Kalpathi Ratholsavam

The legendary Kalpathi Ratholsavam, or Chariot Festival, is scheduled to take place from November 14 to November 16, 2026, at the 700-year-old Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple in Kalpathi, Palakkad. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, this historic festival traces its roots back to the arrival of Brahmin families from Thanjavur, weaving Vedic hymns, Carnatic music, and temple arts into the cultural fabric of Kerala. The multi-day event draws over 200,000 global participants, filling the traditional agraharam streets with Vedic chants, traditional drum ensembles, and open-air classical music performances. The ultimate highlight unfolds during the final days as giant, flower-adorned temple chariots are hauled through the narrow lanes by a sea of chanting devotees, culminating in the grand 'Devarathasamgamam' where all five massive chariots converge before the main temple gates in a magnificent display of religious fervor.