Most people wouldn’t expect giant chariots sweeping through their city streets. Well, to this day, one can view exotic, colourful chariots during the annual Ratholsavam (chariot festival) at Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple at Kalpathi in Palakkad. The temple, dedicated to Lord Viswanatha or Shiva and built over 700 years ago, usually celebrates the festival during November. This event has been celebrated for centuries and devotees crowd the streets in large numbers. As the chariots pass, people can be seen dancing and celebrating throughout the route. Recitations of Vedic rituals and cultural programmes are held. The final three days brings three gigantic chariots to the roads and revelry reaches its crescendo. It is among the most extraordinary sights that God’s Own Country has to offer.

Location