By Sree Visalakshi Sametha
Copyright thehindu
The organisers of the annual Kalpathy Rath Festival have requested increased support from the district administration and police, given the growing crowds flocking to Kalpathy villages for the festival.
The Kalpathy festival has seen a surge in attendance in recent years, largely driven by electronic and social media attention. This growth has raised concerns among organisers, as recent crowd-related incidents at large gatherings across the country have highlighted safety risks.
Apart from enhanced facilities, space and crowd management emerged as key focus areas during a recent preparatory meeting of the organisers held at Kalpathy last week.
The festival is being conducted every year by Sree Visalakshi Sametha Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kalpathy; Sree Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Old Kalpathy; Mandakkarai Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple, New Kalpathy; and Sree Prasanna Maha Ganapathy Temple, Chathappuram.
Festival dates
This year’s festival will take place from November 7 to 17, marking the beginning of the temple festivals of Kerala. The major functions of the festival will be on November 12, 14, 15 and 16. The festival will feature processions of the deity through the villages at various times on those days, alongside temple rituals.
Heavy crowds can be expected on those days, especially on November 16 evening when all chariots carrying the deities of the four temples converge in front of Sree Visalakshi Sametha Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kalpathy.
Last year’s Kalpathy festival had over 300 police officers and around 100 volunteers managing crowds. Festival organisers are seeking enhanced police support this year, anticipating a bigger crowd than usual.
The organisers have requested the district administration’s support in multiple areas, including crowd management, safety and security, health and hygiene, uninterrupted utilities, road maintenance and regulated vehicle parking.
The Navaratri festivities usually mark the beginning of preparations for Kalpathy’s chariot festival, with residents tidying up their homes to host visiting relatives and friends from around the world.
Apart from the spiritual fervour involved, especially as chariot-mounted deities move around the villages blessing the residents, the festival is also a time of family gathering.
The Kalpathy temples, including Old Kalpathy, New Kalpathy and Chathapuram, are tidied up for the festival. Around three dozen Veda scholars arrive to recite Vedas, preserving a centuries-old oral tradition.
The chariots will be readied y by the end of October. They were well-maintained and returned to their sheds in good condition after last year’s festival. Organisers pointed out that only a fresh coat of paint would be needed.
A brochure detailing the festival will be unveiled at Sree Visalakshi Sametha Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kalpathy, on October 4.
