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Kalpathy
Kalpathy Viswanadha swamy temple is the oldest Siva temple in Malabar.
It was built in 1425 A.D. by H. Kombi Achan,the then Raja of Palakkad.
Kalpathy is linked to Kasi because the main deity is Siva and the temple
is on
the banks of the Neela Nadi just as Kasi is on the banks of the Ganges.
The other deities consecreted in the temple are Sri Visalakash Sametha
Viswanadhaswamy, Vinayaka, Valli Devayani Sametha Subrahmanyaswamy,
Gangadhara, Dakshinayana Murthy, Simhanasundari, Nataraja, Surya Bhavara,
Kala Bhairavan,Chandikeswaran, Nandeeswaran and Pradesh Handi.
The rituals in the temples were coducted earlier by Kerala Brahmins,
the Nambuthiris. But now, Tamil Brahimins are in charge. The annual
'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts
for seven days. The centre of attraction of the festival is Kalpathy
Sri Viswanadha swamytemple. The festival is celebrated in the month
of November.
On the seventh day (28th day of Alpasi), the deity from the temple is
taken out and installed in the chariot. There are three chariots in
this temple; one for the main deity Shri Viswanadha swamy and Goddess
Parvathy, the second for Visweswara and the third for Lord Subrahmanya.
On the last three days, beautifully decorated temple chariots are ceremoniously
drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees whose soul stirring
chants rent the air. The festival is dominated by three magnificent
chariots, bedecked with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence
of the Lord.Teeming crowds of people and millions of hands try to reach
out to be one of the privileged to have the honour of pulling the chariots,
as they proceed in stately grandeur.
How to get there: just three km away from Palakkad town
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, 55 kms.away. To the south is Cochin
International Airport, Nedumbassery 160kms.away
Nearest railway station: Palakkad
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