Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Temple
The temple is owned by Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins who migrated to Kochi from South Konkan and Goa. The temple is owned by Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins who migrated to Kochi from South Konkan and Goa.
Sri Venkateshwara, the main presiding deity of the Cochin Thirumala Devaswom temple is known by the popular name of Gosripurusha Thirumala Devar. The main idol of Venkateshwara, his consorts, Sreedevi and Bhu Devi on either side is situated at the top of the throne, Utsava Murti with consorts in the middle and Utsava Lakshmi at the lower layer. On the Lowest layer are the Salagramas.
History has it that the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662, the Konkani households were ransacked, shops looted and there were widespread chaos and panic. The local community fled with the idol of Venkateshwara to the nearby village of Udayamperur in Tripunithura where they remained as refugees without proper shelter and other amenities. When the Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1663, the displaced community returned to their home town and established a thriving community in Cochin.
Legend has it that, 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.
Location
Mattancherry
Main Deity
Lord Vishnu
Other Deities
Goddess Lekshmi, lord Hanuman, Lord Ganapathy, Naga Yakshi, Garuda and Navagrahas
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.
Main Offerings
Ashtothararchana, Kalabham, Chendanalepanam - Ulsava Lakshmi, Chendanalepanam - Moola Prathista, Chendanalepanam - Ganapathy, Chendanalepanam - Garudan, Chendanalepanam - Hanuman.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport situated 41.6 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Ernakulam South KSRTC Bus station is 11.8 KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Ernakulam Town Railway Station is 13.2 KM from the Temple.