Sree Venu Gopala Swamy, Purakkad
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Sree Venu Gopala Swamy Temple, Purakkad is one of the oldest Gowda Saraswath temples in the world. The main deity is Sree Venu Gopala Swamy. Located in the ancient port city of Purakkad
, the temple was built around 400 years back. Gowda Saraswath Brahmin devotees from all over the world bring their children to perform "Devak Deevop" and "Sodovop".
is such a group of Brahmins that were converted to Christianity by Portuguese. For more information on this topic, please refer Goa Inquisition
. In order to preserve the culture and the tradition, many families of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins migrated to ancient port cities of Mangalore
, Calicut, Cochin, and Purakkad
. Raja of Chembakassery (Ambalapuzha) welcomed the group at Purakkad and provided them land to build a community and their temple.
and the spiritual head of Gaud Saraswath Brahmin community spread over the world. It is noteworthy that Samyameendra Swamiji, before Sanyasa Sweekar ceremony, was released from this temple who was surrendered in the lotus-feet of Sri Venu Gopala Krishna of Purakkad. The Puna-Prathishtta was a grand function since it was a blessing from H. H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji and first ceremony in Kerala after Deeksha Sweekar of Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji. Funds were pouring in from the devotees of G. S. B. world and their enthusiasm was so encouraging that Temple Renovation Committee astonished. The Devaswom managing Committee had already passed a resolution unanimously and presented in the meeting at T. D. School Kochi in A. D. 2000 to highlight that the G. S. B. Samaj and the temple of Purakkad will remain in the lotusfeet of H. H. Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt
Samsthan, the supreme spiritual head and soul of G. S. B. community. The G. S. B Samaj as a whole do Sashtaanga Pranaams in the lotusfeet of Gurudev and we pray to Vyasaraghupathi and Venu Gopal for long and healthy life to Gurudev to guide this community.
Puna-Prathishtta at Purakkad temple on Jan 28th, 2011.
Purakkad
-History:The literal meaning of Purakkad is "out of forest". The village of Purakkad was the scene of battle between Travancore and Kochin forces in 1754 AD ad between Travancore and the forces of Zamorin in 1756 AD. There was an ancient port at Purakkad. The Dutch East India Company had a factory...
, the temple was built around 400 years back. Gowda Saraswath Brahmin devotees from all over the world bring their children to perform "Devak Deevop" and "Sodovop".
History
Goa was ruled by Portugal in the late 15th and early 16th century. Portugese rulers forcefully converted believers of other religion to Christianity. Many people converted to Christianity, but practiced their original tradition secretly. Roman Catholic BrahminRoman Catholic Brahmin
The Roman Catholic Brahmin, also referred to asBamonn in Konkani, is a caste among the Goan and Mangalorean Catholics, of modern-day descendants of Konkani Brahmin converts to Roman Catholicism.-Origins:In Goa, the Brahmins were originally engaged in the priestly occupation, but had taken up...
is such a group of Brahmins that were converted to Christianity by Portuguese. For more information on this topic, please refer Goa Inquisition
Goa Inquisition
The Goa Inquisition was the office of the Inquisition acting in the Indian state of Goa and the rest of the Portuguese empire in Asia. It was established in 1560, briefly suppressed from 1774–1778, and finally abolished in 1812. The Goan Inquisition is considered a blot on the history of...
. In order to preserve the culture and the tradition, many families of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins migrated to ancient port cities of Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
, Calicut, Cochin, and Purakkad
Purakkad
-History:The literal meaning of Purakkad is "out of forest". The village of Purakkad was the scene of battle between Travancore and Kochin forces in 1754 AD ad between Travancore and the forces of Zamorin in 1756 AD. There was an ancient port at Purakkad. The Dutch East India Company had a factory...
. Raja of Chembakassery (Ambalapuzha) welcomed the group at Purakkad and provided them land to build a community and their temple.
Puna-Prathishtta
Punapathishta was performed by H. H. Samyameendra Thirtha Swamiji by order of Guru H. H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the 20th Mattadhipathi of Kashi MuttKashi Mutt
Kashi Math is one of the four spiritual schools followed by the Goud Saraswat Brahmins. Members of the Goud Saraswat community predominantly live along the west coast of India, from Mumbai in the north to Kerala in the south. Other Maths followed by Goud Saraswat Brahmins are Gokarna Math , Shri...
and the spiritual head of Gaud Saraswath Brahmin community spread over the world. It is noteworthy that Samyameendra Swamiji, before Sanyasa Sweekar ceremony, was released from this temple who was surrendered in the lotus-feet of Sri Venu Gopala Krishna of Purakkad. The Puna-Prathishtta was a grand function since it was a blessing from H. H. Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji and first ceremony in Kerala after Deeksha Sweekar of Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji. Funds were pouring in from the devotees of G. S. B. world and their enthusiasm was so encouraging that Temple Renovation Committee astonished. The Devaswom managing Committee had already passed a resolution unanimously and presented in the meeting at T. D. School Kochi in A. D. 2000 to highlight that the G. S. B. Samaj and the temple of Purakkad will remain in the lotusfeet of H. H. Srimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt
Kashi Mutt
Kashi Math is one of the four spiritual schools followed by the Goud Saraswat Brahmins. Members of the Goud Saraswat community predominantly live along the west coast of India, from Mumbai in the north to Kerala in the south. Other Maths followed by Goud Saraswat Brahmins are Gokarna Math , Shri...
Samsthan, the supreme spiritual head and soul of G. S. B. community. The G. S. B Samaj as a whole do Sashtaanga Pranaams in the lotusfeet of Gurudev and we pray to Vyasaraghupathi and Venu Gopal for long and healthy life to Gurudev to guide this community.
Puna-Prathishtta at Purakkad temple on Jan 28th, 2011.
External links
- Purakkad Sree Venu Gopala Devaswom Website
- Purakkad Sree Venu Gopala Swamy Unofficial website maintained by a devotee (Mr. L Gopinatha Pai)
- Kashi Math Website