Palakkad, 20 September (HS): Preparations have begun in the heritage agraharams of Kalpathy for the world-famous chariot festival, scheduled to be held from November 7 to 17 with elaborate religious ceremonies and cultural traditions.

Representatives and trustees of the four principal temples participating in the ceremonial chariot congregation held their first joint coordination meeting. The temples are Sri Visalakshi Sametha Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Old Kalpathy Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, New Kalpathy Manthakkara Sri Maha Ganapathy Temple and Chathapuram Sri Prasanna Maha Ganapathy Temple.

The rituals will begin with Vastu Bali and Shanthi Homam at 7 pm on November 7. Festival flags will be hoisted at all four temples the following morning. The celebrations will include recitations of the four Vedas by eminent scholars, special prayers, homams, abhishekams and processions of the festival deities through the chariot streets.

The sacred fifth-day ceremony will be held at midnight on November 12. The procession and congregation of six colourfully decorated chariots will take place from November 14 to 16. The renowned Devaratha Sangamam, the festival's principal attraction, will be held on the evening of November 16. The celebrations will conclude with the Arattu ceremony and lowering of the festival flags on November 17.

The Kalpathy festival, believed to have begun six centuries ago, follows the traditions of the Mayuranathar Temple festival at Mayavaram in Tamil Nadu. Temple representatives will visit the shrine in Mayiladuthurai on October 24 and 25 for special prayers.

A joint festival proclamation containing the history of the temples and agraharams will be released at Viswanatha Swamy Temple on October 8.

The organisers will seek government support for crowd-friendly facilities, heritage and river conservation, road repairs, parking, security, traffic management, sanitation and uninterrupted water and electricity supply. They will submit a joint memorandum to the Palakkad district administration and municipality seeking coordinated action.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman