Vadakkumnathan Temple - An Architectural Wonder in Wood And Stone

Vadakkumnathan Temple

AT

THRISSUR

An architectural marvel in wood and stone, the Vadakkumnathan Temple, one of the oldest in the state, stands tall right at the heart of Thrissur, in a nine-acre walled patch of green. This centuries-old temple which is a classic example of Kerala's rich cultural heritage has sent flutters in the international circuit by clinching the ‘Award of Excellence’ last year at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for taking great strides in protecting its legacy in architecture. And now it stands tall, restored to its old glory.

It was no easy feat for the team of archaeologists, craftsmen and others who toiled to restore the temple to its original state, an effort that spanned more than 10 years. The work was carried out under the guidance and control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Every effort was taken to keep the original structure intact and renovate in the traditional way.

Restoration of the stunning centuries-old murals, intricately carved wooden sculptures, and exquisite wood work were done keeping in line with rituals and using only organic matter. The restoration process used the same methods and techniques that were used for the original construction.

A walk through the serene surrounds of the temple will treat you to a heady mix of architectural beauty, heritage, culture and history. The temple is also renowned across the world for its Pooram Festival. Lakhs of devotees and tourists gather every year to witness the famous "Thrissur Pooram" at the temple premises where ceremoniously decorated elephants are paraded amidst much fanfare and which also involves a spectacular display of fireworks.

This majestic structure nestled right in the centre of a buzzing local life has many a story to recount. Are you willing to lend an ear?

Our Lady Of Dolours Church – It Is The First Catholic Church In Thrissur District Of Kerala State Of India

OUR LADY OF DOLOURS CHURCH

AT

THRISSUR

Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Pally) is claimed to be the biggest and tallest church in Asia, situated in the heart of the city of Thrissur in the Kerala state of south India.

It is famous for its Gothic style architecture with an area of 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2), it has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one.

It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures. An array of 15 altars and musical church bells imported from Germany.

The ceiling is decorated with marvellous mural paintings of the holy trinity. Look for the pulpit and the throne used by Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1986.

Thrissur's first Catholic church, it was a center for St. Thomas Christians or Mar Thoma Nazrani in the area (now the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) for decades. In 1874, the Chaldean Catholic bishop Elias Mellus arrived in India and convinced a large part of the Christian community to accept him as their bishop.

The group that followed Mellus was based at Our Lady of Dolours, and eventually separated from the Catholic hierarchy, forming what is now known as the Chaldean Syrian Church. In response the Syro-Malabar Catholics constructed a new building in 1929. The original church was renamed the Mart Mariam Big Church, and is now the cathedral of the Chaldean Syrian Church.

The construction of this biggest church in India was done in different phases, started in the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet (45 m) height each and the central tower of 260 feet (79 m) height makes this church as tallest in Asia.

Completion of the towers were an architectural challenge. Few experts from TamilNadu were brought over. Architect who completed the church was Ambrose Gounder.

The notable feature here is the 260 feet high Bible tower at the rear of the church. Blessed in 2004, this tower depicts the whole life of Jesus and is the first Christian art gallery in Kerala. Visitors get a panoramic view of Thrissur city from the top of the tower. Working hours of the bible tower is from 10am to 6 pm, from Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to 7.30pm, on Saturdays and Sundays. The tower remains closed on Mondays.

Dwaraka Of The South-Guruvayurappan Temple

GURUVAYURAPPAN TEMPLE

AT

GURUVAYUR

 Guruvayoor temple is located in Thrissur district of kerala state of india.

Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna Temple, considered the Dwaraka of the South. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery.

 According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods, and Vayu, God of the winds.

The presiding deity is MahaVishnu, in standing posture with four hands carrying Sankhu(conch), Sudarshana chakram (a serrated disk),lotus and mace. He is worshipped as Balakrishna, the full avatar (Purnaavatara) of Mahavishnu .The idol is made of a rare stone known as Patala Anjana.

Parents do the first rice feeding (Choru Oottal in Tamil and Malayalam) to their children, a ritual called Anna prasanam in this temple on April 14 each year being the Chithirai Vishu-Tamil New year day.  It is their staunch faith that Lord would take care of the child with nutritious food for ever.

The temple celebrates many Vaishnava festivals among which the Vrichika Ekadasi is very important.  The festival begins 18 days earlier.  The temple has 52 elephants.  They only open temple doors. 

 As an elephant carries Lord during festivals, a running race is conducted among them and the winner elephant would thus become eligible to carry the Lord during festivals.

The idol of Lord Unnikrishna is made of a mixture called Padala Anjanam and not of stone or any metal.  It is also said that the idol was designed and made by Lord Himself.

  

He gave the idol to His devotee Uthava residing in Dwaraka and instructed him to deliver the idol to Prahaspathi-Guru Bhagwan when Dwaraka would be swallowed by a tsunami and added that Guru can install it in a place of his choice.

 As destined, Vayu became violent and blew fast.  Sea became furious and devoured Dwaraka.  He picked the idol floating in sea water, picked it up and installed it in Guruvayoor.  The place derived its name from Guru and Vayu.

THE TEMPLE OPENS AT 3.00 AM

3.00am to 3.30am    Nirmalyam
3.20am to 3.30am    
Oilabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam

3.30am to 4.15am    Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram
4.15am to 4.30am    Usha Nivedyam
4.30am to 6.15am    Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja
7.15am to 9.00am    Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja
11.30am to 12.30pm    Ucha pooja (the noon pooja)

TEMPLE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1.30PM AND 4.30PM AND REOPENS AT 4.30 PM

By Air

Kochi international airport (Nedumbassery) is 80 kms from Guruvayoor and the Calicut airport is 100 kms away. All major international flight services are operated from these airports.

By Train

 Guruvayur has got a railway station towards the east of the temple which is connected to the Madras-Kochi line of the Southern Railway at Thrissur. 

By Bus

KSRTC and private busses offer interstate services to all major South Indian cities like Madras, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Coimbatore, Thiruchandoor, Mysore, Mangalore, Uduppi, Mookambika etc. 

THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL

THRISSUR POORAM

AT

KERALA

Thrissur pooram commonly called the pooram of all poorams. It is one of the mammoth pooram festival in kerala. It is a 36 hours continous pooram attracting a huge mass of people from different places including international tourists.

The pooram starts at the time of Kanimangalam sasthavu ezhunnellippu in the early morning and followed by the ezhunnellippu of other six temples. One of the major event in Thrissur pooram is “Madathil varavu”- is a panchavadhyam melam, participating more than 200 artists, consists of Thimila, Madhalam, Trumpet, Cymbal and Edakka (Different types of instruments). At 2’ O clock, inside the vadakkumnathan temple starts the famous Ilanjithara melam – a type of melam consists of drum, trumpets, pipe and cymbal

.

Thrissur pooram commonly called the pooram of all poorams. It is one of the mammoth pooram festival in kerala.it is a 36 hours continous pooram attaracting a huge mass of people from different places including international tourists.

Thrissur Pooram Festival is one of the most splendid and colorful temple festivals of Kerala. Introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state, Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the Malyalam month of Medom, which usually falls in April or May.

The Thrissur Pooram features cultural potpourri and artistic performances of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi groups who vie with each other for the best performance. The extraordinary, astounding processions from Krishna Temple and Devi Temple are some other highlights of the festival.

 On the day before the last day of the festival, the groups enter the Vadakumnatha Temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate to parade face to face with each other. Caparisoned elephants and the exchange of umbrellas look dazzlingly beautiful and mesmerizing.

Air

The nearest international airport is at Nedumbassery, Ernakulam located 60km north from Thrissur.

Rail

Thrissur is an important railhead of the southern railway and linked to most major towns inside and outside Kerala. The railway station is about 1km south-west of the town centre and just 350 meters from the temple premises. Trains to Ernakulam, 74km south, take about 1¹/₂ -2 hours; trains to Kozhikode, 118km north, take about 3hours. 

Road

There are frequent buses from Thrissur along NH47 to different destinations. The KSRTC bus stand is at the south west of the town center. There are buses to Kochi (2 hrs), Thiruvananthapuram (8 hrs), Kozhikode (3 ¹/₂ hrs), Kottayam, Palakkad (1 ¹/₂ hrs), Chennai (12hrs)etc. The large, private bus stand Sakthan Tampuran is south of the city center, the smaller, private Priyadarshini bus stand is north of the city. Private buses have frequent services to places close by like Guruvayur and small towns like Mallapuram and Shornur near by.