Thrissur, historically known as Trichur or Thrissivaperur, is a city located in the state of Kerala, India. It serves as the headquarters of the Thrissur district and is classified by the Government of India as a Tier-2 city. Geographically, it is situated 284 kilometres north-west of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
The city is characterized by its urban layout centered around Thekkinkadu Maidanam, a 65-acre hillock that houses the Vadakkumnathan temple. As the third largest urban agglomeration in Kerala and the 21st largest in India, Thrissur has a significant historical legacy as the former capital of the Kingdom of Cochin. It served as an important point of contact for various civilizations, including the Assyrians, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Romans, Portuguese, Dutch, and English.