| Kalpathy Viswanatha
Swamy temple was built in 1425 A.D and is considered to be the oldest Siva
temple in South Kerala. There are number of temples in Palakkad one attached
to each of the 20 gramams in the town. The
chief and most richly endowed is in Kalpathy dedicated to Lord Shiva,
a low quadrangular temple on the banks of Kalpathy River. Legend has it
that One Lakshmy Amma , a widow of Sekhari Puram came back from Kashi
and gave the prince Itikombi Achan 1320 gold coins in 1424-25 AD and requested
him to build the temple of Siva.
Hence, saying " Kasiyil Pathi Kalpathy. " i.e. half of Kasi is Kalpathy.
Another view regarding Kalpathy being linked to Kasi is that the main
diety is Siva and the temple is on the banks of the Neela Nadhi just as
Kasi is on the banks of the Ganges. Ratholsavam (Chariot Festival) at
Sri Viswanatha Swami Temple, Kalpathy Ratholsavam is a spectacular procession
of beautifully decorated temple chariots drawn through the streets by
thousands of devotees.
Situated on the banks of the Nila / Kalpathy river, Kalpathy is one of
the well-known gramams (villages) of Palakkad. Kalpathy actually consists
of : 1. Puthiya (New) Kalpathy 2. Pazhaya (Old) Kalpathy
More details Visit : www.oldkalpathy.com
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