Kalpathi Ratholsavam
Venue: Sree Viswanatha
Swamy Temple, Kalpathi, Palakkad District.
District: Palakkad
Want
to lose yourself amid a joyous crowd and colourful spectacles? Then make sure
you are at the Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple at Kalpathi in Palakkad for the
renowned annual chariot festival; locally known as Ratholsavam.
Kalpathi
is a traditional Tamil Brahmin settlement in Kerala. The temple dedicated to
Lord Viswanatha or Shiva is believed to be 700 years old. The annual chariot
festival usually falls in the month of November. During the festival days the
entire Kalpathi will be teeming with devotees and visitors from near and far.
Vedic recitals and cultural programmes render a unique ambience for the place.
On
the last three days, the three elaborately decorated huge temple chariots take
the attention of all. Devotees would then gather to draw the chariots through
the streets of Kalpathi village. It will be just one chariot that will be
pulled on the first day, followed by two on the second and three on the last
day of the festival.
Kalpathi
Ratholsavam, also called as Kalpathi Chariot Festival is an annual Hindu
Festival celebrated mainly in the Kalpathi village in the state of Kerala. The
festival is celebrated at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy
temple dedicated towards Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi.
The
Chariot Festival is celebrated every year in the month of November. It is a ten
day event. Over the years the festival celebrations have gained immense
popularity in the state of Kerala.
The
celebrations at the festival includes Vedic recitals and cultural programs for
the first four days and through the last three days Chariots for the Lord are
decorated by devotees. Devotees from all across India gather here during the
Festival.
According
t the Legends the Festival is traced to be about 700 years old. The temple of
Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy dates back to 1425 A.D. The temple
is known to be the oldest Siva temple in Malabar. It is situated at the Southern
bank of river Neela Bhagirathi.
The
annual Chariot Festival is a tribute to the Indian culture and traditions that
has been well preserved by the people of Kerala. The Festival is a must watch
spectacle, and even the weather of the place during the time of Festival is
absolutely favorable.
How to Reach
* Nearest town: Palakkad - 3 km
* Nearest railway station: Olavakot - 1 km
* Nearest airport: Coimbatore - 55 km
