Venkitachalapathy Temple / Cochin Thirumala Devaswom

Overview

The Cochin Tirumala Devaswom is also known as the biggest and most important socio-religious institution for the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins in Kerala. The temple is situated in Cherlai, and is in the heart of the Mattancherry area in Cochin.

About the Temple

Inside this complex, there are four shrines which are dedicated to Mahalakshmi, Hanuman, Garuda and Vigneshwara. Vrindavan of the Shri Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji is located in this temple. This temple has a Naga Yakshi pedestal which is situated in the southwestern corner of the main temple. Outside the temple, there are other statues, namely of King Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya and Swami Vijayendra Theertha of Kumbhakona Math, as well as a tank.

About the Deity

Lord Venkitachalapathi is the principal deity and he is seen with his consorts, Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. He is placed on top of the Simhasan. Utsav Murti has the consorts in the middle step and Utsav Lakshmi is found on the lower step. Saligrama is placed on the lowest step. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganapathy, Naga Yakshi, Garuda and Navagrahas are other deities.

Legend and Stories

In 1568, with the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire and coercive conversions to Christianity by the Portuguese, the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins migrated from Goa to Kochi. In the course of their migration, Swami Vijayendra Teertha of Kumbhakona Math brought the idol of Venkatachalapathy to Kochi. In 1599, a temple that was plundered several times was built to maintain the idol within. Then, in 1662, the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese but it was reconstructed in 1663 under the Dutch. In 1719, the idol mysteriously disappeared, to be found later on a beach. It was kept at the Dutch Governor’s residence for a while and then restored to the temple. In 1791, when the temple was plundered again, the idol was placed in Alappuzha for several years. In 1853, it was brought back to the temple.

The Story of the Vigraha or the Idol

The icon of Lord Venkateshwara was built up in Cochin and initially was claimed by Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya. He had usurped honored position in 1472 AD and was an extraordinary devotee of Lord Venkateshwara. He went to Tirupati for worship. One night, a dream showed up before the ruler and disclosed to him that he require not take the inconvenience of going by him, and that the master himself would go to his capital city. The King was further informed that a model would approach him for throwing an Image, that the King ought to give it every one of the materials vital and that the picture he would make would be the same of the Lord of Tirumalla Hills. The King was Highly Pleased. Consistent with the fantasy, a model showed up before the lord and in the wake of getting materials required for making the picture, went himself into a room and close himself up. As the figure did not turn out even after quite a while, the ruler had room torn open. He was astonished to see a shining picture of the master of the seven slopes! The ruler speculated that it was none other Lord Viswakarma Himself. Thus the icon came to be known as "Swayamboo" which means Self Born. Before long, King assembled a sanctuary for the establishment of the Idol. Before the Prathista the Lord again showed up before the King in his fantasy one more night and gave him guideline that the prathista ought to happen when a flag is given by the pounding of Dundubhi (Drum). Yet, As destiny would have it, exactly at the season of the flag anticipated that would be listened, few crows flew over the Dundhubhi with twigs and the twigs was unintentionally dropped on the Dundhubhi making a sound which was mixed up for the flag given by the master, and the establishment occurred, which was observed to be foreboding time, just when the lord heard the genuine drum beat later and understood his error. The Disappointed King resigned to bed, however he ruler came to appease him in his fantasy. The Lord said that he would dependably stay with him till his passing. The Lord Also added that as a result of the foreboding time of his establishment, he would leave the city and go to Gosripuram (Later this name got to be Cochin).

First Prathishta at Cochin

Swami Vijayeendra Thirtha of Kumbakonam Math while on voyage through going to traveler focuses stopped close to the disregarded well where the Venkateshwara symbol was lying. At the season of Conclusion of "Sandhyaa Vandana" by the Swamiji, A serpent with brought hood showed up before the swamiji giving the hint to take after the serpent. Swamiji Followed the Serpent. In the wake of creeping a little separation they achieved the disregarded well and from where the serpent went down and vanished. Swamiji took a gander at the base of the disregarded well and found the Venkateshwara Idol lying there. Swamiji assumed it to the position where he was playing out his Sandhya Vandana and performed few poojas to the venkateshwara symbol, then swamiji proceeded with his excursion and achieved a little town and ended there, The Lord in Swamiji's Dream advised to direct to Goshripura (Cochin), where the Lord longed that his object of worship ought to be introduced there forever. Swamiji needed to give the god Abhishekam (shower) in gold coins. Mala Pai who was exceptionally rich, told that he would satisfy swamiji's desire for the abhishekam with gold coins himself alone. In any case, the Abhishekam couldn't be finished in light of the top segment of the crown still stayed unfilled. On counseling Astrologers it was said that it was uncovered by the master that the gold coins for his abhishekam ought to be given by the commitment of 360 families living at cochin. Mala Pai went everywhere throughout the places of the Brahmins living in cochin and modestly asked for to contribute. After a long commitment the master was not yet completely loaded with gold coins, This was a direct result of the Brahmin who was old and had no great garments to wear to visit the sanctuary were the celebration was going on was not ready to contribute. Mala Pai went to his home asked for the commitment; notwithstanding being poor he gave a "Fanam", a little coin which was his sole acquiring to Mala Pai. Swamiji kept his Fanam on the highest point of the Vighraha, The Vighraha was Immediately loaded with Gold Coins. On enquiry celestial prophet in his expectations said that the master was exceptionally satisfied with the commitment of the poor Brahmin who gave his sole procuring to ruler. Ruler said that he is for him. The Poor Old Man Was Named as "Daridra Narayan". Later a Temple was developed for the master and Swami Sudhindra Thirtha of Kumbakonam Math (Successor of Vijayendra Thirtha) played out the First Prathista of Lord Venkateshwara at Cochin in the Year 1599 A.D. in the Lunar month of Chaithra on Pournami Day when the moon was in conjunction with Chitra Star. To Commemorate the First Prathista, A 8-day celebration called Aarat (Utsav) was presented

Destruction of the temple and its Second Prathishta

The temple was destroyed on 2 March 1662 by the Portuguese. The Houses of Konkanies were plundered and markets were looted and the community fled with the Vighraha of Venkateshwara to Udayaperur nearby Tripunithara for safety. They remained there for nearly 10 months.While they were at Udayaperur where they stayed as refugees without proper shelter they took a pledge to spread their habitation in sixteen places eight in Cohin Kingdom and Eight in Travancore Kingdom thereby building sixteen Tirumala Devaswoms and calling each place as "Gramam". Thus there are sixteen gramas or Tirumala Devaswoms that exist.

Fight with The Raja and its Third Prathishta

The year 1791 was marked by the terrible persecution of the Konkanis at the hands of Raja Rama Varma (Popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran). The Raja of Cochin on 12 October 1791 massacred a several Konkani merchants including Dewaresa Kini. He plundered the shops and carried away Konkani merchants property. The Raja also looted the Tirumala Temple at Cochin. The loot was calculated at over 1.6 lakhs from the temple alone. The Konkanies fled to Thuravoor and Alleppey in the Travancore Kingdom with the Lord Venkateshwara's Idol. They were allowed to stay there by the Raja of Travancore. At Alleppey they built a temple on the banks of the Alleppey canal. Sakthan Thampuran made vain efforts to bring back Tirumala Deity back to Cochin.

Festivals

Ratholsavam (temple car festival) in Vrichikom (November-December) and Mahotsavam (grand festival) in Meenom (March-April) are two important festivals. Karthika Pournami, Astami Rohini, Navarathri, Deepavali, Holi, Vasantholsavam are the other festivals.

Pooja

Three time pooja – Usha pooja (moring pooja), Madhyahna pooja (pooja at noon) and mangala arathi (at night) – are held daily.

How To Reach Nedumbassery

International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 22 kms away from Ernakulam, Kochi. The nearest station is at Ernakulam about 10km from Mattancheri. KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Ernakulam Junction railway station.

Temple Address

Venkitachalapathy Temple / Cochin Thirumala Devaswom,
Gosripuram, Mattancherry, Kochi,
Ernakulam District,
Kerala, Pincode - 682002.