Thrissur

Thrissur, often called the “Cultural Capital of Kerala,” has a history built around its central hill and the ancient Vadakkunnathan Shiva Temple. The area was once part of the early Chera kingdom, which dominated much of Kerala’s trade and politics in the ancient and early medieval period. The hill where the temple stands became a sacred and strategic point, around which a settlement slowly grew.

In later centuries, Thrissur fell under the sway of various local chieftains and then the Kingdom of Cochin. The big turning point came in the late 18th century under Raja Rama Varma, known as Sakthan Thampuran, the powerful ruler of Cochin. He reshaped Thrissur as a planned town: clearing forests around the temple hill, creating the circular road (Thekkinkaadu maidan around Vadakkunnathan), inviting traders and communities, and developing the area as a commercial and cultural centre.

Under the British, Thrissur continued as an important town of the Cochin state, with mission schools, churches, printing presses and financial institutions growing alongside temples. In the 20th century it emerged as a hub for banks, education, performing arts and festivals, especially the famous Thrissur Pooram, which cemented its reputation. Today, Thrissur’s history is visible in its temple core, colonial-era institutions and vibrant cultural life.