Temples of Thrissur

The temple tourism package is a tailored package designed for Indian and Indian origin guests with an interest in the history, traditions and architecture of the magnificent temples in central Kerala. Neelambari is ideally placed to explore some of the ancient and magnificent temples in and around Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala. More importantly, Neelambari offers the ideal vantage point as a serene and traditional setting that will make the exploration of these magnificent temples a wholesome experience.

The Temples of Thrissur package has guided visits to the temples at their center. However the package offers much more than that. The visits to the temple will be complemented with

  1. An introduction to the history of Thrissur with special emphasis on its temples and traditions
  2. Visit to important monuments in Thrissur that are closely intertwined with its traditions and temples
  3. Cultural performances of one or more temple arts that an integral part of the magnificent temples that you would be visiting
  4. Ayurveda massages to complement your explorations
  5. Homam / Puja / Astrologer visit / Yoga (optional)
  • Guruvayur (with Punnathur Kotta)
  • Arattupuzha, Urakam, Peruvanam
  • Vadakkumnathan, Paramekkavu, Thiruvambady
  • Koodalmanikyam and Kodungallur
  • Triprayar and Peringottukara
  • Day 1 - Introduction to the package, boating and visit to Arattupuzha Temple
  • Day 2 morning - Thiruvambady, Paramekkavu, Vadakkumnathan
  • Day 2 afternoon - Ayurveda Massage
  • Day 2 evening - Peruvanam, Urakam temples
  • Day 2 evening - Sopana Sangeetham performance
  • Day 3 morning - Visit to Triprayar, Guruvayur, Punnathur Kotta
  • Day 3 evening - Visit Koodalmanikyam and Kodungallur temples
  • Day 4 morning - Check out (optional - visit Ayurveda Museum, Shakthan palace)

Package Price:

  • INR 49,500/- Single occupancy
  • INR 59,500/- Double occupancy
Package inclusions

Full board stay in Neelambari (single or double occupancy) Guiding sessions before each temple visit. Accompanied guides for 3 or more guests At least one cultural performance connected to temple arts with briefing and introduction Transport by AC sedan to all temples and points of interest

Arattupuzha Shastha temple

Arattupuzha Shastha temple is quaint with the aura of divinity and rural charm. Our village takes its name and its identity from this temple and the iconic festival that is held every year. The presiding deity in the temple is Shastha and it is believed that he is an incarnation of sage Vasishta. The temple is walking distance from Neelambari across the river. So we will visit this temple by boat and by foot. Vehicle transportation can be arranged if you prefer it.

The Vadakkumnathan temple

The Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur is an iconic monument around which this magnificent city has evolved and exists even today. The presiding deity is Siva and He fittings lends his name to the city. The temple is about half an hour (12 kms) from Neelambari. Time and opportunity permitting, we will combine this with a short visit to Brahmaswom Madom, the ancient school of vedic studies with a legacy dating back to the great ancient philosopher Adi Shankara. As this is a school, we would need to take prior permission from them, so this visit is not guaranteed even as we will make all efforts to make it possible.

Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda is one of the ancient temples in Kerala with historical artefacts dating back as early as the eighth century CE though it is believed to be significantly older than this date. The presiding deity is Bharatha, prince of Ayodhya and younger brother of Lord Rama. This Vaishnavite temple is very interesting not just for its religious significance, but also for its magnificent architecture and rich history. The temple is about 8 kms from Neelambari and is a short pleasant drive. From Koodalmanikyam we will also visit the iconic Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple, inextricably linked to the ancient Sangam age saga Chilappathikaram.

Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple

Peruvanam Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest Siva temples in Kerala. The temple was once one of the richest and most powerful religious institutions in Kerala. Tides of history were however not favourable to this magnificent temple and its riches and power waned. The temple stands today in the small town of Cherpu in the suburbs of Thrissur, as a magnificent reminder of a golden era gone by. Along with Peruvanam Mahadeva temple, we will also visit Urakam Devi temple, an ancient and magnificent Lakshmi temple. Both Peruvanam and Urakam temples are within a short distance from Neelambari (less than 5 kms) and are easily accessible.

Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple

Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple is perhaps the most famous and visited place of worship in Kerala. The ancient temple rose to prominence during the medieval period when the Zamorins of Calicut patronised it during their reign in central and North Kerala. Visit to Guruvayur temple will be accompanied by a quick tour of the elaborate temple complex. We will also visit Punnathur Kotta, which is an elephant sanctuary administered by the Guruvaur Temple. Guuvayur temple is about 38 kms (an hour's drive) from Neelambari. En route is the magnificent Triprayar Sree Rama temple, another important Vaishnavite edifice in central Kerala that we will visit.

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple

Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple is one of the ancient and most important Goddess temples (kavu) in Kerala. The lore and legend of the temple has been very significant in the history and culture of Kerala from the ancient times to the present day. Kodungallur (once known as Muziris) was the seat of power for the Cheras, the magnificent kingdom from which present day Kerala takes its name. A visit to the temple can be combined with a quick visit to the Thirvanchikulam Mahadeva temple which was the tutelary deity of the Cheras and was once considered the most important temple in Kerala.

On the day of your check out, if your travel plan allows it, we can make a quick visit to the beautiful Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady temples in Thrissur. These magnificent temples are within Thrissur city limits itself and are famous for the central role they play in the iconic Thrissur Pooram Festival. It is also possible to add these temples to your itinerary when you visit Vadakkumnathan temple, depending on how early you are willing to set out from Neelambari.

While guided exploration to these magnificent temples would be the central theme of the program, we will make it richer and more interesting by incorporating other elements into it. We will arrange Ayurveda massages in the beautiful spa of Neelambari to enrich your holiday experience. We will arrange authentic performances of temple arts during your stay with us to give you insights into the beautiful traditions of Kerala. Depending on your preferences, we can also arrange additional activities and visits in the area, such as to the Ayurveda Museum, historical monuments or for shopping. The famous Athirapally waterfalls is an hours drive from Neelambari and can be another interesting addition to your list of places to visit.

Take it slower (or faster) - Depending on your inclination, you can take a longer or shorter version of the program. The shorter version would mean you stay with us only for two nights. We will trim some of the temples and experiences accordingly. In the longer version, we can make this a four nights, five days program with a more leisurely schedule and additional activities incorporated. Needless to say, the price will vary depending on the duration of the program. Please check with us during registration for more details.

Terms and conditions

Price - INR 49,500/- Single occupancy
                INR 59,500/- Double occupancy
Early bird discount of 15% will be available registrations done 45 days prior to program

Inclusions - Full board stay from Saturday (Day 1) to Sunday (Day 9), inclusive of lunch on both days Pick up and drop off to Kochi International Airport Personalized consultations at the beginning and end of the retreat (day 01 and 09) Two sessions of yoga on each day of the retreat (days 02 to 08, inclusive) One Ayurveda therapy on each day of the retreat (days 02 to 08, inclusive) Experiences as outlined in the earlier part of the program

Payment Terms - 50% of the fees to be paid at the time of registration Balance to be paid at the time of checking in

Cancellation policy - INR 10000/- if cancelled 30 days or more before. Full advance otherwise

Note - If the cancellation is done due to exceptional circumstances beyond human control, we might offer a special consideration on the cancellation fees and would allow the same to be credited to a future edition of the program. This would however be at the sole discretion of retreat organizers.

Testimonials

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Sreeni and Meera made our stay at Neelambari feel more like visiting close relatives than staying at a resort. They made every effort to make us feel welcomed, comfortable and happy. Sreeni was very kind to take us on multiple occasions to the local music and dance festival with him aswell as organising day trips around the area to keep us entertained and excited. Meera spoilt us rotten with a desgistation of delicious local dishes for every meal! We were there for 7 days and not one meal was a repeat from the other and much of the produce was grown on the property or region. She even gave us a cooking lesson so hopefully we can recreate some of the meals at home. The resort itself is a work of art, literally! It feels like it has been part of the landscape for centuries. That being said the accommodation was luxurious and has all the comforts and percs you would expect from a 5 star resort. We had booked in for daily yoga and Ayurveda treatment, our Yogi and and Dr were really great and our daily routine left us invigorated and relaxed. I would stay at Neelambari again in a heartbeat.

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