Sree Ganapathi Temple

Festivals and Celebrations

The highlight of the temple calendar is the annual Ratholsavam (car festival), held around 25 December (falling on Dhanu 10 in the Malayalam calendar). Visitors describe a colourful procession with elephants carrying the deity through the village streets — a scene that transforms the typically quiet agraharam into a hub of celebration. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed with grand celebrations, and the Pradishtha Dinam (consecration anniversary) draws gatherings of devotees.↗↗

The temple was re-consecrated in 2024, and the renewed murals on the inner walls add a visual richness that long-time visitors had not seen in earlier decades. These paintings complement the traditional Kerala temple aesthetic and reward a close look during a quiet visit.↗

Visiting the Temple

Entry is free. The temple is located approximately 2 km from Vadakkencherry town, making it easily accessible from the main road. Parking is available in front of the temple, with space accommodating even large vehicles. A pond sits behind the temple grounds, and a dining hall on the first floor can seat around 300 people for community meals served during festivals and special occasions.↗↗

Morning and early evening hours are the best times for a peaceful darshan away from festival crowds. During the Ratholsavam period in late December, however, the temple is at its most vibrant and the full village comes alive with the procession.↗↗

Wider Context

Kizhakkencherry lies in the Palakkad gap — a lowland corridor between the Western Ghats where the Bharathapuzha River basin supports a dense concentration of traditional temples. The area around Vadakkencherry alone has several notable shrines, including the Thiruvara Siva Temple nearby and the Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple at Gramam, so a visit to Sree Ganapathi Temple can be part of a rewarding circuit of heritage temples in this corner of Kerala.↗