Kalpathi Ratholsavam, also known as Kalpathi Chariot Festival, is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated in the town of Kalpathi in Palakkad district, Kerala, India. This annual festival is one of the most significant and renowned events in the region and draws thousands of devotees and tourists. The festival is at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple where the deities are Lord Siva (Lord Viswanatha) and his consort Visalakshi, another name for Parvati.
The main highlight of the festival is the grand procession of beautifully decorated temple chariots (rathams) carrying the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati. These chariots are pulled through the streets of Kalpathi by devotees. During this time, 6 chariots (rathas) from 4 temples of Kalpathy come together and circumvent streets of the villages in a grand procession. The 4+2 as follows: main chariot carrying Lord Shiva and additional 2 small chariots for his sons, Ganapathy and Murugan; chariots from the other 3 villages namely New Kalpathy with Lord Ganapathy, Old Kalpathy with Lord Krishna and Chathapuram with Lord Ganapathy. This is known as ‘devarathasamgamam’.
Vedic recitals and cultural programmes are held in the temple during the first four days of the festival. This is believed to be over 700 years old.
The ancient temple nestles by the banks of the Kalpathy river which is also known as the Nila river. The temple dates back to 1425. The similarities to the famous Varanasi Kashi Vishwanath temple on the banks of the Ganges in North India gives this temple the moniker: “kasiyil pakuthi kalpathy”—Kalpathy is half Kashi. Kalpathi, as the village or agraharam in which the temple is situated is known, is an early Tamil Brahmin settlement.
The Kalpathi Ratholsavam is not just a religious event; it also fosters a sense of community and togetherness. People from different walks of life come together to celebrate and partake in the festivities.
Kalpathi Ratholsavam is a vibrant and culturally rich festival that showcases the religious and cultural heritage of Kerala. It provides an opportunity for devotees to express their devotion and also offers visitors a glimpse into the traditional customs and rituals of the region. The festival usually takes place in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August) each year. However, the exact dates may vary from year to year based on the lunar calendar.