Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Kalpathy is an ancient Brahmin agraharam (village) situated in the heart of Kerala’s Palakkad district close to the Tamil Nadu border. Kalpathy Ratholsavm, The Chariot Festival, is based on vedic Tamil Brahmin culture. The main center of the festival is Kalpathi Sree Viswanatha Swami Temple. During the festival week the deity from Viswanatha Swami Temple is taken out and installed in the chariot and thousands of devotees drag the huge, intricately carved temple chariots bedecked with flowers, fruits and flags through the streets.

carved temple chariot