Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2014 Kerala Tradition & Destinations 2014 | Page 264

Anakkayam: (20 km from Chalakudy) This place offers an enchanting
expereince to the visitors. On Sholayar Peringalkuthu road from Chalakudy
this place is famous with a lake of cool and placid waters. The place got
its name because some elephants had been drawn in this lake.
Koodalmanikyam temple: (21 km from Thrissur and 10 km from Irijalakuda
Railway Station) This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Bharatha, the
brother of Rama. It is perhaps the only temple in India with Bharatha as
the presiding deity. The temple is a telling example for architectural
marvel.The Koothambalam here attracts huge crowd. The colourful elevenday annual festival with a pageant of thirteen caparisoned elephants is
held in April - May. The festival in this temple marks the end of the Hindu
temple festival season in Kerala. Many traditional artforms are performed
during festival.
Chalakkudy: It is a place of historical importance as it was here that Tipu
Sultan established the base as his army was besieging the “Travancore
Lines”. The town enjoys reputation of being one of the healthiest spots in
the district. It is a place worthy of visit and sightseeing. A few miles away
from Chalakkudy loacates Irrigation Project and 26 miles east of the town is
the Peringalkuthu Hydro-electric project.
Arattupuzha: This village is known for the annual Pooram festival at the
temple in April-May, every year. The uniqueness of this festival is the
ceremonial processions carrying the idols of deities from 41 neighbouring
villages, which are brought to the temple at night in procession on
caparisoned elephants. This colourful festival attracts a large number of
people from different parts of the state.
Kodungalloor: Situated at the confluence of the Periyar river system with the
Arabian Sea, Kodungalloor is a place of great historical interest. It was a
great emporium of trade even before the dawn of Christian era. The jews,
the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs came here with their merchandise. From here ivory, sandalwood, peacock’s feathers and cinnamon were
exported to foreign countries. The Roman colonists are said to have founded
here a temple in honour of Augustus. The Jews, Christians and
Muhammedans all claim it as the place of their first settlement of India.
Kodungalloor the farther south end of Thrissur district is specially noted for
being the place where St. Thomas, the Apostle is said to have landed first,
in AD 52. Cheraman Palli, one of the ancient Mosques is situated here
proclaiming the centuries old Muslim tradition here. Kottappuram, a tiny
town nearby, was a trading center. From Azhikkode in the west of Kodungallur
to Nattika and Chavakkadu are fishing centers on the Arabian coast.
Kodungallur is noted for the Durga temple here. Bharani festival and
Kavutheendal are the main attraction.Other places of interest nearby include Cheramanparambu, the ancient Thiruvanchikulam temple and the
Portuguese fort.
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THRISSUR|TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS