Best Photo Spots in Thrissur
Thrissur gives you two kinds of photos. In the city, it is temple towers, tiled roofs and the wide green ground of Thekkinkadu, which fills with elephants and parasols once a year at Thrissur Pooram. Outside the city, it is forest, river and the white spray of Athirappilly Falls.
Many of the best subjects here are working temples, where cameras are not allowed inside. Plan for exteriors, gateways, festivals and landscapes, and these are some of the best photo spots in and around Thrissur.
High crowdEntry Nominal
Athirappilly Falls
- Best timeMorning, soon after the gates open, for softer light and fewer people; the falls look fullest from August to October, just after the monsoon.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
High crowdEntry Free
Guruvayur Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the street outside is calm and the light is soft; evening, when the oil lamps on the lamp tower are lit.
- ColorsWhiteSaffronGold
Low crowdEntry Ticketed (day-visit)
Kerala Kalamandalam
- Best timeMid-morning on a working day, when classes are running and soft light falls into the open practice halls.
- ColorsCreamMaroonGold
High crowdEntry Free
Thekkinkadu Maidan (Thrissur Pooram)
- Best timeEvening on Pooram day for the kudamattam parasols in warm light; on other days, early morning, when the ground is quiet and the gopurams catch soft light.
- ColorsWhiteGoldCrimson
High crowdEntry Free
Vadakkunnathan Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the ground is quiet and soft light falls on the gopurams; late afternoon for warm light on the walls and roofs.
- ColorsWhiteSaffronGold
Why Thrissur Is Great for Photography
Thrissur's centre is unusual: a large open ground on a low hill, with a walled temple in the middle and the city built in a circle around it. That gives you space to step back and photograph the gopurams (gateway towers) with trees and sky around them, which is rare in a busy Indian city.
The festivals are the other draw. Thrissur Pooram brings decorated elephants, gold-topped parasols and huge drum ensembles, and the Pulikali tiger dance during Onam fills Swaraj Round with painted dancers. Outside the city, Athirappilly Falls and the Chalakudy river give you green, wet landscapes, especially after the monsoon.
Photography Tips for Thrissur
- Plan for the outside of temples: Photography is not allowed inside Vadakkunnathan Temple, and phones and cameras must be left at the counters before entering Guruvayur Temple.
- Go early: Thekkinkadu ground is quiet and cool at sunrise, before the heat and the traffic on the Round build up.
- Protect your gear from rain and spray: Carry a dry bag or a plastic cover in the monsoon and at Athirappilly Falls.
- Ask before photographing people: This matters at temples, at Kalamandalam classes and with Pulikali dancers between performances.
- Pick your spot early at festivals: At Pooram and Pulikali, the crowds build hours before the main events and moving through them later is slow.
- Stay back from elephants: Use a zoom rather than walking close to temple elephants, even when they look calm.
Best Time for Photography in Thrissur
October to February usually gives the clearest light and the most comfortable days for walking around the city. August to October is when Athirappilly Falls is at its fullest, and Onam, usually in August or September, brings Pulikali to the streets. April or May is the month of Thrissur Pooram, the most photographed event in the city, but also the hottest time of the year.
Photography rules at temples are strict and are enforced, so check them at the gate and follow what the staff tell you.
Questions
Thrissur — FAQ
What are the best photo spots in Thrissur?
The best photo spots are Thekkinkadu ground and the Vadakkunnathan Temple gopurams, the east entrance of Guruvayur Temple, the campus of Kerala Kalamandalam and Athirappilly Falls. During festivals, Swaraj Round is the place to be.
Can I take photos inside temples in Thrissur?
No. Photography is not allowed inside Vadakkunnathan Temple, and phones and cameras are not allowed inside Guruvayur Temple at all. Take your photos from the ground and streets outside the gates.
Where is the best place to photograph Thrissur Pooram?
Most photographers aim for the south side of Thekkinkadu ground, in front of the south gopuram, where the kudamattam parasol display happens in the evening. Arrive several hours early, carry water and expect to stand in a very dense crowd.
When can I photograph Pulikali in Thrissur?
Pulikali is held on the fourth day of Onam, usually in August or September. Troupes of dancers painted as tigers dance around Swaraj Round, mostly in the afternoon. Check the date for the year before you plan.
Is it safe to take photos at Athirappilly Falls?
Yes, from the marked viewpoints and paths. Do not climb onto wet rocks near the edge or step into the river for a photo, as the rocks are slippery and the current is strong, especially after heavy rain.