a tropical climate, the monsoons start in June. The months of April-May can get pretty humid which is also one of the best time to visit the city for the famed Thrissur Pooram. The best weather is from October to February.

Economy

File:Vatakumnadhan.jpg
Elephants standing behind west side of the Vadakkunathan during Thrissur pooram festival for Kudamatam the famous part of festival .

Historians say that Sakthan Thamburan invited Brahmins from neighbouring Pandya Kingdom, and established them at Oottupura (Mass Feeding centres) and encouraged them to do business in textiles.

Thrissur can also be referred as the golden capital of India, since there is around Rs.700 crore business of gold every year in the city[citation needed]. Almost every major jewellery shop in Kerala has its branches in the city. It is the major gold ornament designing and construction center in South India.

Thrissur is also known as the financial hub of Kerala. It is the Head Quarters of three major scheduled banks, South Indian Bank, Catholic Syrian Bank and Dhanalakshmi Bank Ltd. There are over 4200 chit companies around the city doing roaring business. The other industries are diamond polishing and tyre moulding.

Government and Politics

Thrissur has one Member of Parliament constituency. The current MP is Sri C.K.Chandrappan. The city mayor is Prof.R Bindu. The M.L.A of Thrissur City constituency is Sri Therampil Ramakrishnan.

The Corporation of Thrissur was established on 30th September 2000. 50 members are elected to the corporation council from 50 wards.

Transport

Thrissur is well connected to other cities in Kerala. It has good connectivity by both Rail and Road and is within 55 km from the new Kochi International Airport and 80 km from the Kozhikode Airport. Thrissur Railway Station is on the artery of the railway line that connects the Southern part of Kerala with the rest of India. Thrissur also lies on the National Highway NH-47. It is well connected to nearby Cities and Towns like Kochi, Kozhikode, Coimbatore and Palakkad. Thrissur has one KSRTC Bus Station and three Private Bus Stands. The southern private bus stand is named after the ruler Sakthan Thampuran and is in S.T. Nagar. The Northern Bus Stand is known as Vadakke Stand, which is a translation for Northern Bus Stand in the local language Malayalam. The third bus stand is at the M.O. Road and is called The Municipal Bus Stand or old Bus Stand.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Thrissur had a population of 317,474. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thrissur has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 85%. In Thrissur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Hindus and Christians constitute the bulk of the population of this city. Muslims are a minority in the city.

The Ezhavas and the Nairs are numerically the most dominant castes of Thrissur. There is also a large population of Ambalavasis and Pattars (Tamil brahmins). The Scheduled Castes also form a significant section among the Hindus of the city.

The Syrian Catholics and the Chaldean Syrians are the main sections of the Christian Community in the city.

Culture

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

Thrissur often hailed as the cultural capital of Kerala, is built around a hillock, crowned by the famous Vadakkunathan (Siva) Temple, believed to have been founded by legendary Parasurama. The temple is a classical example of Kerala style of architecture and houses several sacted shrines. It is believed that Adi Shankara spent his last days here.

Thrissur also has added to its name The Church of Our Lady of Dolours, popularly known as the New Church [or Puthen Palli in Malayalam]. It is the biggest and tallest church in South Asia[citation needed]. The Metropolitan of the Chaldean Syrian Church (the name used for the Church of the East in India) is also headquartered in Thrissur, and many religious publications are printed by Mar Narsai Press.

The major cultural attraction is the Thrissur Pooram festival, celebrated during April - 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 Pooram celebration. Another attraction of this city is the "Puli Kali" ("Puli" = Tiger & "Kali" = Play) on the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam). It is a procession of different clubs from all over the city and everyone will be in the make up of tiger. It attracts thousands to the city.

Kerala Sahithya Akademy, Sangeetha Nataka Akademy and Kerala Lalithakala Academy are head quartered at Thrissur making the epithet 'cultural capital of Kerala' more meaningful.

Thrissur is also the birth place of Kerala's Indian Coffee House movement. The first ICH owned by its employees of the state opened in Thrissur in 1957.

Jos Theater, the first theater in Kerala equipped with a movie-projector, is in this city, . Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi movies are being released in the eight major theaters in the city.

Thrissur is also famous in the Indy-Pop Scene. The Indy-Pop bands like Seven and Jigsawpuzzle are from this city.

For the last few years, city has been hosting the International Film Festival of Thrissur(IFFT). Around 100 films from 35 countries are taking part in the festival. It is the second largest film festival in Kerala after the one in Thiruvananthapuram. In 2006 There was one more International Film Festival started in Thrissur named Thrissur International Film Festival(TIFF).

Lulu International Convention Center (Second Largest in India) with helipad facilities is situated in this city.

Education

Thrissur can also be called as the Educational Capital of Kerala like Coimbatore to Tamil Nadu. This city is considered to be the most appropriate place for entrance(Engineering & Medical) coaching in Kerala. Kerala Agricultural University is situated in this city. There are three Medical Colleges, number of Engineering Colleges, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Law College, Ayurveda College, College of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Co-operation & Banking and Mangement, Govt.Fine Arts College and a number of private Arts Colleges make the fame 'Educational Capital of Kerala' more meaningful.

Media

The first newspaper which published from Thrissur was Lokamanyan in 1920[citation needed]. Then came Deenabandhu in 1941[citation needed]. Now the leading newspapers like Malayala Manorama, Express, Mathrubhumi ,Desabhimani, Kerala Kaumudi, Deepika and Madhyamam have Thrissur editions. Doordarshan and a number of private Malayalam Channels are having regional studios in city. The Press Club of Thrissur is situated at Round North.

Sports

Thrissur has a lot of Sporting tradition behind it. The veteran footballer I.M Vijayan (former Indian captain) & Joe Paul Anchery hails from this city.

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.

Thrissur has contributed many national and international body building stars to India, T.V.Poly and V.M.Basheer to name a few.

Places of interest in Thrissur City

  • Shakthan Thampuran Palace Named 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.
  • Thrissur Zoo It is a major attraction for children and students with a variety of animals.
  • Kerala Sahitya Academy 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 2 sections the General Section & the Research Section.
  • Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy This was established in 1962, the aim of the Academy is to promote the sculpture, painting and visual arts.
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy It is also located in city and was established on April 12, 1938. It's aim is to foster and develop Kerala Dance, Drama and Music and to promote through 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 is constructed in Thrissur with all modern facilities.
  • Appan Thampuran Smarakam Established in 1976 at Ayyanthole where Sri. Ramavarma Appanthampuran who lived the Kumarapuram Palace. This is also a cultural Museum
  • Vilangan Kunnu This hillock has been converted by the tourism department as an amusement park. While grown ups relish the scenic splendor from the hill top. Children can relax and play to their hearts.

Notes

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