Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2014 Kerala Tradition & Destinations 2014 | Page 260

Transport and Communication Air - Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (58 km), Ph: 0484 2610115. Rail - Thrissur is well connected with the major towns in and outside Kerala by an extensive rail network. Ph: 0487 2423150, 2440251. Railway enquiry - Ph: 139, 1397. Road - Thrissur is connected by road with several tourist centres and cities in India. Long distance buses and inter state buses operate from the KSRTC Bus Station, Ph: 0487 2421150. Long distance private buses operate from Sakthan Thampuran Bus Stand (1 kmfrom town) and North Bus Stand which is in the heart of the city. Local Transport - Buses, Taxis and Autorikshaws. Local private buses operate from Sakthan Thampuran Bus Stand (1 km away from the town) and North Bus Stand which is in the heart of the city. Tourist Information Offices - DTPC, Palace Road, Chembukkavu, Ph: 0487 2320800. Places Interested Shakthan Thampuran Palace: Also known as Palace Thoppu, the campus covers an area of six acres. Here you can see three savakudeerams (tombs) including that of the renowned Shakthan Thampuran,the greatest ruler of Cochin dynasty. The marvelous sculptures add beauty to this Palace. Archelogical Museum: (Town Hall Road) Open 1000 - 1700 hrs on all days except Mondays and national holidays. Kerala State Zoo: Started in 1885 and Spread over in 5.5 hectors of land Kerala State Zoo is in Thrissur town. There are Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, Art Museum and Natural History Museum in this compound. The Zoo has 315 animals in 46 species. Natural History Museum displays array of specimens of different kinds of animals. Open 0900 - 1700 hrs on all days except Mondays. Art Museum: Located in the Zoo compound, the art museum displays collections of wood-carvings,metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. The art museum is also a treasure of Kerala traditional lamps. Open 1000- 1700 hrs on all days except Mondays. Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple: The temple is built in typical Kerala architectural style and the important festival is Ekadesi in November/December. Fascinating Destinations Acquarium | Adur | Anakkayam | Arattupuzha | Archelogical Museum | Ariyannoor temple | Kandanisserry | Art Museum | Athirapally | Chalakkudy | Chavakkad | Cheraman Juma Masjid | Cheruthuruthy | Guruvayoor | Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary | Vazhachal | Divine Retreat Centres | Vilangankunnu | Kerala Museum and Zoo | Kodungalloor | Koodalmanikyam temple | Nattika Beach | Palayur | Peechi Dam | Punnathur Kotta | Saint Thomas Memorial | Shakthan Thampuran Palace | Sree Krishna Swamy Temple | St. Mary’s Forane Church | Koratty | Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple | Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple | Vadakkumnathan Temple 258 THRISSUR|TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS