Kalpathy Temple

The Vishwanatha Swamy shrine is the oldest Shiva temple situated 3 kms from Palakkad. The Kalpathy Vishwanatha Swamy temple in Malabar was built around 1425 A.D. by Kombi Achan, the raja of Palakkad. Kalpathy Car Festival is based on Vedic Tamil Brahmin Culture. Legend has it that a Brahmin widow named Lakshmiammal went to Banaras and brought Lingam and installed in the present site on the Southern bank of river Neela Bhagirathi. The location of the temple and steps leading to the river brings mind of a visitor the Banaras Temples on the bank of Ganges. Hence this temple is called "Kasiyil Pakuthi Kalpathy", which means half Banaras. The annual 'Ratholsavam' or Chariot Festival at Sree Viswanantha Swamy temple lasts for seven days. 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. Three magnificent chariots dominate the procession, decorated with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence of the lord. Crowds of people and millions of hands try to reach out to get the honor of pulling the chariots, as they proceed in stately grandeur. Thousands of devotees haul the huge, intricately carved temple chariots through the streets. The weeklong annual Chariot Festival begins in the month of November, every year.

Air: Situated 55 kms away from Coimbatore. To the south is Cochin International Airport 160 kms away.

Rail: Palakkad is the Nearest Railway Station

Road: It is well connected to all cities of Kerala and the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.