Thrissur district

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type = District
native_name = Thrissur
skyline = Pooram Elephant 4.jpg
skyline_caption = An elephant carrying "Thidambu" during the Thrissur Pooram festival
hq = Thrissur
latd = 10.52 |longd = 76.21
state_name = Kerala
abbreviation = IN-KL-8-XXXX
leader_title_1 = Collector
leader_name_1 = M. Beena
area_total = 3032
area_magnitude = 9
population_total= 2975440
population_year = 2001
population_density = 981
website = thrissur.nic.in

Thrissur ( Trichur / Trissur) (Malayalam: തൃശ്ശൂര്‍) is a district situated in the central part of Kerala state, India. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949. The headquarters of the district has the same name, Thrissur City. It is an important cultural center. The district is famous for its numerous ancient Temples, Churches, and Mosques and "Pooram" festivals including the world famous Thrissur Pooram and is known as the "Cultural Capital of Kerala". Thrissur Pooram is the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala. Some famous temples include Guruvayur Sreekrishna Temple, Thriprayar Sreerama Temple, Kodungaloor Bhagavathi Temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikkyam Bharatha Temple, Thiruviluamala Villuadrinatha Temple and Thrissur Vadakkumnatha Temple.

The name Thrissur is derived from 'Thiru-Shiva-Perur' (Malayalam: തൃശ്ശിവേപരൂര്‍) , which literally translates to "The city with the name of the Lord Siva". Thrissur was also known as "Vrishabhadripuram" and "Then Kailasam" (Kailasam of the south) in ancient days. [citation needed] Another interpretation is 'Tri-shiva-peroor' or the big land with 3 Shiva temples, which refers to the 3 places where Lord Shiva resides - namely Punkunnam Siva temple, Kottapuram Siva temple and Vadakkunnathan temple.

History

From ancient times, Thrissur District has played a significant part in the political history of south India. The early political history of the District is interlinked with that of the Cheras of the Sangam age, who ruled over vast portions of Kerala with their capital at Vanchi. The whole of the present Thrissur District was included in the early Chera Empire. The District can claim to have played a significant part in fostering the trade relations between Kerala and the outside world in the ancient and medieval period.

Kodungalloor which had the unique distinction of being the "Primum Emporium India", also belongs to the signal honour of having first given shelter to all the three communities which have contributed to the prosperity of Malabar'. These three communities are the Christians, the Jews and the Muslims.The history of Thrissur District from the 9th to the 12th centuries is the history of "Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram" and the history since 12th century is the history of the rise and growth of "Perumpadappu Swarupam".

In 1790 Raja Rama Varma (1790-1805) popularly known as Saktan Tampuran ascended the throne of Cochin. With the accession of this ruler the English or modern period in the history of Cochin and of the District began. Saktan Tampuran was mainly responsible for the destruction of the power of the feudal Nair chieftains and increase of royal power. Another potent force in the public life of Trichur and its suburbs was the Namboodithiri community and Menons of Royal ancestry. A large part of the Trichur Taluk was for long under the domination of the Yogiatiripppads, the ecclesiastical heads of the Vadakkunnathan and Perumanam Devaswoms.

The wave of nationalism and political consciousness which swept through the country since the early decades of this century has its repercussions in the District as well. Thrissur District can claim the honour of having been in the forefront of the country-wide movement for temple entry and abolition of untouchability. The famous "Guruvayur Satyagraha" is a memorable episode in the history of the national movement.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusGR|India, Thrissur District had a population of 2,975,440 [ [http://www.tsr.kerala.gov.in/gen.htm The Official Website of Thrissur District ] ] . Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thrissur has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 85%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Hindus ,Christians and Muslims constitute the bulk of the population of this district.

The Nairs and the Ezhavas are numerically the most dominant Hindu communities of Thrissur. Ambalavasis and Tamil brahmins also form a not so insignificant percentage of the Hindu population.. The Scheduled Castes, around 12 % of the population of the district, also form a significant section among the Hindus of the district.

The Catholics - both Syro Malabar and Latin, Jacobites and Chaldeans are the main sections of the Christian Community in the district. Catholics constitute 91% of the Christian population of the district spreading in 5 dioceses namely Thrissur(4,60,000), Irinjalakkuda(2,52,000) and Kottappuram(75,000). Jacobites and Chaldean Syrians constitute the rest. Kunnamkulam, a small town in the northern part of the district is the important center for the Jacobites. Jacobite church (40000 followers counting both factions together) has 2 diocese in the district, namely Kunnamkulam for Orthodox faction and Thrissur for Jacobite faction. Chaldean Syrians spread around Thrissur city with 25000 followers. A church known as Thozhiyoor church has its own headquarters at Guruvayur with 7000 followers.

Muslims live predominantly in coastal belt, from north Punnayoorkkulam to South Azhikode, of the district. Sunnis are the major section in Muslim community.

Demographic and geographic data

Source: Official Statistics 2007 [ Official website of Thrissur district http://www.tsr.kerala.gov.in/barefacts.htm]

The main legislative constituency in the district is Thrissur City. Apart from the city constituency, there are 12 other constituencies from the district of Thrissur: Ollur, Guruvayoor, Chalakkudy, Kaipamangalam , Nattika, Kodungallur, Irinjalakuda, Puthukad , Manaloor, Kunnamkulam, Wadakkancheri, and Chelakkara.

There are two parliament constituencies : Thrissur and Chalakudy. Sri.C.K.Chandrappan is the Thrissur MP and Sri. Lonappan Nambadan is the Mukundapuram MP

For administrative purposes, the district of Thrissur is divided into five talukas. These five taluk centres are administrative hubs for 151 villages in Thrissur.

Media

The first newspaper which published from Thrissur was "Lokamanyan" in 1920. Then came "Deenabandhu" in 1941. Major Malayalam newspapers published in Thrissur include "Malayala Manorama", "Mathrubhumi", "Deshabhimani", "Deepika", Kerala Koumudi and Madhymam. A number of evening papers are also published from the city. Newspapers in other regional languages like Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu are also sold in large numbers.

Industries

Thrissur is famous for the power loom industry and the Textile Mills like the "Alagappa Textiles" in AlagappaNagar, "Kerala Lakshmi Mills" at Pullazhi, "Thrissur Cotton Mills" at Nattika, "Rajgopal Textiles" at Athani, "Sitaram Spinning and Weaving Mills" Thrissur, "Vanaja Textiles" at Kuriachira and "Kunnath Textiles" at Thrissur. Thrissur are engaged in the manufacture of hosiery products. The coir and the tile industry offer employment for many people in the district. The first saw mill in the state was erected at Trichur (1905). Most of the timber is brought down from the forests to Thrissur and Chalakkudy, which are the most important timber marts in the District. Canning industry has sprung up in Thrissur and "Darlco Cannings" and "Kayee Plantations Cannings"; both situated at Thrissur are important units. The "Thrissur Fruits and Vegetables Marketing Society" are establishing a canning industrial unit at Nadathara and it is going on very successfully. Besides all these the "match stick industry", pharmaceuticals, printing etc give Thrissur its fame as a bustling industrial centre. The first Worker's Indian Coffee House of the state was opened in Thrissur (1957).

Places of interest in Thrissur Rural District

*Athirapilly Water Falls (63 km from Thrissur City) This 80 feet high waterfall at the threshold of the Sholayar ranges is a popular picnic spot. Two amusement parks - DreamWorld and SilverStorm - are located nearby.
*Vazhachal Just a short drive from Athirapilly is close to dense forests and a part of the Chalakudy river.
*Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary (23 km from city) It is the largest elephant park in the world, with over 60 elephants.
*Peechi Dam (20 km from city) It is a good picnic spot
*Chavakad Beach (25 km) A sea shore for rare scenic beauty. Acknowledged as one of the best beaches along the west coast.
*Vazhani Dam (24 km from city) It is a good picnic spot
*Chimmony dam (35 km from city) It is a beautiful picnic spot with facilities for boating
*Kerala Kalamandalam (30 km) It is in Cheruthuruthy and was founded by the Poet Sri. Vallathol Narayana Menon, to encourage the study of the ancient arts of Kerala such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattom.
*Cheraman Juma Masjid - built around 612 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar. First mosque constructed in India. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca.

Important towns in Thrissur Rural District

* Irinjalakuda
* Kodungallur
* Chalakudy
* Chavakkad
* Thriprayar
* Kunnamkulam
* Guruvayoor
* Wadakanchery

External links

* [http://www.keraladays.com/Thrissur.htm Thrissur District information portal]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=k&msa=0&msid=114038809751246788218.000440d8cff499fc85a7c&ll=10.526843,76.215742&spn=0.013101,0.018003&z=16 Satellite image of Thrissur]
* [http://thrissur.nic.in Government Portal]
* [http://www.thrissur.com For travel guide, information on pilgrimage centres etc.]
* [http://www.prd.kerala.gov.inprd2/keralam/dis_tsr.htm For more informations ]
* [http://www.thrissurpolice.com/ Website of Thrissur Police]
* [http://hikerala.googlepages.com/tourism_thrissur.htm Glance at Tourist Places in Thrissur]

Notes

Photo gallery of Thrissur District