Sunday, July 1, 2007

LORD VEDAVYASA


The 'Mahabharata' remains a marvel in the literature of the world. Veda Vyasa was the sage who gave the world this Storehouse of realism, wisdom and compassion. And he was the guide to whom seven generations of the high and the humble looked up in hours of sorrow and darkness.
FOR MORE REFERENCE see alsoLORD VEDAVYASA


HISTORY OF THE KASHI MUTT


The Kashi Mutt was founded in the year 1542 AD,with Shri Vyasaraghupati as the main deity

Before the Kashi Mutt came up, most of the Vaishnava Goud Saraswat Brahmins were followers of Shri Uttaradi Mutt. During the 15th century, Sri Ramachandra Tirtha of Uttaradi Mutt initiated two to sanyasa - Vibhudendra Tirtha and Sri Vidhyanidhi Tirtha. The latter became head of Uttaradi Mutt and Sri Vibhudendra Tirtha founded a new Mutt at Kumbhakonam which came to be known as Purvadi Mutt (later became Raghavendra Swamy Mutt since the great saint Raghavendra of Mantralaya fame belonged to this Mutt). Because of its proximity to South Kanara and Kerala, the Gowda Saraswats were transferred to this Mutt.

Later when Surendra Tirtha became the head of the Mutt at Kumbhakonam, one of his disciples, Vijayindra Tirtha undertook a Chaturmasya(a religious event lasting four months) at Cochin in 1539–1540. Here, he selected Sri Hanumantha Bhaktha and was given deeksha as Yadavendra Tirtha. Yadavendra Tirtha went on to become become head of the new Kashi Mutt at Varanasi established in 1542 AD. Shri Kumbhakonam Math gave two idols of Shri Vyasa and Shri Raghupati to Shrimat Yadavendra Tirtha along with the rights to guide the Gowd Saraswats.
The Kashi Mutt follows a "Guru" system, where in the head of the Mutt appoints a "shishya", who succeeds the Guru after his death. The Mutt has been following the Guru system since it came into being and has been running smoothly to this date.
Shrimat Raghavendra thirtha swamiji is the current head of the Mutt.In his case the
Guru sree Sudheendra thirtha gave him all the powers in 1994.And currently the vedavyasa vigraha is with Raghavendra thirtha swamiji!and he is carrying out the daily pujas for the lord up to this date.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Sree Raghavendra thirtha swamiji



Kashimathathipathi Sree Raghavendra thirtha swamiji during one daily pooja ! LORD VYASA

Sunday, June 10, 2007

SREE KULADEVATHA MANDIRA SAMUCHAYA:-Ambhalamukal/Ambhalamedu-682303

The kuladevatha mandir was built near Sree Varadendra balakasrama, Ambhalamedu, on 1994. On 1994 feb-28 th the prathishta maholsava was conducted ,as suggested ,by Sree Sudheendrathirtha swamiji.The Vigrahas were brought from tamilnadu ,made up on krishnasila,.The main prathishtas are 8 kuladevathas navagrahas and 5 panchalohavigrahas!
Silpi on puja at tamilnadu from where the vigrahas were brought !

1.Sree Damodhar
2.Sree Devakikrishna ravalnath
3.Sree Lakshmi narasimha mahamaya
4.Sree Mahaganapathi
5.Sree Mahalasa narayani
6.Sree Mahalakshmi
7.Sree Nagesh
8.Sree Ramanath santheri kamakshi(not shown)
!KULADEVATHAK PRANAM!
The Kuladevatha mandir map is shown below
MAP

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Near by temples of Thirumala devaswam

Shree Bhadra Narasimhaswami Temple
T D Road
Ernakulam
Cochin 682035


The idol installed in this temple was the family deity of Sri Venkateshwara Bhat Archak of the Thirumala Temple of Ernakulam. As per the directions of H H Srimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji, a trust was formed to manage the temple on 2.5.86. On 3.7.87, foundation stone was laid by them and the reconstruction ceremony was performed by His Holiness on 24th March, 1989.

The temple celebrates the festivals of Vasantha Pooja, Narsimha Jayanthi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Anantha Vritha, etc. annually.




Sri Durga Devi Temple
T D Road
Ernakulam
Cochin 682035


The temple was built in 1934 by 4 sons of Naga Prabhu. Stone idol of presiding deity Sri Shanta Durga was installed along with that of Bethal and four other upadevathas. Daily Pooja, monthly homas, Rudrabhishekha, annual Prathisth day ceremonies, Sata Kalashabisheka etc. are conducted by the Kula Purohit of the family. Eldest male member of the family manages the temple with the contribution from all members of the family for the prescribed rituals.


Sri Ernakulam Tirumala Devaswom ( T D Temple )
T D Road
Ernakulam 682035


The temple was established in 1727 A.D. with Pratishta of Sri Laxmi Venkatesha as Chief Deity. Other Parivara devatas like Sri Mahalakshmy, Sri Ganapathy, Sri Hanuman and Sri Garuda were installed later on. Since then renovations have been done from time to time. Work of Suvarna Garuda Vahanam costing Rs. 50 lakhs was completed in 1989.




Sri Gopalkrishna Swami Devaswom
T D Road
Ernakulam
Cochin 682035


One of the most prominent among family temples in Kerala. The idols were brought from Goa to save it from destruction of the Portuguese, to save our religion, rituals and culture.

The presiding deity here is the kuladevata of Bharadwaj Gotra, Atri Gotra Gowda Saraswaths. This temple closely resembles th the famous temple at Marshel in Goa.

Sri Krishna Vadyar who was grand sire and leader of 10 families immigrated here, erected this temple. Later his brother Achutha Vadhyar moved to Ernakulam with the idol and settled down there. The Sixtieth anniversary of the consecration of Gopalkrishna Swamy temple was celebrated in Feb. 1976 under guidance of H H Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji.

The suvarna garuda vahana of Sree punjabjapuresh


The suvarna (golden)("bangra" in konkani bangar=gold)garuda vahana of Sree punjabjapuresh,was
dedicated to the deity by the people (GSBs)of punjabjapuram,
it costed about 50 lakhs when it was made in 1989,during the
days of " Adhikari" Sree Rama prabhu in thirumala devaswam.
A combined work of the GSBs ,to please the god.Almost all
families donated their welfare & money for the development of
suvarna garuda.There is also a rupea garuda(silver) in devaswam.
During all arattu ,the suvarna garuda and rupea garuda puja are
being conducted at night.The suvarna garuda puja of kochin thirumala devaswam is a well known puja among the garuda pujas.Almost all gsb temples have vahanas like garuda sesha
ayiravatha etc
Sree Sudheendra thirtha swamiji during one "bangra gurida puja".

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Sri Ernakulam Tirumala Devaswom

The Sri Ernakulam Tirumala Devaswom Temple is on Panjabjapuram,T D Road, Ernakulam, Cochin, was established in 1727 A.D, with Sri Laxmi Venkatesha as the chief deity. Other deities like Sri Mahalakshmy, Sri Ganapathy, Sri Hanuman and Sri Garuda were installed later on. Since then renovations have been done from time to time.The idol orginally was the Kuladevata of Sri Dhamodhara Achari who migrated from Goa.Eight of the families who migrated from Goa, settled in Ernakulam. Shri Dhamodhara Achari was one among them who has brought his Kuladevata Shri Venkatachalapathy and worshipped in his house. Later the eight families wanted to establish a temple for this idol at this place. They approached the local chieftains (the five Kaimal families) to give them land for this purpose. The five Kaimals were locally called 'Anchu Kaimal' (Anchu means five in Malayalam) and the present Ernakulam was called 'Anchu Kaimal' area in those days. Even today in local Konkani the place is referred as "Enchikammel".

The prominent among the Kaimals Sri Cheranallur Kartha donated about 2 acres of land for construction of the temple. A small temple was constructed and the idol was installed there in 1727 A.D along with a Ganapathy idol. The Cochin Tirumala Devaswom donated two idols for worship to this temple. Later the temple was expanded and the Agrasalas were constructed and the Second Prathistra in the renovated temple was done in 1780 AD. The Dwaja Prathista (flag post) was erected in 1823 AD. When Sri Dasa Prabhu was the Devaswom administrator, he ignored the committee (Yogakkars) and in conflict deposited keys of the temple in Cochin Tirumala Devaswom in 1829 AD. Thus, the temple came under the administration of Cochin Tirumala Devaswom and the cold war started between the Cochin and Ernakulam members. The community in Ernakulam objected to the administration of Cochin Tirumala Devaswom, and declared independence. In 1877 AD, the governance was handed over back to members in Ernakulam. The temple was again renovated and prathista mahotsav was conducted in 1897 AD.
The temple pond with "arattu mandapam"& The gopuram













The 250th year of the first Prathista was celebrated in 1977 AD and an attractive Gopuram was constructed in front of the temple at the entrance from the TD Road to commemorate this occasion. The Gopuram was inagurated by Srimad Sudheendra Thirtha Swamiji of Kashi mutt on 15 Jan 1977.
The temple pond is at just outside the main temple on the left side of the main entrance. The "Arattu mandapam" at the center of the tank is for taking the Lord for Snanam or Bath on the last day of the Annual temple festival.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Adherence to Religion :


One of the most important features of the community is their adherence of their religion and preservation of their religious worship by building temples to cater to the needs of the community in towns and villages they settled.
In the installation of images in most of the Gowda Sarswat temples, the Gowda Saraswats were actuated by the motive of propagating the Venkateswara Cilt. Thus it is that the Image Lord Venkateswara is installed in these temples. A research conducted in the records kept in the Regional Office of the Kerala State Archives; Ernakulam' it was found that the Worship of Venkateswara as the presiding deity in the temples of Gowda Saraswats, originated from the Cochin Thirumala Temple. In one of the records kept in the Archives Department of Kerala (Thirumala Devaswom record series 10, dated 1023-5-10 M.E. Memorandum submittedto the british Resident of Travancore) it was stated that the view current amongst the people that the Image of Lord Venkateswara was bought first from the konkan District to Cochin is incorrect. It was after the settlement of the Konkanis (Saraswats) in Cochin abandoning their native land Konkan, SrimadVijayandra Tirtha Swami of Kumbakonam Mutt cameover to Cochin and made a temporary stay there. The Mahajanams of Cochin who were then having link with the Kumbakonam mutt came to know that a miraculous Image of Lord Venkateswara was with the Swamiji and wanted the Image should be installed in Cochin Temple as the main deity. When the Swamiji found that the people would get prosperity and happiness if the image of Lord Venkateswara was installed and worshipped in Cochin temple the Swamiji acceeded to the request made by the Cochin temple Mahajanams for installation if the image in Cochin temple itself. The wishes of the Swamiji that the Image should be given a bath in gold coins, "Kanakabishka" were fulfilled by the Mahajanams and the gold coins handed over to the Swamiji by the Mahajanams, and the Image was permanently installed in the Cochin temple as the main deity of the Sarswaths. Gradually Saraswats residing in other parts of Kerala also installed Image of Lord Venkateswara as the presiding deity in their temples. It was stated, "that from this first estalblishment serveral other pagodas have been formed and settled in different disticts and the said Thirumala Devaswom (Cochin TD Temple) has like wise co operated in building and supporting them, as well as directing their several duties in it, and in assisting the individuals to carry in their business in life (taken from Thirumala Devswom records, state archives , Ernakulam Para 2 & 3 of the respresentation dated 23-6-1820).

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

STORY OF THE COCHIN VENKATESHWARA DEITY


Sri Vijayindra Tirtha of Kumbakonam mutt gave this magnificent idol of Lord Venkatewara to the GSB community at Cochin.
During 15th Century AD, the Vijayanagar Kingdom was ruled by a pious king Saluva Narasimha, one of the popular royal dynasties of ancient India. This king was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati and used to visit the temple by walking up the hill for worship. When the king became old, and incapable to walk, it is said that the king's prayers were answered by the Lord.

One day a sculptor appeared before him and agreed to make an idol of the Lord for his daily worship. The king gave the sculptor the required materials for making the idol and the sculptor shut himself up in a room. As he did not come out of the room even after a reasonably long period, the room was broken open only to see the idol of the Lord, the sculptor missing. It is believed that the Lord himself came as the sculptor and the idol is considered as Swayambhu or self born. The king built a temple for the idol and he was instructed by the Lord in his dreams to consecrate the idol during the auspicious time, when the heavenly drums dundubhi would be heard. As fate would have it, some crows happened to fly over the royal drums with twigs in their beaks and the twigs accidentally dropped on the drums producing a sound, which was mistaken for the auspicious hour indicated by the Lord. The idol was duely consecrated at that hour which was inauspicious.The grief stricken king was pacified by the Lord in his dreams that He would remain with him till his death, after which he would leave for a place by name Gosripuram. After the demise of the king, a great fire broke out in the kingdom and the idol was thrown into a dilapidated well. As the legend has it, Swami Vijayendra Thirtha of Sree Kumbhakonam Mutt who happened to traverse that region during one of his tours, is said to have been led by a serpent to the well wherein the idol of the Lord was deposited. The Swamiji recovered the idol from the well and started worshipping the idol along with his other idols. Swami Vijayendra Tirtha visited Cochin and performed Chaturmasa Vrita among the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin Community of Cochin. Upon seeing the radiance of the idol, the community of Cochin under the leadership of Sri Mala Pai, requested the idol from the Swamiji.

The Swamiji agreed to hand over the idol in exchange for a heap of gold coins that would immerse the idol. All the gold coins brought in by the wealthy Mala Pai could cover only the body of the idol and not its tip. It was presumed that the Lord did not want to stay at cochin as a property of an individual. Only gold coins and ornaments brought in from the home of every community member could cover the tip of the idol. Kanakabishekam, a symbolic ritual of this immersion of the idol in gold is performed to the Lord even to this day during any special occasion

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The Thirumala Deity:

Prof: Das Gupta further adds : "the king of Travancore was exceedingly angry to hear of the massacre. Both Devaresa and Nagendra , the Son of Ranga Pai , were his agents and between them took care of a great deal of his money. He urged the Dutch to take vengeance and , then to pay him a proper compensation. Infact he went so far as to offer assistance. But the English (Mr. Powney, the English company's agent) intervened, and the the King of Travancore had to withdraw from the dispute. A face saving compramise for the Dutch was reached but the sense of older security did not return". It was not tilll the english power was firmly established in Cochin, says the Grandavari of Cochin, "that the konkanies and christians became finally free from molestations".

The persucted Konkanies then fled to Thuravoor and Alleppey in Travancore and presented their grievances to the Raja thru Dewan Kesavadas who assured them that he would bring about their return to and stay at Cochin as before and in the interim allowed them to stay at Alleppey. At Alleppey , they installed their god's image , Thirumala Devar, which they took care to preserve on the banks of Alleppey Canal.

Sakthan Thampuran them made vain attempts to bring back Thirumala Deity frm Alleppey to Cochin. In reply to a Thitooram, form them Raja of Cochin ( 12-7-968 M. E / 1792 , State Archives , Ernakulam). Dewan Chembaga Raman kesavan of Travancore States, "I dare say their (Sarasvats) fears will be removed if your Highness , as I adviced your Highness whilst at cochin", would send Thitooram on the subject to the Adhikaries, Mahajanams and sanyasi of the Thirumala Devaru. The Thitooram which your Highness, may be pleased to send them should be so written as to assure them of your Highness's protection as dispel all further doubts from their minds". In reply to another Thitooram from Raja of Cochin, the Dewan of Travancore further writes (Dated 13-8-968 M.E. / 1792, "..... I will send for the konkanies and inform them of the Contents of your Highness's Thitooram and will endeavour to pursuade them to appear before your Highness".

The Raja also made attempts to get back the Thirumala Deity through the Dutch Government functioning at Cochin. In his letter (No. 378/74/, I series, dated 26/11/970/1794 A.D., State Archives, Ernakulam), the Raja of Cochin "requests the Commandore to order that the Thirumala Devaswom Fund kept as a deposit in the secetariat should be made over to Palliat Menon (Prime Minister of Cochin) who will receice on behalf of Devaswom to make arrangements for the proper conducting of the temple ceremonies before the celebration of 'Choroonoo' (Ceremony of giving the new born child Prince of Cochin to eat for the first time with preliminary oblations to fire)". The Raja further stated in his letter that on consulting astrologers it was found that the Cochin Royal family had incurred the severest displeasure of the Cochin Thirumala Deity.

After the death of Sakthan Thamburan, Raja Kerala Varma who sucesseded him took keen interest in the image & wish to get it back to Cochin. He even addressed a letter to Col. Munro (991 M.E/ 1816 A.D) wherein he stated that "as the rheumatic and hermein disease which we have been suffering from has grown more serious now & since no visible cure has been affected not withstanding that several physicians have treated the disease and as , on consulting astrologers , it turns out that we have incurred the serevest displeasure of the Cochin Thirumala Deity and that the disease will be cured if the Thirumala Deity is returned to Cochin, consecration effected and the poojas commenced...." (State Archives Ernakulam ). The Raja therefore requested Col. Munro to use his good offices for restoration of the image in question to Cochin; But the request was turned down by the then resident as a result of urgent representation of Travancore officers that the "presence of the image was considered to be intimately connected with the prosperity of the Port of Alleppey" (Minutes of consultation , dated 19-8-1858 , Political Department by T.Pycorft, Chief Sec. Madras).

It was only after the settlement of the Cochin Konkanies at Alleppey that the place began to develop into a center of commerce. The konkanis build 'Pandikasala' and started doing extensive business. It was during the prime ministership of the Diwan Kesavadas who recommended the case of Konkanies to the Raja of Tranvancore for their stay at Alleppey, that the new port of Alleppey came into being with better harbour facilities. The desparate Konkanies of Cochin planned the recovery of the Image by hook or crook. Ultimately the Image was clandestinely brought back to Cochin on the midnight of 8th Feb 1853. The object was laudable and it being 1853 there was no risk of a head being lost. Since it was found that the Raja of Cochin had his hand in the Robbery, the Maharaja of Travancore put in a lenghtly complaint with the governor of Fort, St. George through the resident , Trivandrum for the restitution of the Image in question , and the whole matter was referred to the Hon. Court of directors Madras, and a long drawn out suit ensued between the two states , Cochin & Tranvancore. The Konkanies of Cochin got through all ordeals and finally the Idol was duly reinstated in the Cochin Temple itself.

Consequent History

The year 1791 was marked by the terrible persecution of the konkanies at the hands of Raja Rama Varma, Known in Cochin Historyas Sakthan Thampuran. Shortly after ascending the gaddi the Raja demanded a contribution of jaggery from the Konkanies. On refusal, the Raja arrested a number of Konkanies and ordered them to pay customs to the king thereby violating the agreement which the Dutch had made in the year 1772.

Letters were exchanged between the Raja of Cochin and the Dutch Governor, an abstract from which reads thus. "Owing to H. H. 's oppression of the Konkanies and imprisonment of the T. D Authorities , the Dutch have determined to station a military detachement at Chellayi to protect them, and insist on recall of H. H. 's guard stationed there and warns of the serious consequences of the conduct of H. H. 's (NO. IXVI / 1 State Archives, Ernakulam dated 17-7-1771) I series ( No. 379/5, State Archives Ernakulam, dated 26-7-1771 is a reply communicating the conditions proposed in negotiation with the Valiah Sarvadhi Kariakar and two Sarvadhi Kariakars deputed by H. H., namely that the Dutch will recall their detachment leaving only a small guard near the temple site, provided H. H. will not subject the Konkanies for any new demand and summon them to palace. I Series No: 379/14-9-1771 is a reply to H. H.'s letter. The Dutch Council informs the Raja that the Council will not order the recall of Dutch detachments unless H. H. gives a written assurance that the konkanies will not be troubled by new demands. I Series No: 379/15 dated 16-8-1771 is a letter of warning given by the Dutch to the Raja of Cochin. It states, "H H. will be held responsible for the loss of Thirumala Devasom by H. H.'s injunction not to allow gathering of crops on Devasom Kanam fields, the trustees being unable to appear before H. H in the present time". But in disregard ogf the warning, on 12th October 1791 the leading merchants of the Konkani community were massacred including Deweresa Kini. Again, Raja caused three overseers of Temple Thirumala Devasom to be put to death because they won't surrender to him any part of the trasure belonging to it, and also plundered the shops and carried away the merchant's property. The Duth on seeing the Raja's atrocities sent an army and attacked the King' Palace at Mattancherry, but were repulsed. Letter I, Series No: 379/19, of the Dutch Dated 15-101791 (State Archives, Ernakulam) explains why guns were discharged against Cochin Palace, viz. protection of the Konkani subjects who, frightened by devastation in the Devswom shops by H. H.'s men, left the country in ship for personal security, some having persuaded and given shelter in Cochin fort". The Raja plundered the temple of Thirumala belonging to the comunity. Prof: Das Gupta writes, "The loot was calculated at over Rs. 1,60,000 from the temple alone." (Malabar in Asian Trade p.121).

The story that Sakthan Thampuran, Raja of Cochin , demanded the head of Devaresa Kini to be shown as "Kani" to him is related by Saastri Poy in his account given latter. He says that on that day the Sambadi Menon (Sec. of King of Cochin) came to Pandyashala of Devaresa Kini and said that for the money due to him pepper could be given in payment. He then, apparentely to speak very privately to him, took him to a room in Pandyashla. When engaged in conversion, 2 or 3 country boats sailed up & stopped to the North of the godown. First stepped out "Balia Gammaan" or Capt. of the Infantiry, and the no. of men with swords drawn. The former entered the room where Devaresa Kini was talking with Menon. Menon pinned Devaresa down while two men murdered him. The rest of the men who were on the main hall murdered the Konkanies whom they could catch hold of. The head of Devaresa Kini was severed and that severed head of kini was exhibited to the Raja as a first thing ("kini") next morning. "Among the murdered included Krishen, Goga Kamath, Manuku Shenoi and son of Ranga Pai. Ofcourse the remaining , Saastra Pai, Morthu Patter were wounded but Baboden fortunetly escaped". (Ibid).

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Events Table

Before 15th Century
1500BC The river saraswathi from where Gowda Saraswaths originated dried up. This river now extinct was between the river Yamuna and the Sutlej.
700 BC Upanishadic Era
About 740 Swami Vivarananda founded Kaivalya Mutt Samsthan at Kaushasthali near Keloshi (Goa). The worshipped deity of this samsthan is Shri Bhavani Shankar. Swami Vivarananda was a disciple of Govinda Bhagavathpaada who also initiated Adi Shankaracharya to sanyas on the banks of river Narmada.
1238 Shri Madhvacharya (Dvaitha Siddhantha philosopher) born
13th Century Madhvacharya visited Gomanthak
1277 Soira Vittal Bhat (an astrologer ) founded Shri Venkatramana Temple at Mulki
1293 Madhvacharya visited Manjeshwar Temple
14th Century Soma Sharma went to Karkal and (with the help of Soira Prabhu) founded Shri Venkatramana Temple by installing the idol brought by him from Tirupathi
1318 Madhvacharya passed away.
15th Century Division of Uttaraadi Mutt and foundation of Kumbhakonam Mutt
1453 Shri Parasurama Damodara Temple founded at Bhatkal

15th Century

1510 Shri Kaathyaayini-Baaneshwar temple founded at Aversaa (Ankola, Karnataka)
25-4-1537 Shri Venkatramana Temple at Karkal renovated by installing the new idol
1538 Narasimha Temple founded at Bhatkal by Narasa Kini
1539 Shri Vijayeendra Tirtha of Kumbhakonam Mutt Samsthan observed Chaturmasya Vrita in Kochi. Vijayeendra Tirtha persuaded to initiate a saraswath boy to sanyasa. Vijayeendra agreed and the Vatu selected taken to Varanasi for education and initiated to sanyasa by name Yaadavendra (Hence became the first pontiff of Kashi Mutt) .
1542 Foundation of Kashi Mutt Samsthan. The worshipped deity of this samsthan is Shri Vedavyasa
21-1-1542 Copper plate and Raayasa-pathram issued to Yaadavendra Tirtha by Surendra Thirtha (Guru of Vijayeendra Tirtha)
3-2-1542 Raayasa-pathram issued by Surendra Thirtha (Guru of Vijayeendra Tirtha) to Gowda Saraswath Brahmin community
1545 / 46 Narayana Temple founded at Bhatkal by Kheth Pai
1550 Lakshmi Narayana Temple founded at Bhatkal by Lakkarasa Kamthi
1555 Tirumala Temple founded at Bhatkal by Santappa Nayaka
1560 Portuguese atrocities started in Goa
1564 Kaivalya Mutt Samsthan at Kushasthali destroyed by Portuguese. Decision to shift temples from Saashati province (Goa) to other place taken
1565 Virupaksha Narayana Temple founded at Bhatkal by Jeevana Nayaka.
1567 Hindu temples demolished in Goa.
23-11-1569 Shri Vijayeendra Tirtha of Kumbhakonam Mutt installed the idol of Ugra-Narasimha at Shri Venkatramana Temple, Mulki on the day of Datta-Jayanthi. Later Maadhavendra Tirtha (7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) in 18th Century installed the idol of Bindu-Maadhava (the procession deity).
1583 Rama Bhat (later Keshavendra Tirtha- second pontiff Kashi Mutt Samsthan) born
1590 Raghunath Temple founded at Bhatkal by Bala Kini
30-3-1599 Sudhindra Tirtha of Kumbhakonam Mutt installed the idol in Kochi Tirumala Devasvom

16th Century

17th Century Venkatesh Bhat founded Shri Venkatramana Temple at Katapadi by installing the idol of Venkatramana Swamy sahitha Sridevi-Bhudevi along with idol of Shri Anantha Shayana Swamy as uthsavmoorthy given by Upendra Tirtha (third pontiff, Kashi Mutt).
1603 Shri Venkatesha Temple founded in Honnavar
12-5-1606 Jog Mallya s/o Bhatkal Anantha Mallya donated Shri Tirumala Temple in Bhatkal to Yadavendra Tirtha(first pontiff, Kashi Mutt)
22-6-1608 Yaadavendra Tirtha (first pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Bhatkal
1629 Hanumantha Bhat (later Yaadavendra Tirtha II - 4th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born
1646 Narayana Bhat (later Raghavendra Tirtha 5th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and shishya of Upendra Tirtha - 3rd pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born
27-2-1670 Keshavendra Tirtha (2nd pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Basrur
Sep 1670 Somashekara Nayak I of Keladi (a kingdom which once stretched along the entire seacoast from Goa to Malabar was founded by Chowdappa Nayaka in 1499AD in Malnad area of Karnataka) endowed land at Bangar (this place was on the upper portion of Mangalore) and Manchi (near Puttur taluk of South Kanara district) for the performance of Brahmana Santarpane (i.e. Brahmana Bhojana feeding devotees free of cost) and Nandaa deepthi at Manjeshwar Temple
1674 Raghavendra Tirtha (5th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) established Kashi Mutt at Manjeshwar
24-10-1674 Upendra Tirtha (3rd pontiff, Kashi Mutt and 1st shishya of Keshavendra Tirtha - 2nd pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away in Varanasi
1685 Queen Chennamaji (w/o Somashekara Nayak I ) who ruled Keladi for 25 years from 1671 to 1696 endowed the government income procured via the collection of tax at the ports of Manjeshwar and Kumbla for the performance of Brahmana Santarpane (i.e. Brahmana Bhojana feeding devotees free of cost), Rathothsavam and Nandaa deepthi at Manjeshwar Temple. This tax income was 800 varaha gold coins (one varaha is number equivalent to 4 rupees so the tax income at the Manjeshwar and Kumbla ports was 3600 rupees at that time)
1699 Shri Venkatramana Temple at Karkal renovated for the second time

17th Century

1703 Kodagas looted Shri Maha Maya Temple (Kuladevatha of family of Impersonators of holy Oracle - MANJESHWAR DEVDARSHAN - at Manjeshwar) in Mangalore
15-9-1711 Yaadavendra Tirtha II(4th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and 2nd shishya of Keshavendra Tirtha - 2nd pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away in Hemmady
1719 Devendra Tirtha (6th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) and Maadhavendra Tirtha (7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) conducted renovation-reinstallation ceremony at Kochi Tirumala Devaswom
15-2-1725 Raghavendra Tirtha (5th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and shishya of Upendra Tirtha - 3rd pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away in Varanasi
1727 Tirumala Devasvom founded at Ernakulam
21-9-1734 A sanad (letter of authority by which one gets the right to travel with paraphernalia in a particular kingdom and due care to be taken thereof by the administrative officers of the kingdom for ensuring safety of travel and stay) issued to Devendra Tirtha (6th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) by Somashekara Nayaka II of Keladi
1742 Maadhavendra Tirtha (7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) installed the idol in Shri Varadaraja Venkatramana Temple at Gurpur, South Kanara
1755 Ali Sultan of Arakkal House, Cannanore (Kerala) along with Tulagee Angria (s/o Conaajee Angria) from Maharashtra looted Manjeshwar temple in January 1755 by bringing their army in ships. However, the planned proceedings about this attack leaked in advance little early as December 1754. Hence on 14th day of Dark Fortnight (i.e Krishna Paksha or Bahula) of Maargashira the majority of movable valuables was concealed to safer place. However, these attackers still carried away the remaining valuables.
1763 Tirumala Devasvom founded at Shertalli
10-3-1773 Yaadavendra Tirtha III (9th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and second shishya of Maadhavendra Tirtha - 7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away prematurely at Honnavar when his guru Maadhavendra Tirtha was still alive. Similarly, Jnanendra Tirtha (8th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and first shishya of Maadhavendra Tirtha - 7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) also had passed away prematurely at Naasik somewhere between 1746 and 1773. These incidents finally resulted initiation of third shishya, Upendra Tirtha II (10th pontiff, KashiMutt)
1-8-1775 Maadhavendra Tirtha (7th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) entered Jeevantha Samadhi at Walkeshwar, Mumbai
4-1-1778 Sureendra Tirtha (12th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and first shishya of Rajendra Tirtha - 11th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born. The details of Vishnu Tirtha (13th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and second shishya of Rajendra Tirtha - 11th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) are not much available except that he attained Jala Samadhi at Banaras
21-3-1782 Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born
2-12-1791 Upendra Tirtha II (10th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away in Varanasi
1794 Narasimha Domba Hegde (Raja of Vittal, South Kanara who led the plundering of Manjeshwar Temple in 1799) fled to Tellicherri (Kerala) and joined hands with British to overcome his enemy Tippu Sultan
29-10-1798 Sumatheendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born
1799 As soon as the 4th Mysore war broke, which resulted in the demise of Tippu Sultan around noon of 4th May 1799, Narasimha Domba Hegde, Raja of Vittal (South Kanara) who was till then Tellicherry with British returned to his place and soon looted Manjeshwar Temple over the issue of swaasthi (emoluments) not being paid due to successive transfer of ownership of land at Kendragaya from him to Manjeshwar temple. This attack caused devastating losses including breaking up of Brahma-Ratha.
30-5-1799 Rajendra Tirtha (11th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Thuravoor, Kerala. Samadhi at Shri Narasimha Temple, Thuravoor

18th Century

1801 Francis Buchanan (15.2.1762 15.6.1829), later known as Francis Hamilton, employed by Richard Colley Wellesley (1760-1842), then governor-general of India from 1797-1805 appointed by East India Company, for the purpose of examining the state of the country, visited Manjeshwar.

While speaking of the Konkanies of Manjeshwar (by characterising them as those migrated from Goa due to atrocities by Portuguese), he claimed that They are in flourishing circumstances, and I saw some of their marriage processions passing to-day, attended by a number of exceedingly well-dressed people and very handsome girls. This is revealed in his book - A Journey from Madras Through the Countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar, for the Express Purpose of Investigating the State of Agriculture, Arts and Commerce, the Religion, Manners, and Customs : The History, Natural, Civil and Antiquities - first published in 1807 by T. Cadell and W. Davies, London.

1804 Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) re-installed the idol of Shri Bhadra Narasimha at Manjeshwar temple. This was re-installation with considerable effort but not installation, as the idol was taken out to safer places (first to Kundadka, near Paane Mangalore, Bantwal Taluk and then to Karkal) in anticipation of the attacks by Narasimha Domba Hegde in 1799.
1804 The idol of Veera Venkatesha installed on Rakthaakshi Samvatsara Jyeshta Shuddha Trayodashi in Mangalore Temple by Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt). Click here for more details.
15-3-1855 Sumatheendra Tirtha (15th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) initiated to Sanyasa
20-5-1855 Sureendra Tirtha (12th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) installed the idol in Shri Venkatramana Temple at Kundapur
6-6-1831 Sureendra Tirtha (12th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Alleppey, Kerala at the age of 53.
1833 One Abbayya (perhaps Bhat and hailed from Kundapur) initiated to sanyasa at Manjeshwar and renamed as Vasudendra Tirtha (16th pontiff of Kashi Mutt). This is the first of the two sanyasa deeksha ceremonies of Kashi Mutt consecrated at Manjeshwar. In or about 1833 when Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) was camping at Manjeshwar the swamiji felt that his end was nearing and immediately sent for his shishya Sumatheendra Tirtha (15th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) who was then at Kochi. However Sumatheendra Tirtha could not come to Manjeshwar which finally resulted initiation of Vasudendra Tirtha as the second shishya of Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) who eventually succeeded as the 16th pontiff of Kashi Mutt .
27-3-1834 Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Manjeshwar at the age of 52.
Nov/Dec 1834 First Brahma - Rathothsavam (Car-festival) of the newly built Ratha at Manjeshwar. The construction of this Ratha (which is the one existing today and hence the wood used is indeed over 200 years old) though started around 1800 took about 34 years to complete. Mention must be made to definitely to note with dejection that the life span of Vibhudendra Tirtha (14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt - who along with the community, led the renovation work of Manjeshwar temple soon after it was plundered by Narasimha Domba Hegde, Raja of Vittal, South Kanara in 1799) could not make it up to officiate this particular Shashti Ceremony of this newly built Brahma Rath. It was carried out by the hands of Sumatheendra Tirtha (15th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) on Margashira Shuddha Shashti.
1837 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born in Kamath family
1849 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) initiated to Sanyasa
31-3-1851 Sumatheendra Tirtha (15th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and first shishya of Vibhudendra Tirtha-14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Alleppey, Kerala. His shishya, Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) was still then a minor of age 14 who then recognized Vasudendra Tirtha (16th pontiff, Kashi Mutt and second shishya of Vibhudendra Tirtha-14th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) as his guru .
16-5-1859 Vasudendendra Tirtha (16th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Manjeshwar. Though Vasudendendra Tirtha didnt initiate anyone to sanyasa, it was always his desire to have his Vrindavan (samadhi) by the side of his Gurus Vrindavan. This very same desire was expressed by him before MANJESHWAR DEVDARSHAN and hence was assured of. Thus he passed away at Manjeshwar on Vaishaakha Shuddha Poornima day (the last day uthsav of MANJESHWAR DEVDARSHAN before it was to get reinvoked during succeeding Shashti Ceremony)
18-5-1864 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) installed the idol in Hosdurg temple
1866 Giri Mallya (later, Varadendra Tirtha - 18th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) born
15-7-1874 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) reinstalled the idol in Kundapura Temple
10-1-1876 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) performed Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam at Manjeshwar temple
6-6-1876 Giri Mallya initiated to sanyasa and renamed as Varadendra Tirtha - 18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) at Manjeshwar. This is the last of the two sanyasa deeksha ceremonies of Kashi Mutt consecrated at Manjeshwar
1877 Reinstallation at Shri Venkatrmana Temple, Uppinangady by Purna Prajna Tirtha of Gokarna Mutt.
26-11-1886 Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) passed away at Basrur
1888 Varadendra Tirtha (18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) installed the idol of Padmavathi at Karkal
26-4-1896 Varadendra Tirtha (18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) installed the idol Shri Lakshmi Venkatesha at Tenkapet, Udupi temple. However, the foundation stone was laid by his guru Bhuvanendra Tirtha (17th pontiff , Kashi Mutt)
7-2-1897 Varadendra Tirtha (18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) peformed the re-installation ceremony
26-3-1897 Srinivasa Prabhu (later Sukratheendra Tirtha- 19th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) born
27-3-1899 Varadendra Tirtha (18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) installed the idol of Shri Venkatramana Temple at Puttur, South Kanara
1912 Srinivasa Prabhu initiated to sanyasa on Shravana Shuddha Chaturthi, Paridhaavi Samvathsara at Trichi (Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnad) on the banks sacred river Kaveri and renamed as Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff , Kashi Mutt)
24-6-1914 Varadendra Tirtha (18th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) passed away at Walkeshwar, Mumbai
5-5-1919 Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) re-installed the idol in Shri Venkatramana Temple at Katapadi
10-5-1919 Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) re-installed the idol Hosdurg temple.
28-11-1919 MANJESHWAR DEVDARSHAN orders in presence of Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) for the performance of Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam
Feb 1920 Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) performed Sahasra Kumbhaabhishekam at Manjeshwar temple
31-3-1926 Sadashiva Shenoy (later Sudhindra Tirtha - 20th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) born at Ernakulam, Kerala
10-6-1935 Sukratheendra Tirtha installed the idols in Shri Ramanjaneya Temple at Vile Parle, Mumbai
1936 MANJESHWAR DEVDARSHAN stops on Chaithra Shuddha Poornima day not to get re-invoked till today
14-2-1940 Sukratheendra Tirtha installed the idols in Shri Pattaabhi Ramachandra Temple in Koteshwar
25-2-1942 Sukratheendra Tirtha (19th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) installed the idols of Shri Vitobha, Rukmini and Satyabhama at Sri Vitobha Temple, Mundkur founded by GSB community led by Lakshman Kamath.
24-5-1944 Sadashiva Shenoy initiated to sanyasa and renamed as Sudheendra Tirtha (20th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) at Mulki, South Kanara.
10-7-1949 Sukratheendra Tirtha passed away at Kochi, Kerala.
1-2-1952 Sudheendra Tirtha (20th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) re-installed the idols in Gurupura temple
20-5-1959 Sudheendra Tirtha (20th pontiff , Kashi Mutt) re-installed the idols in Kundapura temple
1977 Sudheendra Tirtha (20th pontiff, Kashi Mutt) performed Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam at Manjeshwar temple

Monday, April 23, 2007

About the Gotras

The origin

The gotra system is part of a system of classification or identification of various Brahmin families in ancient times. The gotra classification took form probably sometime during the Yajur Veda period, after the Rig Veda period. It is believed that the gotras (now account to a total of 49) started to consolidate some around 10-8 Century B.C. The present day gotra classification is created from a core of 8 rishis (The Saptha rishis + Agastya). The Seven rishis are Gautama, Bhardwaja, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Vasistha, Kashyapa and Atri. Seven Rishis (Saptarshi) are recognized as the mind born sons of the creator Brahma. They desired offspring and received it. All present day Brahmin communities are said to be descendants of these 8 Rishis.

Over the years the number of gotras incresed due to:

  • Descendents of these Rishis also started new family lineage or new gotras (Kaundinya was a descendent of Vasihta, Vishwamitra was a descendent of Kaushika and Vatsa was a descendent of Jamadagni)

  • By inter marriage with other Brahmins

  • Inspired by a saint whose name they bear as their own Gotra.

  • New groups like Kshatriyas (who were also makers of hymns) were taken into fold by some Rishis

The lines of descent from the major rishis are originally divided into Ganas [sub divisions] and each Gana is further divided into families. However, subsequently the term gotra is frequently applied to the ganas and to the families within the ganas interchangeably.

These Rishis belonged to different sects like Shakti, Shavites and Vishnavites and had different deities for worship. Such deities came to be known as the Kuladevatas.

Gotras of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins

The gotras of GSBs is believed to be originated from the ten Rishis

Bharadwaj, Kausika, Vatsa, Kaundinya, Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Jamadagni, Gautam and Vishwamitra (Kamshi)

Importance of Gotras

The gotra system was instituted for the purposes of identifying one's ancestors and pay respects during various invocations and other rituals to honor their fathers, fore-fathers and so on, up to their respective Rishis. This was later extended to other aspects of the Brahmin life, such as Marriage and temple worship. In present days, marriage will not be allowed within the same gotra in order to avoid impure matrimony. This thinking is in tune with the modern day genetic paradigms of hybrid vigor.

Gotras, Surnames and Kuladevatas

The gotra is also interlinked with the Surnames and the Kuladevatas. An illustrative list is given below:

MAHALASA NARAYANI Bharadwaja Gothram - Pai
Athri Gothram - Pai
Kaushika Gothram - Pai
Gargya Gothram - Shenoy
Gargya Gothram - Kamath
Gargya Gothram - Bhat
Kaushika Gothram - Bhaktha
Athri Gothram - Bhat
RAMANATH SHANTHERI KAMAKSHI Vatsa Gothram - Shenoy
Vatsa Gothram - Baliga
Koundinya Gothram - Shenoy
Koundinya Gothram -Nayak
Koundinya Gothram - Pai
Koundinya Gothram - Bhat
Vatsa Gothram - Bhat
Koundinya Gothram - Kini
DAMODAR MAHALAKSMI

DAMODAR ARYADURGA

Kaushika Gothram - Prabhu
Kaushika Gothram - Kamath
Kashyap Gothram - Hegde
Kashyap Gothram - Baliga
NAGESH MAHALAKSHMI Bharadwaja Gothram - Prabhu
Vatsa Gothram - Mallya
Koushika Gothram - Nayak
KARTHYAYANI BANESHWAR Koushika Gothram - Shenoy
DEVAKI KRISHNA RAVALNATH Athri Gothram - Prabhu
Kashyapa Gothram - Prabhu
NARASIMHA SHANTHADURGA VIJAYA DURGA Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothram - Nayak
Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothram - Padiyar
Shankha Pingala Kounsa Gothram - Bhandarakar
MAHAMAYA Kondinaya Gothram - Kamath