TRICHUR

TRICHUR

INTRODUCTION

The small Kerala town of Trichur is dominated by the magnificent Vaddakunathan temple. Trichur, the cultural capital of Kerala, has a rich historical legacy. The bewitching beauty of northern Kerala with the characteristic flow of petite villages adorning the riversides begins at Trichur. However, what makes Trichur unique is its association with the Pooram festival-the flamboyant celebration with pageantry of a hundred drums, dozens of caparisoned elephants and brilliant fireworks.

HISTORY

According to legend, Trichur Pooram was the zestful venture of two goddesses. It is said that a mighty goddess called Paramekkavu Devi resided under a tree in what now is the compound of the Vaddakunathan temple. Lord Shiva's devotees decided to enlarge his small shrine into a grand temple. Therefore, they moved the goddess, who was thought to be his daughter, to a temple of her own. Her elder sister, Thiruvambady Devi, resides in another temple. These sister goddesses are the main participants of the Trichur Pooram festival.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Ages ago, the Vaddakunathan temple was surrounded by a fine teak forest called Thekkinkadu. In the recent times, a splendid architectural wonder in the form of the idiosyncratic South Indian temple gopurams have come up. This temple is made up of low, tiled roofs and profuse woodwork. There is the theatre hall, called the 'kuthambalam' within which is performed the theatrical art form 'chakiar koothu'. The Vadakkumnathan temple is famous for its murals. These depict scenes from the Mahabharata and also some beautiful paintings and carvings.