A pristine river that flows peacefully, carrying with it the tales of generations; and a quaint little village that tells many stories of a civilization that once lived in glory and privilege – Kalpathy, the heritage village on the banks of river Nila is a destination where history sleeps serenely. A symbol of cultural excellence and heritage, Kalpathy was declared as the first heritage village in Kerala. One of the early settlements of Tamil Brahmin communities in Kerala, Kalpathy has played a big role in shaping the cultural fabric of the state.
The streets of Kalpathy usually wake up to the chants of Vedic mantras and hymns, which are quintessential to the lifestyle of the Brahmin communities here. What stands out about Kalpathy at first glimpse is the unique architectural style of its buildings. Every home is adjoined with the next one, sharing walls and forming a linear pattern. These row houses are known as Agraharams and were designed to serve a way of life that mainly revolved around temples and worship. Kalpathi village chiefly comprises 4 agraharams - Chathapuram, Govindarajapuram, Old Kalpathy and New Kalpathy.
The annual “Kalpathy Ratholsavam”(chariot festival) is one of the most spectacular festivals celebrated in Kerala.
