The very first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the name ‘Thrissur’ would be the world famous ‘Thrissur Pooram’. This is a grand festival celebrated every year in Thrissur with the participation of deities from various temples in Thrissur.
The deities participating in the festival arrive in Thrissur city decorated grandly and seated on elephants. The festival is celebrated grandly to the beats of the Kerala drum called ‘Chenda’ and the sound of high decibel fireworks.
Being a shortened form of the name ‘Thrissivaperoor’, this city and district marks the center of the state of Kerala. The name Thrissivaperoor is based on Lord Shiva who resides here as Vadakkunnathan. Home to a huge number of temples, Thrissur is always celebrating one or the other festival apart from the Thrissur Pooram.
Not to forget the famous Vadakkunnathan temple in the heart of Thrissur city and many churches whose festivals too add color to the city. Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica, India’s largest Catholic Church is located in Thrissur. Cheraman Juma Masjid, India’s first mosque was built here around 629 CE. So much to Thrissur’s cultural accolades!
The world-famous Guruvayur temple lies in Thrissur district too. The Guruvayur temple attracts devotees from all over Kerala, India and even international cities regularly.
You will find the list of temples whether big/small unending if you try compiling a list. Perhaps, you will find one every few metres. A minimum of one festival happens here every day. Rather, you can always find a festival in Thrissur 365 days a year.
The Kerala Sahitya Academy, Kerala Lalithakala Academy for Fine Arts, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam, etc. are some of Keralas’s finest cultural centers located in Thrissur.
No wonder why Thrissur is dubbed the cultural capital of Kerala. It could be even called as the Spiritual Capital of Kerala going by the facts you’ve read uptil now.
In the midst of the huge number of temples and their festivals in Thrissur, the Dakshin Puri project aims to add to the glory of Thrissur by introducing the glories and culture of Lord Jagannath to Thrissurians. Though Lord Jagannath resides in Thrissur currently at a makeshift temple and gives darshan to a small group of devotees, Dakshin Puri will introduce every Thrissurian to Him. His presence in Thrissur will add to the inclusive and harmonious culture of Thrissur and Kerala at large.
Dakshin Puri will add steam to the annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath being conducted in Thrissur city. More and more people will get the chance to see Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Devi on the ratha and get liberated.
Dakshin Puri will add to the cultural glories of Thrissur and strengthen the cultural position of Thrissur on the map of India or Bharat bhumi. It desires to be instrumental in broadcasting the timeless glories of the Vedic culture for leading a happy, healthy and peaceful life.
We have always been grateful to fellow Thrissurians for accommodating Lord Jagannath and His siblings. We hope and solicit greater support for enhancing the glory of Thrissur through Dakshin Puri.