Cheraman Juma Masjid

Cheraman Juma Masjid

Interior

                  Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Kodungallur in the Indian state of Kerala. Probably constructed during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here. Unlike other mosques in Kerala that face westwards this mosque faces eastwards.The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style using brass oil lamps. The rosewood pulpit, from where the imam recites the Friday Jumu'ah, is covered with carvings. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Makkah.

It is believed to be built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Deenar, Cheraman Juma Masjid is considered as the oldest mosque in India and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers. Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here. Unlike other mosques in Kerala that face westwards this mosque faces eastwards. Though, generally it is considered to be the second mosque of the world after the mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Sahaba (companions) visited Kodungallur. An unknown Chera dynasty ruler had witnessed a miraculous happening — the sudden splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad — and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. 

An Old Photo

Soon after, Perumal travelled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam, and accepted the name Thajudeen. On his way back to India he died at Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala, and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.

Location: Cheraman Juma Masjid is Located 2 km from Kodungalloor town and 20 km from the Irinjalakuda Railway station.

Athirappally Waterfalls

Athirappally Waterfalls

            Athirappally Waterfalls is located at the entrance to Sholayar ranges, this waterfall is a popular picnic spot. The charm of the Athirampally and Vazhachal nature cannot be described by words, Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, these waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the 'Picturesque' - not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.

 Affording to the onlookers, one of the most bewitching sights, Athirappally Falls is about 80 feet high and located in the forest area.   Combined with the greenery, it infuses freshness into any tired soul.  The Athirapally Falls join the Chalakkudy River after plummeting a drop of 80 feet.

Athirappally Waterfalls

While the waterfalls are the highlight of this region, there are quite a few places to see in and around Athirapally. The Vazhachal waterfalls are located very close to the Athirapally falls and are a part of the Chalakudy river stream. Vazhachal is popular for its flora and herbal plantations (maintained by the forest department) apart from the scintillating waterfalls set in the backdrop of a lush green forest. This is an ideal picnic spot too.

Two water-theme parks - the Dream World and Silver Storm are located to the west of Athirapally. The Thumpurmuzhi gardens are located amidst the two water theme parks. The water from the river is redirected to deep tanks at Thumpurmuzhi, creating a waterfall like impact. The gardens are well maintained and have scenic surroundings. The lesser-known Charpa falls are situated to the east of Athirapally. The water plunges on to the road in the monsoon, so get ready to get drenched if you are visiting it in the rainy season.

If you take a ride through the deep forest and high ranges you will come across the Malakapara tea gardens. Around 50 kilometers from Athirapally, this tea garden has picturesque surroundings and sometimes one can spot wildlife here.

Athirappally Waterfalls

Vachumaram is a calm and beautiful lake surrounded by hills. If you are lucky, you can spot deer and wild elephants here. A few kilometers from Vachumaram (about 20 kilometers from Chalakudy) is Anakkayam (which means elephant pit). Tourists will find a serene lake, bubbling streams, natural rock formations and flora here.

A tranquil and much needed escape from the troubles and stress of life. Let the soothing sounds take you to some of nature’s most relaxing places - the beautiful waterfalls of Athirampally and Vazhachal (Prounced as vaazhachaal).

Location: Located at a distance of 78 km from Kochi.

Guruvayur Temple

East gate/Kizhakke nada

                             Guruvayur is a well known krishna temple in India.It is one of the five famous Krishna\Vishnu temples in India. The others are Jagannath Puri in Orissa, Venkatachalapati in Andhra Pradesh, Nathdwara in Rajasthan and Dwaraka in Gujarat. Of course there are many other famous ones of Vishnu as well as of Krishna but these are considered to be the most popular. Even though the idol in Guruvayoor is that of Vishnu it is still known as a Krishna temple since the boy Krishna is always said to be running around incognito in the temple precincts. Guruvayoor is known as “Bhuloka Vaikunta” or the abode of Vishnu on earth.

           Lord Krishna in Guruvayoor is popularly called Sri Guruvayoorappan. Appan means lord or father so the title means the Lord of Guruvayoor. 

The small idol is made of the stone known as black antimony and is a magnetic stone said to have special medicinal properties. Every morning the Lord is anointed in oil. He is then sprinkled with a special cleansing powder made of herbs known as “vaka”. This powder is light brown in colour and gives an added hue to the idol.  Crowds go to the temple at 3 A.M in order to see this charming sight. Then water from the temple, consecrated with mantras is poured over the idol for his ritual bath. This holy water is then eagerly drunk by the devotees since it is said to contain a little of the miraculous properties of the stone of which the idol is made.

Devotees at West Gate

Location: The National highway is passing through Kunnamkulam which is just 8 kms away from Guruvayur. Around 80 km from Kochi.

Vadakkunnathan Temple

                     Vadakkunnathan Temple, is the well known temple in Kerala. It is also known as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam, is an ancient Shiva temple located at the heart of Thrissur town. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture and has formidable gopurams on all four sides and also a Koothambalam. Mural paintings that depict various episodes from the Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. According to popular lore, the temple was built by Parasurama. The sprawling Thekkinkadu maidan, encircling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by the Union Government under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

             Vadakkunnathan Temple is a 1,000 years old temple, built by Lord Parashurama, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The statue of Shiva, which is not visible, is covered under amount of ghee, formed by the daily abhishekam (ablution) with ghee over the years. A devotee looking into the sanctum can now see only a 16-foot-high (4.9 m) mount of ghee embellished with thirteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods at top. According to traditional belief, this represents the snow-clad Mount Kailash, the abode of Parvathy and Parameswara. This is the only temple without seeing Shivalinga.

Important festival of this temple is “Thissur Pooram”. Thrissur Pooram is called 'the pooram of all poorams' (festival).

Thrissur Pooram

It is the biggest of all poorams held in Kerala state. The Thrissur pooram, is celebrated every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may) as per the malayalam calendar. While all poorams have a huge influence on surrounding neighborhoods and towns, few other festivals require their active involvement. Thrissur town plays host, for 36 hours from the wee hours of the pooram day, to one of the most largest collection of people and elephants. The richly decorated elephant, as seen during the Thrissur pooram, is now globally recognized, and its association with Kerala. On the pooram day, fifty (50) or more elephants pass through the very center of Thrissur town, the Vadakkunnathan temple. The main features of the pooram (festival) are these decorated elephants with their nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), beautifuliy crafted kolam, decorative bells and ornaments etc. Add to this is the panchavadyam, the rhythmic beating of the drum, and what would be a cacophony otherwise is turned into an organized but spontaneous symphony. The fireworks display in the early hours of the next day, rival shows held anywhere in the world, without even using many of the modern and newer pyrotec

Location: About 58 km from Ernakulam. Short distance from Thrissur.

Details:  The temple opens daily at 03:00 am and closes at 10:30 am. The temple reopens at 04:00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm after 'Trippuka', the last rite for the day. Non Hindus are not allowed entry into the temple.

Peechi Dam

Peechi Dam

                      Peechi is well known for Peechi Dam. This dam project started as an irrigation project, offers boating facilities at the reservoir. Peechi is a fascinating picnic spot. Peechi is a village located 22 km from the city from Trichur in Kerala, India, and is renowned for his mother and wildlife sanctuary. Forestry Research Institute of Kerala (KFRI) located in this town. Peechi dam was built primarily for drinking water needs of the population Thrissurtown. In addition, it also serves as an irrigation dam, leading to rice fields in and around Thrissur. Although no visitors to most of the time of year, the monsoon usually take place on the tourist map mainly for the stunning views offered by the open shutters of the tank is completely filled.

Peechi dam

Peechi River

Boating is permitted in the reservoir and on lucky days one can see wild tuskers on the forested banks, part of which forms a wildlife sanctuary .There are frequent private buses from Thrissur to the dam is a noticing fact. Built across the Manali River, the dam is a vast catchment area of nearly 3200 acres with extensive botanical gardens and cascading fountains offer numerous inviting avenues for tourists. One can see tuskers on the bank of this reservoir Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958 has got 125Sq.Km area. The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary has dense, moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests is located in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. With more than 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants, the sanctuary is a veritable treasure trove of rare flora and fauna. 

The place is congenial for boating and trekking. The natural habitat at Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary is frequented by Tigers, Leopards and Wild Dogs, besides the Sambar and the Spotted and Barking deer.

Location: Located at a distance of 15km from Thrissur.

Thrissur Zoo and Art Museum

Art Museum

Thrissur Zoo  is 13.5 acres (5.5 hectare) zoo, which opened in 1885 in the heart of the city of Thrissur in Kerala, India. This is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and is home to a variety of animals, reptiles and birds. The compound zoo houses a museum of natural history and art that emphasize the socio-cultural heritage of the region. The museum displays the art collections of woodcarvings, metal sculptures and antique jewelry.

Tiger

Museum and Zoo are locked into the same fresh grass, flowers area of ​​13.5 hectares which is home to a truth of endangered species and a famous snake park.The Art Museum housed in a separate building is a feast for art lovers. She was beautiful and rare exhibition of sculpture, religious idols, celebrities Kathakali, Kerala's traditional jewels and votive objects, a collection of traditional lamps really delicious.

Owl

Parrot Chicks

Animal lovers, Thrissur zoo is located, 2 km from the city center within the complex of different species such as lion-tailed macaque, Sloth bear, birds and deer. Snake Park is a collection of reptilian King Cobra, Kraits, snakes and rat snakes.

Location: only 2 km from the city of Thrissur.

Details: Visiting time of Museum: 10.00 am - 05.00 pm. Visiting time of Zoo: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.  Monday will be a holiday.