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
Purakkad is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
The literal meaning of Purakkad is "out of forest".Alappuzha district, Alappuzha 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. Portuguese rulers forcefully converted believers of other religion to Christianity. Many people converted to Christianity, but practiced their original tradition secretly.
Roman Catholic Brahmin
Roman Catholic Brahmin (IAST ''Bamonns'' in Romi Konkani & '' Kupari'' in Bombay East Indian dialects) is a Christianised caste among the Goan, Bombay East Indian & Mangalorean Catholics; who are patrilineal descendants of Konkani Brahmin ...
is such a group of Brahmins that were converted to Christianity by Portuguese. In order to preserve the culture and the tradition, many families of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins migrated to ancient port cities of
Mangalore
Mangaluru (), formerly called Mangalore ( ), is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bengaluru, the st ...
,
Calicut
Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature.
It is the nineteenth large ...
,
Cochin
Kochi ( , ), formerly known as Cochin ( ), is a major port city along the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. The city is also commonly referred to as Ernaku ...
, and
Purakkad
Purakkad is a village in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
The literal meaning of Purakkad is "out of forest".Ambalapuzha
Ambalappuzha is a small town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India. It is located south of Alappuzha which is the district headquarters.
Ambalappuzha is divided into the two panchayats of Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South. ...
) welcomed the group at Purakkad and provided them land to build a community and their temple.
Puna-Prathishtta
Punapathishta was performed by H. H. Shri Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji by order of Guru Shri Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the 20th Mathadipathi of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan and the spiritual head of Gaud Saraswath Brahmin community spread over the world. It is noteworthy that Samyamindra 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 Shri Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji and first ceremony in Kerala after Deeksha Sweekar of Shri 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 Shri Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji of Kashi Math 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 28 January 2011.Puna-Prathisht "Purakkad Puna Prathishtta" /ref>
Garbha Griha
The
Garbhagriha
A ''garbhagriha'' () is the innermost sanctuary of Hindu and Jain temples, often referred to as the "holy of holies" or " sanctum sanctorum".
The term ''garbhagriha'' (literally, "womb chamber") comes from the Sanskrit words ''garbha'' for ...
or sanctum sanctorum is where the Main idol or Moola Vigraha is placed.
The Garbha Griha in the temple is a ‘Bahu-vera Vidhana’ i.e. more than one idol is installed in the same Garbha Griha.
Navarathri
Navaratri () is an annual Hindu festivals, Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess Durga, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess. It spans over nine nights, first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calen ...
* Janmashtami
See also
*
Goud Saraswat Brahmin
Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) (also Goud or Gawd), also known as Shenvis are a Hindu community of contested caste status and identity. They primarily speak Konkani and its various dialects as their mother tongue.
They claim to be Saraswat Brah ...