About Thrissur Circle

In pursuance of recommendations of the Expert group on Archaeology (Ram Niwas Committee, 1989), para 67 Chapter XIII Thrissur Circle was formed in 1997. Thrissur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India was established in April 1997, separated from Chennai Circle with the Monuments/Sites in Kerala and adjoining districts of Tamilnadu viz. Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Nilgiri.

There are totally 28 monuments and 9 sites protected under the purview of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules 1959 are under the administrative control of the Circle. Most of this monuments and sites were under the protection of erstwhile states of Cochin and Travancore.

The monuments protected include Temples, Jaina monuments, a church, Forts and a Palace. Most of the Temples in Kerala are wooden edifies with granite or laterite plinth. The inner walls of the Mattancherry palace and outer walls of temples are generally covered with valuable mural paintings carried out in traditional Kerala style, while the sites are megalithic in nature.