Sacred encounter marks pinnacle of Kalpathy car festival

Thousands of people witness the grand finale of the revered celebration of Tamil Brahmin heritage of Kalpathy

Friday evening transformed the historic village of Kalpathy into a vibrant tapestry of devotion, as thousands of people converged to witness the grand finale of the revered car festival.

The air was electric as the majestic chariots of four iconic temples, the sacred pillars of Kalpathy’s Tamil Brahmin heritage, came together in a spectacular convergence, marking the festival’s crescendo.

The devotees from far and wide flocked to Kalpathy to behold the grand procession of their favourite deities on the tenth day of the Kalpathy Rathotsavam.

This singular day marked the culmination of the festival, as the chariots of four prominent temples – Sree Visalakshi Sameta Viswanathaswamy Temple, Manthakkarai Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, Sree Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, and Chathapuram Sree Prasanna Maha Ganapathy Temple – converged, carrying their sacred deities through the village streets.

Devotees enthusiastically participated in pulling the intricately designed wooden chariots, their ropes a coveted touch for those seeking divine blessings. The air was electric as people eagerly jostled to catch a glimpse or touch the chariots carrying the deities. For those unable to reach the chariots, a simple touch of the ropes was a cherished consolation.

As the chariots wound their way through the streets of Kalpathy, they finally converged at Therumutty, in front of the main Siva temple, Sree Visalakshi Sameta Viswanathaswamy Temple.

The moment marked the pinnacle of the festival’s spiritual fervor, as the deities came together in a sacred encounter known as Rathasangamam, just after sunset. This extraordinary spectacle, steeped in tradition and devotion, drew throngs of people who sought the divine blessings of the gods with fervent prayers and supplications.