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| Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple, Mattancherry, Kerala templepurohit.com |
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| Thirumala devaswom temple Gosipuram, Mattancherry, Keralapbase.com |
Above image: The main deity of this famous temple is Sri Venkateswara, flanked by his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. The temple complex also houses smaller shrines dedicated to Hanuman, Garuda, Vigneshwara (Ganesha), and Goddess Mahalakshmi. Noteworthy features include a giant bronze bell, approximately four feet in diameter and six feet in height, used during Kaala Poojas......
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| Thirumala devaswom temple tank, Mattancherry, Keralapbase.com |
Above image: The history of the temple goes several centuries back to the colonial period dominated by the Portuguese who first landed in Kozhikode (Kerala) in 1498. After destruction by invaders, the temple was constructed for the lord and Swami Sudhindra Thirtha of Kumbakonam Math (Successor of Vijayendra Thirtha) performed the First Prathista of Lord Venkateshwara at Cochin in the Year 1599 A.D. Soon after its destruction, the temple was rebuilt in 1633. Later Brahmins from Goa or north Canara begun taking care of the temple, doing their religious duties without fail.........
The Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple, located at Cherlai in the heart of Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala, is not just a place of worship but a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community. Established in the latter half of the 16th century, the temple is managed by the Cochin Tirumala Devaswom, also known as Gosripuram, and represents one of the most significant socio-religious institutions for the Konkani-speaking GSBs of Kerala, whose ancestors migrated from North Canara (Goa/Karnataka).
The presiding deity of this famous temple is Sri Venkateswara, flanked by his consorts, Sreedevi and Bhoodevi, a configuration common in many Vishnu temples of Southern India. The temple complex also houses smaller shrines dedicated to Hanuman, Garuda, Vigneshwara (Ganesha), and Goddess Mahalakshmi. Noteworthy features include a giant bronze bell, approximately four feet in diameter and six feet in height, used during Kaala Poojas, and statues of the Vijayanagara king Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya and Swami Vijayendra Theertha of Kumbhakonam Math. The Samadhi (Tomb/Vrindavan) of Shri Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji (the 19th Madathipathi of Kashi Math) is also located on the premises.
The history of the temple is intrinsically linked to the tumultuous colonial period. Following the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1568, the Portuguese began a vigorous religious persecution in Goa, forcing the Konkani-speaking Brahmins to migrate south. A segment of the community, fleeing the coercive conversion methods, moved to Cochin. Swami Vijayendra Teertha brought the utsava vigraha (processional idol) of Venkatachalapathy to Kochi, leading to the first consecration (Prathista) of the temple in 1599 A.D.
However, the temple faced repeated destruction. Following the Portuguese fury, it was rebuilt in 1633 A.D. (Second Prathista) when the Dutch took over the administration. A much later devastation occurred in 1791 A.D., when the local ruler, Raja Rama Varma (Sakthan Thampuran), oppressed the community. The Vigraha was secretly moved and kept hidden in Alappuzha for many years before finally being brought back and reinstalled on February 7, 1853 A.D. The Third Prathista of the main Vigraha was performed by H.H. Swami Bhuvanendra Thirtha, along with his disciple H.H. Swami Varadendra Thirtha.
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| Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Aarattu - Ratholsavam. youtube.com |
Today, the temple, well-maintained by the Mahajanam (community leadership), continues to be a vibrant center of faith. Its annual festival, the Ratholsavam (Chariot Festival), is a major cultural event.
