Shopping at Natural Nirvana

Thrissur (Trichur)

Pop: 275,000 Area Code: 0487

Situated 74km north of Ernakulam, Thrissur was once the capital of Cochin State. There are some interesting temples in the towns in the area.
The Pooram Festival in April-May is one of the biggest events in India, with a thirty-elephant procession and fireworks. There is also an elephant festival in January. You can receive information about this festival at any Kerala

Tourist Office.
Thrissur is the closest main city to the Guruvayur Temple. It is possible to stay overnight in a hotel here and make a day trip to Guruvayur, about an hour away.

In August-September there is the Onam Festival to welcome Maharaja Bali back from exile. There are spectacular elephant processions and fireworks during this festival. On the second and most important day of the festival, Thiruonam, there are exceptional festivities.

Information
The point of orientation is the Round, a road subdivided into North, South, East, and West. It goes around the Maidan (park) surrounding the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The railway station is 1km southwest of Round South. The KSRTC long-distance bus stand and many of the hotels are in this area, near the railway station.

There is a KTDC Tourist Office on Palace Rd, opposite the Town Hall, and there is another branch at the KTDC Yatri Niwas (27383), Stadium Rd.

The State Bank of India, opposite the Para­mek­kavu Temple, Round East, changes dollars and sterling, but not travelers cheques. The Bank of Travancore, next to the Paramekkavu Temple, changes only American Express travelers cheques.

The GPO is off TB Road, in the southern part of town, near the Casino Hotel.

Current Books, MG Rd, has a decent selection of books.

Vadakkunnathanan Temple
This temple is in the park, right in the center of the city. It is one of the largest temples in Kerala and has excellent carved woodwork. On the walls there are excellent murals of the Mahabharata and of Lord Vishnu reclining on Ananta.

It has three main shrines. One is dedicated to Vadakkunnathan (Lord Siva) and another to Sankara Narayana (Vishnu). South of these two shrines is a shrine dedicated to Lord Rama. Vadakkunnathan (Ten-Kailasanath) is a Maha-linga that is covered with offerings of hundreds-of-years-old ghee (clarified butter). The linga cannot be seen because the traditional abhisheka (bathing) with cow ghee over centuries has formed a 3m (10 ft) mound around the linga. This covering even makes it difficult for the priest to walk around the inner sanctum. The shrine dedicated to Sankara Narayana has beautiful paintings of the Mahabharata. There is also a Deity of Krishna in the temple and a Ganesh deity between the two northern altars.

The famous kuttambalam, or theater hall, is on the left of the entrance. Non-Hindus are not permitted in the temple except during the Pooram festival, when the restrictions are lifted. Open 4 to 10:30 am and 4 to 8:30 pm.

Pooram Festival
The major festival of the year is the xe "Pooram Festival" Pooram Festival held in April-May. This festival is celebrated in the Thekkinkadu Maidan, where the Vadakkunnathan Temple is located. It is celebrated by thousands of enthusiastic people. During this festival, deities from nine surrounding temples are brought to the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Several other temples in town also celebrate this festival, but it is particularly observed by the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Temples. The main festivities take place from about noon to 5 pm and after 9 pm.

On the last day of the festival, a procession is held with thirty elaborately decorated elephants arriving at the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The festival contingents from two temples have a competition to decide who has the best-decorated elephants and who can put on the best show of outstanding drumming. At the end, there is a large fireworks display.

Temples in the Area
The Thiruvambadi Temple is a Krishna temple in the middle of town.

There is an important temple dedicated to Lord Rama, the Tiruvilamala Temple, 30km from Thrissur at Triprayar. It has excellent sculptures and woodcarvings. The Kutalmanikyam Temple, dedicated to Rama’s brother Bharata, is located at Irinjalakuda, 21km from Thrissur.

Other Places
The Archaeological Museum, Museum Rd, has a small but good collection of stone carvings, Gandharan pieces, temple models, and copies of the Mattancherry Murals (daily except Mon 10 am to 5 pm).

There is a Zoo (daily except Mon).
The Syrian Christian Lourdes Cathedral and Puttanpalli Church are large, impressive churches.

Where to Stay—Lower
Many of the hotels are booked months in advance for the Pooram festival.
The cheaper places are close to the bus station and railway station.
Chandy’s Tourist Home (421-167), Station Rd, has rooms with common bath for Rs 100 and Rs 125/250 with bath.
Jaya Lodge (423-258) on Kurrupam Rd has rooms for Rs 70/120.
Pathan’s Lodging (435-620, 425-621; fax 423-374), Chembottil Lane, off Round South, is a budget place in the center of town with a vegetarian restaurant. Rooms are Rs 150/250 and Rs 300 with TV.
Ramanilayam Guest House (332-300), junction of Museum and Palace Roads, is a good place with rooms for Rs 225. It is a good value and is often full.

Where to Stay—Middle
Alukkas Tourist Home (24067; fax 24073), Railway Station Rd, has clean rooms for Rs 150/300 and Rs 500 for an A/C room.
KTDC Yatri Niwas (332-333), Stadium Road, in a secluded area, has clean rooms for Rs 200/250 and Rs 400/450 with A/C.
Hotel Luciya Palace (424-731), Marar Rd, has recently renovated rooms for Rs 400/500 and 550/600 with A/C. It is a good place.
Manapuram Hotel (425-891), Kurup-pam, a few minutes from the railway and KSRTC bus stations, is a new well-managed place with good, modern rooms for Rs 450. It has a vegetarian restaurant.
Hotel Elite (pronounced Ee-light) International (421033; fax 399-057), 22 Chembottil Lane, off Round South, is centrally located and has rooms for Rs 350/400 and Rs 650 with A/C. Some rooms overlook the park where the Vadakkunnathan Temple is located.
The best hotel in town is the Casino Hotel (424-699; fax 339-037), TB Rd, about a five minute auto-rickshaw ride from the railway station and bus station. There are rooms here for Rs 400/500 and Rs 650/800 with A/C. It has a bookshop.

Where to Eat
Hotel Bharath, next to the Hotel Elite, on Chembottil Lane, off Round South,`is a very good, clean, vegetarian South Indian place. Recommended. Has very good butter nans, kofta malai and veg fried rice and is very reasonably priced. 
The Manapuram Hotel, near the KSRTC bus stand, has a vegetarian restaurant.
In the Pathan Hotel, junction of Round South and Chembottil Lane, there is a good A/C vegetarian restaurant. Above it is the Ming Palace, a Chinese restaurant.
There are several Indian Coffee House restaurants in Thrissur. There is one near the railway station and one on Round South.

Travel
Train There are about seven trains daily to Thiruvananthapuram (8 hr). There are also direct trains to Kochi/Ernakulam (2½ hr, 5 daily, 75km south), Kozhikode (120km north), Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai (12 hr, 2 daily), Calcutta, Trichy, and Varanasi. The daily Chennai Exp #6042 (6.40 pm) takes 11½ hours to reach Chennai.

Bus There are three bus stands—the KSRTC long-distance bus stand by the railway station, the North (Priya Darshini) bus stand, north of the center of town, and Sakthan Thampuran (local) bus stand, which is two km south of the center of town. KSRTC has frequent buses to major towns in Kerala. There are express buses to Thiruvananthapuram (every half-hour, Rs 85). There are also direct buses to Chennai (13 hr), Bangalore (10 hr), Coimbatore, Madurai and Palani.

Taking a bus is the best way to get to and from Mysore (8 hr). There is a morning bus from Mysore (8 hr) that goes via Guruvayur. Frequent buses to Irinjalakuda depart from the Shakthan Thampuran bus stand, Pattalam Rd, 2km from Round South.

About five buses go each hour to Guruvayur (1 hr, 29km) that depart from near the railway station and several other places in the city. This is a much better way to go than taking a train.

If you know of a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at:

Vegetarian Fast Food Options

World Vegetarian Restaurants Guide

Amazing Colon Cleaning Program

Our own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop

Please Help Support This Site and buy our own USA Vegetarian Restaurants Book

Please check out our Natural Nirvana Store, which we started to help pay for the maintenance of this Website. Natural Nirvana is dedicated to selling vegetarian, spiritual and alternative products. We sell only animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing, gifts, health foods, books and beauty products.

!! DVD Kurma Great Vegetarian Dsihes Cooking Videos Set for just $49. Individually each video costs $14.95.for a savings of over $100

24 Devotional DVD Set for just $99 Individually each video cost $14.95 for a savings of over $200

Fantastic Natural Herbs from the Amazons
(Best source of natural herbs in the world)

Infomation on Partnering with John Easterling &Amazon Herb formulas
Make a steady Income distruibuting natural herb products

Amazon Herbs Articles

Good News from the Amazon An interview with John Easterling

Interview with Sherrill Sellman

Journey to Porveneer
by Kosa Ely

How the Amazon Rainforest
Can Improve Our Relationships
By “Amazon John” Easterling

Returning to our Roots The Evolution of Environmental Consciousness
by Kosa Ely

CamuC Serum
Nature’s Ultimate Recipe for Glowing, Youthful Looking Skin

VEGAN BAGS
Hemp Bags
Vegetarian & Animal Rights Message Bag
Hemp Backpacks
Indian Quilted & Embroidered Bags
Ecolution Bags
Splaff Bags

CLOTHES
Vegetarian T-Shirts
Animal Rights T-Shirts
Vedic Gods T-Shirts
Hemp Gloves
Vegan Message Hats
Animal Rights Beanies
Hemp Hats
Vegetarian Message Hats
Indian Men Clothing
Indian Women Clothing
Scarves
Indian design Stoles
Indian Sarongs
Sacred Threads Tops
S. T. Dresses
S. T. Pants
Sacred Threads Children Clothing

Bedding & Pillows (beautiful)
Indian Bedspreads
Indian Design Quilts
Indian Design Pillows

FOOD
Raw Foods
Vegan Foods

AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Ayurvedic Medicines
Neem Products
Ayurvedic Books
Herbal Vedic
NeemAura
AyurvedicSupplements
Ayurvedic Incense
Organic South Neem
Ayurvedic Soaps
Ayurveda Toothpaste
Ayurveda Massage Oil

VEGAN HEALTH
Vegan Vitamins
Vegan Herbal Remedies
Massage Oils
Sport Supplements
Vegan Protein
First Aid Products
Cold Medicines
Olbas
Well-In-Hand
Skin & Blemish
Herbal Salves & Balms

VEGAN BODY CARE
Vegan Soaps
Vegan Shampoos
Vegan Hair Spays
Vegan Toothpaste
Tongue Cleaners
Neti Pots
Vegan Perfumes
Vegan Sun Care
Lip Balm
Contact Len Cleaner
Skin Treatments
Men's Products
Dental Floss
Natural Mouthwashes
Vegan Hair Removal System

INCENSE & OILS
Incenses
Essential Oil
Vegan Candles

VEGAN BELTS & WALLETS
Vegan Wallets
Hemp Belts
Vegan Belts
Hemp Guitar Straps

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN BOOKS
Vegan Books
Vegetarian Books
Vegan Cookbooks
Vegetarian Cookbooks
Restaurant Cookbooks
Raw Food Book

VEG COSMETIC
Eyeshadows & Liners
Nail Polish
Blush
Lip Stick
Mascara
Powders
Nail Polish

VEDIC & SPIRITUAL
Mandala Publishers
OM Jewelry
Krishna Photos
Radha & Krishna Dolls

JEWELRY
Anklets
OM Jewelry
Nose Rings & Studs
Toe Rings
Astrological Gems
Earrings
Pendants
Silver Tulasi Beads
Neckbeads
Necklaces
Silver Jewelry
Gold Jewelry

BUTTONS STICKER
Animal Rights Buttons
Vegan Patch
Jam Bands Stickers
Jam Band Stickers (20 stickers for $5)

SPIRITUAL BOOKS
All Books
Holy Places
Vedic Scriptures
Mandala Publishing
Art Books
Kurma Cook Books
Bhagavat Gita
Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Children
Srimad Bhagvatam
Spiritual Biography
Vedic Coloring Books

SPIRITUAL MUCIC
Bhajans
S. Prabhupada Bhajans
Kirtana
New Age
Musical Instruments
Spiritual Lessons
Audio Vedic Books

VEGETARIAN VIDEO
Vegetarian Cooking
Vegetarian

SPIRTUAL VIDEO
Devotional Movies
Interactive CDs
Vedic Puppet Shows
Vedic Art & Culture
Indian Music Lessons
Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada

Spiritual Photos & Art
Krishna Posters
Krishna Pictures
Vedic Gods Photos
Vedic Gods Posters

OTHER PRODUCTS
Putumayo World Music
Pet Products
Outdoor Neem
Air Garcia T-shirt

Bob Marley Reggae
Hats
Shirts
Key Chains
License Plates
Scarves
Books