KALPATHY AGRAHARAM STREETS

History of Kalpathy or Kalpathy also known as Dakshin Kasi or the 'Varanasi of the South is an early Tamil Brahmin settlement (agraharam) in the Palakkad District of Kerala state, south India .Situated on the banks of the Nila/ Kalpathy river, Kalpathy is one of the well-known gramams (villages) of Palakkad. Kalpathy actually consists of Puthiya (New) Kalpathy and Pazhaya (Old) Kalpathy. Kalpathi is very famous for Kalpathi Ratholsavam , Temple car festival held annually at the Sri Visalakshi Sametha Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple where the deity is Lord Siva (Lord Viswanatha). Kalpathy is located 3 km from Palakkad town and consists of Old Kalpathy and New Kalpathy.On the eastern side of Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple lies the New Kalpathy Village which consisted of homes built mostly of thatched roofing. It belonged perhaps to the last batch of Tamil Brahmin migrants. Harassed by frequent fire, loss of life and property, the villagers consecrated a temple dedicated to Lord Maha Ganapathy to ward off "Sivadrishti". The idol of Mahaganapathy resting under a Banyan tree near a tank lying on the eastern side of this village (Manthakkara) was installed facing Lord Shiva (in Sree Viswanatha temple). The residents of this village were well known scholars of Vedas & Shastras and purohits well versed in their profession. Most of the surrounding villages of Palakkad town used to depend on them for conducting the Vedic rituals. Any doubt on observations of rituals and interpretations of sastras used to be debated and decided here. This village is also the birth place of many professionals, musicians, scientists and men of letters.Kalpathi
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. The famous annual Kalpathy Ratholsavam (Temple car festival) takes place in November of every year here. The Viswanathaswamy temple (also known as kundu kovil as it is at a lower elevation than the rest of the village).The Manthakara Ganapathy temple and the Sree Krishna temple are the temples in Kalpathy that account for the three of the four chariots taken out in procession during the Ratholsavam. The fourth chariot is from the Ganapathy temple in the adjoining village of Chathapuram. There are also two relatively new temples in Kalpathy - the Chipraganapathy temple and the Anjaneyar (Hanuman) temple at Ramadhyana madhom in the vicinity of the therumutti junction near the Viswanathaswamy temple.
It is believed that the Manthakara Mahaganapathy temple was established by the residents of the New Kalpathy village in recent times (less than a hundred years ago) to ward off 'Sivadhristi'. The village of Old Kalpathy is larger and consists of two streets and an interlinking lane called kachatti theru. This name is derived from the fact that, in olden times, during the Ratholsavam, streetside vendors sold kachattis or stone-pots in this lane. Apart from the special pujas on festival days and the annual Ratholsavam, other attractions in Kalpathy are the various music festivals and kutcheris conducted here on a regular basis. Of note are the Tyagaraja aradhana conducted every year at the Ramadhyana madhom-INITIATED BY (late) Shri Palaghat Rama Bhagavathar, the annual tribute to Palakkad Mani Iyer, and the performances by various well-known artistes during the Ratholsavam celebrations.
The possible reasons for the migration of Tamil Brahmins to Palghat district of Kerala-The famous pandian ruler Maravarman died in 1310 AD. Ambitious Muslim invaders started subjugating one area after another in Tamil Nadu. Feeling insecure and fearing persecution, the Brahmins started migrating via Palakkad pass, Dindigul and Pollachi. Continuous drought over many years in Kaveri delta area also triggered migration of Tamil Brahmins to Kerala. Palakkad kings welcomed and settled these Brahmins in their area. Tamil Brahmins who came from Tanjore, Trichy, Vaitheeswarankoil, Needamangalam, Kandarmanickam, Mangudi, Sathyamangalam and other areas, established a number of agraharams which gradually grew to about 96 in all. The temples in these agraharams follow the aagamma sastra of worship.

New Kalpathy village was a citadel of Vedic culture and Sanathana dharma. It has produced numerous scholars of Vedas and Vedangas. They are still being remembered by villagers with reverence and devotion. Their scholarship used to be recognized by both Shringeri and Kanchi Sankaracharya Mutts. This village sent the largest contingent of delegates of Veda scholars to attend the All India Sanathana Conference held at Kasi during 1932-33.
In the recent past many new housing colonies have sprang up in and around Kalpathi. One such colony is Kailas Nagar where some of the eminent citizens of Palakkad have built their homes. Kailas Nagar is also has the distinction of running an school for special children called "Chaitanya School". Mrs. BhagyaLaxmi of Kailas Nagar has took keen interest in establishing this school and nurturing it.
Kalpathy Viswanatha Swamy temple was built in 1425 A.D and is considered to be the oldest Siva temple in Malabar.There are numerous 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 the saying " Kasiyil Pathi Kalpathy. " i.e. half of Kashi 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.