Kalpathy Chariot Festival

Kalpathi Ratholsavam (Kalpathy Chariot Festival) is an annual Hindu Temple festival in the Kalpathi village of Palakkad district in Kerala state, south India. 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. One of the famous temples of Palakkad and said to be the Kashi (Beneras) of South. A temple situated in the typical Agraharams of Palakkad, traditional in nature and rich in culture. 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 festival is conducted over a period of 10 days, usually November 7 to 15 or 8 to 16. During this time, 4  chariots (Rathas) from 4 temples of Kalpathy come together and circumvent streets of the villages in a grand procession. Kalpathy Ratholsavam is one of the biggest car festivals blended with traditions and rituals. On the last three days, thousands of devotees gather together to draw decorated temple chariots through the streets.

Recently, the Government of Kerala has declared these Agraharams as “Heritage Village” to preserve its antiquity and culture.

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.

2017 Nov 14-16, This year Ratholsavam.

If you are a planning cultural or heritage tour to North Kerala in month of November, we would suggest you to include this festival in your program list which falls normally on 13-15 November or 14-16 November every year. Otherwise you may plan normal temple visit through out the year. You can also see Heritage Village.