Kalpathi Ratholsavam

Kalpathi Ratholsavam, also called as Kalpathi Chariot Festival is an annual Hindu Festival celebrated mainly in the Kalpathi village in the state of Kerala. The festival is celebrated at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple dedicated towards Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi.

The Chariot Festival is celebrated every year in the month of November. It is a ten day event. Over the years the festival celebrations have gained immense popularity in the state of Kerala.

The celebrations at the festival includes Vedic recitals and cultural programs for the first four days and through the last three days Chariots for the Lord are decorated by devotees. Devotees from all across India gather here during the Festival.

According t the Legends the Festival is traced to be about 700 years old. The temple of Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy dates back to 1425 A.D. The temple is known to be the oldest Siva temple in Malabar. It is situated at the Southern bank of river Neela Bhagirathi.

The annual Chariot Festival is a tribute to the Indian culture and traditions that has been well preserved by the people of Kerala. The Festival is a must watch spectacle, and even the weather of the place during the time of Festival is absolutely favorable.

How to Reach?

• Nearest town: Palakkad - 3 km
• Nearest railway station: Olavakot - 1 km
• Nearest airport: Coimbatore - 55 km

Parumala Perunnal

Parumala Perunnal is an extremely popular festival of Kerala. The festival is celebrated at the Parumala St. Peter's & St. Paul's Orthodox Church, Parumala, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, which is a highly convenient place for the tourists and visitors to reach and participate in the celebrations.

The Festival of Parumala Perunnal is basically an annual feast that is arranged as a compulsion in order to commemorate the death anniversary of Bishop Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church of Kerala. During the auspicious occasion a grand feast is organized and rituals are performed.

A major attraction of the Festival remains the Grand procession that travels from one part of the town to another. It is attended by thousands of devotees. Devotees also offer prayers for seeking blessings from the deity.

Most of the festivals celebrated in Kerala are known for their splendor and grandeur. Apart from the prayers and rituals numerous stalls are arranged throughout the grounds of the church, selling articles, food, utensils and jewellary.

Kerala also known as “God’s own country” is acknowledged for its culture and traditions. During the celebrations of Perunnal Festival life and routines come to a standstill in the state as all localites engage in festive preparations. The jubilations during this time are a true eye-candy for spectators.

How to Reach?

• Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 11 km away.
• Nearest airports: Cochin International Airport, about 105 km from Thiruvall

Vaikathashtami Festival

The festival popularly known as the “Ashtami Festival” is dedicated towards worshipping Lord Shiva in the form of Shivlinga. The festival is celebrated at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kerala which is one of the oldest and extremely popular temples of Kerala both from religious and social perspectives.

The festival of Vaikathashtami or Vaikkath Asthami, celebrated in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November – December). It is majorly a Hindu Festival. Lord Shiva, the main deity in the temple appears in three forms in a day namely- morning he is Dakshinamoorti, noon he is Kiratamurti and in the evening he is Sambhashivan along with Goddess Parvati.

The temple of Vaikom Mahadeva is held in very high esteems among the Hindus. The Shivalinga established here is five feet in height, and is believed to have formed during the Treta Yuga.

Although the festival of Vaikathashtami is celebrated for a period of 12 days, but the Ashtami is the most important day. The sacred Ashtami day celebrations are held during the dark lunar fortnight of the Malayalam month Vrischikam (Sagittarius).

Colorful processions are carried out from one place to another, joined by different deities. The festival celebrations also include Dance performances and musical shows spreading throughout the night. Popular dance forms like Kathakalli are also performed here.

How to Reach?

Nearest railway stations: Ernakulam, about 36 km towards the north; Kottayam, about 40 km towards the south.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 56 km away.