Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple

The second principal temple of the Thrissur Pooram, competing with Paramekkavu Bhagavathy in the grandest elephant procession in Kerala. The Thiruvambady Sri Krishna's elephant procession and the climactic 'Kudamattam' (umbrella exchange between the two groups) is the centrepiece of Thrissur Pooram festival.

An ancient Shiva temple in Thrissur, built in classical Kerala style with distinctive copper-plated, sloping roofs. It hosts the Thrissur Pooram, one of Kerala's grandest temple festivals, famed for its procession of caparisoned elephants and elaborate fireworks display.

One of only two temples in India dedicated to Bharata — the loyal younger brother of Rama from the Ramayana. Bharat is worshipped here as 'Koodalmanikyam' (Manikyam of the confluence). The temple also has a unique tradition: the deity Bharata is worshipped facing Ayodhya (north), always looking toward his elder brother Rama.

A revered Krishna temple in Kerala, one of the most visited Vaishnava shrines in South India, where the deity is worshipped as Guruvayurappan. Known as 'Bhuloka Vaikunta' (Vaikuntha on earth), the temple's elephants — housed at the nearby Punnathur Kotta sanctuary — are famous throughout Kerala and take part in its major festivals.