Kaladi is an important pilgrimage center since it was the birthplace of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, one of India's foremost philosopher-saints. He preached the monistic or advaita philosophy. He played a major role in saving the Hindu religion from the ritualistic and superstitious state to which it had degenerated.Sri Shankaracharya's life has been marked by several miraculous exploits. He is said to have diverted the course of the River Periyar, which was 1½ km away from his house so that his aged mother could have her daily bath in the river without having to walk the distance. Even today, one can see an uncharacteristic turn in the river towards the Sringeri Math believed to be the site of Shankara's house. The shrine is situated on the right bank of the river and is a large partly open structure. There are two major shrines: one is dedicated to Sri Shankar acharya and the other to Goddess Saradamba, guardian deity of Sringeri.
The name Thrissur is derived from Tiru-Shiva-Perur meaning 'the town with the name of Lord Shiva'. The reigning deity, Lord Shiva, resides in the Vadakkunath Kshetram Temple, on a hillock right in the center of the city.
Punnathur Kotta, 4 km away, is an ancient fort that houses 40 elephants.
Chavakkad, 3 km away, has a pleasant beach and mausoleum of Haridross Kuttee, lieutenant of Haider Ali of Mysore.
Palayur, a kilometer away from Chavakkad, is the site of an ancient church believed to have been found by St. Thomas, the apostle.
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