രഥോത്സവം 2025 എറണാകുളത്തിന്റെ ഗോസ്രിപുരത്തെ വേങ്കടാചലപതി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ നവംബർ മുതൽ ഡിസംബർ വരെ നടക്കുന്ന 7 ദിവസത്തെ വാർഷിക ഉത്സവമാണ്.
രഥോത്സവം വേങ്കടാചലപതി ക്ഷേത്രം ഗോസ്രിപുരം എറണാകുളം | Ratholsavam 2025 | Venkatachalapathy Temple Gosripuram Ernakulam
The temple is owned by Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins who migrated to Kochi from South Konkan and Goa. Historical evidences show that they migrated to Kochi in 1294 A.D. with their idol, Venkitachalapathy. According to legend, the idol of Lord Venkitachalapathy was the one worshipped by Saluva Narasimha Raja, the ruler of Vijayangara kingdom. The idol was granted to him by Lord Venkitachapathy Himself on condition that the Lord would leave Vijayanagara after the death of the king for Gosripuram. After the death of the King, the idol was kept in a well.
Years later the idol was recovered from the well and brought to Gosripuram and in 1599 A.D. In 1791 A.D., the idol was shifted to Thuravoor and then to Alappuzha fearing a threatened looting by Tipu Sulthan. The idol was installed at Anantha Narayanapuram under the protection of Travancore Raja.
But the devotees stole the idol and brought back to Gosripuram in 1853. Though there was litigation over the issue between the Government of Travancore and Government of Cochin, the judgment was in favour of Cochin. In 1881 A.D. the idol was reinstalled at Gosripuram. In 1886, Kasi Madathipathi (Chief of Kasi Mutt) became the supreme head of the temple and representatives of Konkani Mahajanayogam looked after the management. In 1917 Cochin Government took over the administration due to some disputes between Mahajanayogam and its representatives. Before the integration of the states of Travancore and Cochin (in 1949), the Government returned the right of management of temple to the Mahajanayogam. Now a seven member committee manages the temple under the supremacy of Kasi Madathipathi.
Ratholsavam 2025 | Venkatachalapathy Temple Gosripuram Ernakulam
Ratho/savam simply means Chariot Festival. The festival involves an annual procession (journey) of a deity's idols. The main attraction of the festival is magnificent chariots which are beautifully decorated. Beautifully decorated with flowers, flags, sugarcane, coconuts etc are ceremoniously drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees. Dwajarohanam or hoisting of the flag with the picture of Garuda takes place on the afternoon of first day of festival. The lord is taken in procession in the gold palanquin with all the temple paraphernalia namely caparisoned elephants, the Bheri or the royal drums, Nadaswaram etc the procession on the third and fourth day is known as Vana yatra or going round the forest. Sixth day is the day of Pattana Pravesham. On the seventh day, in addition to the usual afternoon rituals, a special Pushpaka Vimana Pooja is also conducted. The festival ends with Arattu (the holy dip) of the idol.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
Annual procession
Dwajarohanam
Vana yatra
Pattana Pravesham
Pushpaka Vimana Pooja
Arattu
Temple Location
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Mattancherry - 450 m
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Mattancherry Bus Stop - 1.2 km
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam - 10.9 Km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport - 42.1 km
Contact
📞 91 484 2225 459, 91 484 2224 197
