Kalpathy festival wraps up with chariot convergence

The historic Kalpathy chariot festival wrapped up on Sunday night, with thousands of onlookers watching the chariots carrying deities converge in a spectacular finale.

The chariots of four temples – the Sree Visalakshi Sameta Viswanatha Swamy temple at Kalpathy, the Mandakkarai Sree Maha Ganapathy temple at New Kalpathy, the Sree Lakshmi Narayana Perumal temple at Old Kalpathy, and the Sree Prasanna Maha Ganapathy temple at Chathapuram – met at Therumutty in the evening after winding through the streets of Kalpathy.

Devotees travelled from near and far to witness the grand procession. They swarmed the chariots, reaching for the ropes to receive blessings as the event marked the festival’s tenth and final day.

In the climax known as Rathasangamam, the deities of the four temples were united in a sacred moment symbolising unity and devotion. The festival strengthened cultural ties, bringing together families and friends in celebration.

Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to control the crowds and direct traffic movements. Vehicles were barred from travelling between Olavakkode and Kalmandapam to avoid congestion in the evening.

The Kalpathy festival, a car festival inspired by the historic Mayiladuthurai chariot celebration in Tamil Nadu, is an annual tribute to the Tamil Brahmin community’s dedication to Vedic traditions. Beyond its religious meaning, the event brings families together, turning the village into a lively showcase of heritage and harmony.

Although curtain will fall on the festival by Monday, the streets of Kalpathy will remain abuzz for the next several days. Vendors will occupy the streets and people from different parts of Palakkad and neighbouring places will flock to the heritage village.