August 24, 2003

Thrithala

Location : About 75 km from Palakkad on the banks of the River Bharathappuzha near Thrissur, Palakkad district, north Kerala.?Thrithala is noted for its monuments and historic ruins and hence, has great archaeological importance. The ruins of a large mud fort with a deep moat hewn from laterite and the Siva temple are notable cultural monuments.

The Kattil Madom Temple, a domed structure made of granite slabs, on the Pattambi-Guruvayoor road is a Buddhist monument believed to date back to the 9th or 10th century. The temple probably marks the transition from the Chola to the Pandya style of architecture.

The Paakkanaar memorial, a tribute to the Pariah saint, stands near the Thrithala-Koottanad road. This is also the native place of renowned writer and social worker V. T. Bhattathiripad.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Pattambi, about 19 km from Thrithala.

Nearest airport: Coimbatore in neighbouring State of Tamilnadu, about 55 km from Palakkad town