Kalpathy Viswanatha Swamy Temple

Kalpathy Viswanatha Swamy Temple, built in 1425 CE, is the spiritual heart of the Kalpathy Heritage Village (also called the Agraharam) — an ancient Tamil Brahmin settlement near Palakkad. It is unique in Kerala for its distinctly Dravidian granite architecture (with a tall rajagopuram), in sharp contrast to the wooden and laterite structures found elsewhere in the state.

The temple is most famous for the Kalpathy Ratholsavam — an 8-day chariot festival where elaborately decorated wooden chariots carrying the deities are pulled through the streets of the heritage village. The entire agraharam street, with its 400-year-old houses, is a living heritage site and has been designated a Heritage Zone. The festival attracts visitors from across India.