Kalpathy is in Palakkad , the border town between Kerala and Tamilnadu. Kalpathy is synonymous with the famous car festival of Kasi Viswanathar temple.This is a 600 year old temple on the banks of Kalpathy river. A woman named Lakshmi Ammal brought a bana Linga from Kasi (Varanasi ). This event is inscribed on a pillar in front of the temple. The Rajah of Palakkad allocated the place for this temple. The Sivalingam here is very small. The Amman here is known as Vishalakshi. There are sub shrines for Kalabhairavar, Dakshinamoorthy, Murugan and Ganapathy.This temple has been renovated recently.
There is also a small temple of Lakshmi Narayana Perumal near by. The idol here is of Lord Narayana in a sitting posture with Goddess Lakshmi on His lap. This temple has sub shrines of Ayyapa and Anjaneya.
Interesting facts- The Viswanathar temple is famous for the annual chariot festival which attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across the world.
The chariots are embellished with fine carvings and I have included some pictures of the same.
The temple is surrounded by agraharam(garland of houses) or row of houses which are about hundred years old and is declared as a heritage village. click here to see the beautiful pictures of the Heritage village known as Paithraga gramam which is on my other blog.
Many perform the last rites here on the banks of the river Kalpathy for the departed souls of their loved ones.
How to reach- Nearest airport is in Tamilnadu Coimbatore which is 60 Kms. away.
The nearest rail station is Palakkad where many express and mail trains stop.
Palakkad falls on NH 47 and this temple is about 5 Kms. from Palakkad town.
Accommodation- Decent hotels are available in Palakkad town itself.
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipM5X49qeKLLGy9SBkrsU4KfouwsGq7GIgrGDkuO?key=CLaKkJ7ToODJVQ
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipM5X49qeKLLGy9SBkrsU4KfouwsGq7GIgrGDkuO?key=CLaKkJ7ToODJVQ
