Vishwanath Swamy Temple
Sri Vishalakshi Sametha Sri Vishwanatha Swamy Temple, popularly known as Kalpathy Temple is a 1000 plus year old temple located in the Kalpathy village of Palakkad District. It is locally known as Kundukovil. The temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and his consort Visalakshi (another name for Parvati), it dates back to early fifteenth century. The Temple is surrounded by the four Tamil Brahmin agraharams or traditional villages: New Kalpathy, Old Kalpathy, Chathapuram and Govindarajapuram.
Legend has it that a Brahmin widow named Lakshmiammal went to Banaras and brought Lingam and installed it in the present site. The Brahmin family gave all their wealth to Ittikombi Achchan, the King of Palakkad, and requested to build a temple for Viswanatha Swamy. The King also donated land for the upkeep and maintenance of the temple. The land set apart for this temple came to be made revenue-free by the King and this was allowed to be continued as revenue free by the subsequent rulers, Tipu Sultan and later by the British Government.
The location of the temple and steps leading to the river brings the mind of a visitor to the Banaras Temples on the bank of the Ganges. Hence this temple is called Half Banaras. On the right side while entering the temple, there are two banyan trees. The Serpent Gods [Nagaprathishta] are consecrated beneath the first banyan tree, which is also the "Sthala Vriksham". Pooja is performed for this tree and Naga Prathishta (Naga Gods), treating it as "Vishnu Amshom".
The flag mast (Kodimaram) is erected in front of the temple. The stone slab describing the land given to the temple etc. is installed behind the flag mast. Close to the stone slab is the Bhadralingam and in front of it the Gnana Nandikeswarar, facing Sri Viswanathaswamy.
This is the only Lord Siva Temple in Kerala with Golden Hall- Kanaka Sabha for Lord Nataraja. This temple is the site of the annual Kalpathi Ratholsavam which is one of the most famous temple festivals of Kerala. The festival is dominated by three magnificent chariots, bedecked with flowers and flags, each sanctified by the presence of the Lord.
Location
Kalpathy
Main Deity
Lord Siva & Goddess Parvathy
Other Deities
Ganapathy, Nataraja, Sivakama Sundari, Pradoshmurthi, Nava Grahas (Nine Planets), Lord Karthikeya (Murugan/Subrmaniayan), Chandikeshwar, Lord Kala Bhairava & Naga Devatas
Festivals
The Annual Temple Festival is held in the month of October-November.
Main Offerings
Rudhrabisheka, Mrutyanjaya Japa, Kukum Archana.
How To Reach
By Air: Calicut International Airport is the nearest airport situated at 111KM from the temple.
By Road: Palakkad KSRTC Bus Stand is 4KM from the temple.
By Rail: Ottapalam Railway Station is 36.2KM from the temple.