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District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

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Chapter 2 HISTORY AND REGIONAL LINKAGES

Thrissur is a central coastal district of Kerala situated approximately 295 Km north of Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. The District played a very important role in fostering trade relations between Kerala and outside world in the ancient and medieval periods. This is an introductory chapter which include an introduction about Thrissur district, its historical background and physical setting of the district with respect to the nearby important settlements are described.

2.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Thrissur with its rich history, cultural heritage and archaeological wealth, is called the cultural capital of Kerala. From ancient times, this district has played a significant role in the political history of South India. Many rulers and dynasties beginning with the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Tipu Sultan of Mysore and Europeans including the Dutch and the British moulded the destiny of this region. Raja Rama Varma, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran was the architect of the present Thrissur Town. The term Thrissur is the abbreviated anglicized form of the malayalam word THRISSIVAPERUR which means the town of the SACRED SIVA. The town is built on an elevated ground, at the apex of which is the famous VADAKKUNNATHAN Temple. A place of great antiquity, Thrissur was also known as VRISHABHADRIPURAM and TEN KAILASAM in ancient days. Thrissur is also named as Trichur during

Sakthan Palace, Thrissur

the colonial period. The district played a very important role in fostering trade relations between Kerala and outside world in the ancient and medieval periods. The sea port of Muziris of the Sangam age is the modern Kodungallur of Thrissur district. The political agents of British Government had their temporary head quarters in Thrissur. The Trichur was connected by roads to hinterland settlements. The Trichur-Coimbatore road was inaugurated in 1844. A narrow gauge railway line from Shornur to Ernakulam through Thrissur was commissioned in 1902. This was later converted into broad-gauge in 1944.The existence of the Trichur Public Library dates back to the seventies of the 19th century. The Museum, Zoo and Botanical Gardens were started in 1885. The Central Jail of Cochin Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

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HISTORY AND REGIONAL LINKAGE

District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

yam), Poonthanam (Njanappana), Unnayi Warrier (Nalacharitham), Kunjikuttan Thampuran known as Kerala Vyasa, Vallathol Narayana Menon, C.Achutha Menon, Panditaraja K. Rama Pisharoti are some prominent personalities belonging to this district. Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthi, renowned the world over for its Kathakali training Centre, The Kerala Nritha Kalalayam, The Kerala Sahithya Academy, The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy , Kerala Lalithakala Academy (fostering development of Kerala Dance, Drama and Music) are lo-

Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthi

State was established in 1914. The present Trichur district is a part of erstwhile Cochin state. Cochin state had been divided into Nadus, these Nadus were subsequently divided into Kovilakathum-vathukkals or Taluks. The taluks were grouped into two divisions- Vadakkemugham and Thekkemugham. The Cochin area of present Trichur comes formed part of the Vadakkemugham. With effect from the 1st July 1949 a new district named Thrissur was formed with 6 taluks of the erstwhile Cochin State viz. Thalappilly, Chittoor, Thrissur, Mukundapuram, Canannore and Cochin-Kanayannur and taluks of erstwhile Travancore areas, namely, Kunnathunad and Parur. Melpathoor Narayana Bhattathiri (Narayanee-

The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy

cated here. School of Drama, established in 1977 is also in this district. The Trichur Town hall contains the Archaeological Museum and Picture Gallery, where mural paintings from all parts of the state are copied and exhibited. Thrissur city have a large number of historic temples such as Thiruvambady temple, Vadakkumnathan temple and Paramekkavu temple and the temples participates in the colorful Thrissur pooram. Thrissur pooram is a spectacular religious festival in South India and known as Mother of all Poorams which brings thousands of people from around the world. In Thrissur city there are two well known churches, the Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral and the Our Lady of Dolours, popularly known as Puthenpally (the New Church). It is the biggest church

The Kerala Sahithya Academy

Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

HISTORY AND REGIONAL LINKAGE

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Vadakkunnathan Temple

Guruvayoor Temple

in South Asia. The Cheraman Juma Masjid, believed to be the oldest Mosque in India is situated in Thrissur District. The famous Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur lies just 25 km from Thrissur town. And there are many historic temples like Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikkyam Bharatha Temple, Thiruvilwamala Villuadrinatha Temple etc.

2.2 REGIONAL LINKAGES

Thrissur district is in the central region of Kerala state lying between 10010 and 100 46 north latitude and 750 57 and 760 54 east longitude. Thrissur district is bounded on the north by Malappuram and Palakkad Districts, south by Idukki and Ernakulam districts, east by Palakkad district and Coimbatore district of TamilNadu and west by Lakshadweep sea. Thrissur is placed approximately 295 Km north of the state head quarters of Kerala, 71 kms north to Kochi, the industrial hub of Kerala and 120 kms south to Kozhikode, the commercial capital of

Millions of money is traded in the city of Thrissur under the name Gold and that is why Thrissur is also Known as the Gold capital of India. All major jewelleries in Kerala have branches in Thrissur and 70% of manufacturing of plain gold and rolled gold happens in this city. Thrissur city is also an important center of garments made of Silk in Kerala. This city holds the record for the highest number finanPuthenpally (New Church) Cheraman Juma cial institution as they exceed 1000, Malabar region. (figure 2.1) Thrissur town lies 55 km far both government and private. Three predominant scheduled banks in Kerala, the South Indian Bank, the from Cochin International air-port and 80 kilometer far Catholic Syrian Bank and Dhanalakshmi bank have their from Kozhikodu air-port. Thrissur railway station is an headquarters at Thrissur. Diamond polishing and auto- important railway station that connects South India to mobile tyre moldings are the remaining industries that rest of India through Trivandrum-Chennai and Trivandrum-Mangalapuram routes. KSRTC operates bus play an important role in Thrissur economy. Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

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HISTORY AND REGIONAL LINKAGE

District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

Thiruvambadi Temple

Paramekkavu Temple

services to Thrissur from all important cities in Kerala and also interstate buses are available to reach Thrissur from Madurai, Chennai, Coimbathoor etc.

2.3 CONNECTIVITY
The road network is the most important mode of transportation in the district connecting almost all important nodes. Thrissur district is well connected with almost all the major towns and cities of the state as well as nation. The district has comparatively good connectivity due to the two National Highways (NH-47, NH17) having a total length of about 124.56km, twenty State Highways (374.03km), district roads (1249.06kms) and the railway route network. Broadly, the transport network structure in the district is a network of roads and railway routes. The existing National Highways in the district are: 1. Kanyakumari Salem NH-47 start from Karukutty (Pongam) to Vaniyampara of length 60km. 2. NH-17 from Moothakunnam to Palapetty of length 64.562km and Kodungallur Bye-Pass of length 3.75 Km 295 k.m.
Fig 2.1 Regional conectivity with other district

120 k.m.

71 k.m.

NH-47 act as a main spine of traffic movement for the district. It facilitates commutation of passengers and goods from within the state and outside the

Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

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state. This may be due to the fact that NH 47 is the only national highway passing through the district in 1980s. NH-17 acts as a coastal corridor connecting coastal belt of Kerala. It also facilitates transportation of perishable coastal goods. Railways play an important role in the transport sector of the district in terms of inter-regional passenger and goods movement. Railways provide the cheaper and fast inter-city and intra-district transportation facility for commuters. Thrissur is an important railhead of southern railways. The network pattern of the railways in the district is primarily in the form of two corridors:Double lane broad gauge running from Ernakulam to Shornur (ie. South-North), parallel to NH-47 and East-West Broad gauge (Single Line) connecting Poonkunnam to world famous temple town Guruvayoor. Transporation net-

work of Thrissur district is shown in Fig 2.2 Before the construction of roads in the latter half of 19 century, inland traffic in the district was carried on almost entirely over backwaters and rivers. The taluk of Kodungallur and portions of the taluks of Mukundapuram and Trichur are so admirably served by backwaters and rivers that they not only afforded easy and cheap means of conveying the produce of the interior to the ports of Cochin, Kodungallur and Chettuvai but also enabled the old Cochin state to enjoy the lions share of the trade with the Portuguese and the Dutch on the Malabar coast for nearly 3 centuries. Indeed canals are important means of communication in early Cochin that successive rulers devoted much attention to their improvement and maintenance.
th

The main canals of the district at that time are 1. Ponnani canal in Chavakkad Taluk

Fig 2.2 Transportation Network - Thrissur District

Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

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HISTORY AND REGIONAL LINKAGE District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

Fig 2.3 Water Bodies - Thrissur District

District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

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Thrissur swaraj round

2. Cannoli canal lying between Chavakkad and Mukundapuram taluk 3. Shanmughom canal in Mukundapuram taluk 4. Puthenthodu in Trichur taluk These canals form the main arteries of water communication. Now Canoli canal is only existing water way. Water bodies in Thrissur district is shown in Fig 2.3.

2.4 INFERENCE
It can be concluded that Thrissur District with its rich history, heritage, cultural, religious and archaeo-

logical wealth act as cultural capital of the state. The district is also well known for festivals (Thrissur Pooram), number of cultural and art institutions (like Kalamandalam, Kerala Sahithya Accadamy, etc.), gold and diamond industry and number of historic temples, Churches & Mosques. Thrissur District is connected to other parts of the state and the country through two modes of transport, rail and roads. The waterway, which was once the major mode of transport of the district, is in an abandoned state now. The nearest airport Nedumbassery (Kochin International Airport) is located at a distance of 55kms, and the nearest port Kochi at a distance of 80 kms.

Department of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

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