Thiruvilwamala

Thiruvilwamala is a hilly village in the northern terrain of Thrissur district in Kerala. Thiruvilwamala is located 47 kilometres towards north-east of the District Headquarters Thrissur.

The village, which is more of a temple town, is located on the banks of the Bharathappuzha river, with nearest towns being Shoranur and Ottapalam. The place is famous for the Vilwadrinatha Temple, which is among the rare Sri Rama temples in Kerala. Even though people believe the deity as Lord Rama, actually it is of Lord Vishnu. Niramaala & Ekadashi are the famous festive events here.

Noted writer V. K. N. (Vadakke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair), hailed from this place.

It has also been home for writers like Manasi, P.A. Divakaran, Marshal (Colonel Kizhiapate Rajamani). Late poet P. Kunhiraman Nair had stayed here for long, having fallen in love with the scenic beauty and culture of the place. Raobahadur T.K. Nair, a former state minister, hailed from this place. The place has also given birth to prominent artists in the field of Kathakali, especially madhalam players like the late Venkichan Swamy and his pupil Appukutty Poduval. Also famous for its set of Carnatic musicians, the Sri Rama temple here hosts a relay south Indian classical concert on the auspicious day of ekadasi.

The place is also famous for the kasavu clothing made in nearby villages like Kuthampulli.

Thiruviwamala has many other temples of ancient years and than four Shiva temples. Ivor Madom, the Krishna temple, is famous for the ceremonies performed in order to ensure peace for the soul of the dead. Other temples and groves of thiruvilwamala are: Parakkottu Kavu, Cheruthrikkovil, the temples of Mariyamma in Aakkaparambu, Eravathodi, Pattiparambu, Kuthampulli, Soudeshwari Amman temple (Kuthampulli) and Poothanakkara Shiva Temple.

The Parakkottukavu Thalappoli festival falls on the last Sunday of the Malayalam month of Medam (mid-May).The firework spectacles in this pooram would match up to the fireworks of the world famous Thrissur Pooram. Orlassay is part of Thiruvillamala. Colonel S P Raman, who created history in Sciachen (highest battlefield in the world). and brother Advocate Sugashree also belong to this small town.