Palakkad: The Palakkad district administration has given permission to conduct the Kalpathi Ratholsavam(chariot festival) by adhering to the covid protocol. It is decided that a maximum of 100 people will be allowed to enter the temple and a maximum of 200 people would be permitted at the time of the festival in the streets of Agraharam. The chariot festival is scheduled to take place from November 14 to 16.

As big chariots are not allowed, ‘Ratha Sangamam’, the final and most important ritual will not be carried out. For this ritual, all chariots will congregate in front of the Sree Viswanatha temple. 

Small chariots driven by bulls would be used for the festival due to the restrictions. The authorities are also trying to keep the celebration in a low key manner amid the pandemic.

Earlier, The Malabar Devaswom Board, the Ratholsavam Committee and Palakkad MLA had approached the Devaswom Department seeking permission to conduct the annual festival. The department then directed the district administration to take a decision on conducting the Ratholsavam adhering to the Covid protocol. The district administration had also directed the officials to prepare an action plan to avoid crowding during the festival.