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).

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

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

In Commerce :

The role of the Saraswats in the commercial fields of Kerala deserves mention. It is to be noted that most of the business of Cochin and Travancore (Purakad) passed through their hands.

The trade between Konkanis and European powers figured prominently in the papers of Malabar Council. Prof. A. Das Gupta in his Malabar in Asian Trade (p. 116) writes: "Baba Prabhu, the foremost among the merchants, had almost monopolized the company’s commodities. The commanders of Malabar had treated him gently, even when his payments were not prompt. He was believed to have enough political influence to bring about a war between the Zamorin and the Dutch." Along with the Konkanies, the Jews, long settled in Malabar, had quitely followed their trade. The Rahabi family established close business links with the dominating family of Prabhus. It was on 1695 that David Rahabi, father of Ezechiel Rahabi, first appeared before the Malabarcouncil as the attorney of the great Baba Prabhu to settle Baba's outstandings accounts with the Dutch. A letter written to Baba by the Malabar council on 22^nd March 1694 begins "your Honour's esteemed letter...". This is quite typical of the letters written to Baba Prabhu, Ezechiel's father David Rahabi who had been good friend of the Prabhus had left young Ezechiel in charge of the Prabhus who had initiated the young Jew to the "mysteries of business". It was found that there had been partnership between Calaga Prabhu and Ezechiel Rahabi which started in 1752 and for several years they appeared to have undertaken several ventre together. But unfortunately gor Prabhu he was indebted to Ezechiel and at the close of the year 1670, Ezechiel took over a warehouse of Prabhu as part payment of the debt without consulting Prabhu about it. . But the governer requested Rahabi to return the keys of the warehouse to Calaba Prabhu. On his refusal, the Governer became furious and turning to Ezechiel said "you give these keys to Prabhu this days as i ordered or I shall know what to do with you" (lbid, p. 117). The keys were returned and the Rahabis kept away from the disputed warehouse till the Governer had gone and Ezechiel was dead. but on 11^th November, 1711 a sensational law suit began between the three sons ans heirs of Ezechiel Rahabi and Calaga Prabhu. Mention was there in the law suite of the names of the Konkanis who were described as prominent merchants of Cochin and who were examined as witnesses on the Rahabi's side and they are, Baba Saraf, Aloe Saraf, Bikoe Kienie and Rama Sinaiji. Calaga then entered into correspondence with the generals of Hyder Alo with the aim of humiiating the King of Cochin and the Jewish people of the town. The correspondence was detected in the nick of time. "Had I been late by couple of hours", wrote Adriaan Moens to Batavi, "he would have fled and joined Hyder's general". In the end, says Prof. A. Das Gupta, "Calaga Prabhu along with his elder son chirda Prabhu was exiled to Cape the Good Hope. Thus the last known man of this great Konkani family, whom Moens had occasion to call a "restless spirit" was one of the first Indians to settle in South Africa." (lbid, p.119).

After transportation for life, of Kaliga Prabhu by the Dutch East India Company to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa the company sold at public auction all properties of Kaliga Prabhu including the temple. The temple and the property of Kalaga were purchased by one Nagaresa and he entrusted the same to the Raja of Cochin. The Raja of Cochin by name Rama Varma (1775 - 1790 A.D.). through a Thitooram (Royal white) handed over the management of the temple of Vasukeswara to Cochin Thirumala Devaswom in the Year 1780 A.D. The thitooram inscribed in an Ola in the Malayalam era 955 M.E. preserved at Ernakulam Regional Office of the State Archives, Kerala, mentions about an annual grant made available for meeting the Pooja expenses of the Royal treasury. It was the temple that was constructed by Kalaga Prabhu with granite stones with the assistance of the Dutch. the temple is dedicated to Lord shive and worshipped under the name Vasukeswara which was renamed as Keraleswara. It is believed that the Linga of Shiva was brought by Kalaga form the shores of Rameswaram.

In the preface to the translation of Grandhavari of cochin published in 1916 mention is made of the konkanies. It says, "The Konkanies were for one thing rich, and possessed so remarkable an aptitude for mercantile business that they almost enjoyed the monopoly of all retail trade in Cochin. They also rendered substantial services of te Dutch in furthering their commercial activiies and were often employed as their chief agents or brokers. For this reason their interest were jealously watched and safeguarded by the Dutched who exercised civil and criminal jurisdiction over te Konkani "Subjects". The Batavian diary of 1678 contains excerpts from the long correspondence between two groups of Saraswat merchants; of the wo groups of merchants one was headed by Poilcar Naik and Baba Pattar , and the other group by Parimbala Naik and Waman Naik. These two groups between them monopolised the entire trade on the west coast. The 'Memorie underlines the ascendancy of the konkanies in the trade of Malabar. (Memorie of the "Secunde" Vosburge, dated 11th April 1680, of Hauge Record 719). Then names of the various merchants he mentioned are almost Konkanies. In supply of Pepper to the Dutch merchants htere was a mention of a Konkani merchant Derwa NAik of Cochin besides Ezecheil Rahabi. Also in an Ola given by Raja of Cochinto the Dutch Commander on May 18, 1666 there was reference to one Wittula Naik who was controlling the daily expenses of the Raja on Behalf of the Dutch. The vessels from Kutch & Porbandar employed the Konkani merchant Naga Prabhu as their agent at Cochin.

Ofcourse, the Konkani merchants monopolised trade in cloth too, ans they had consistently cornored all available "fanams" - the coins. "Anyone who wished to buy from the company lost 6.30 percent in dealing with the Konkani Shroff.". At the progress of the season only grey-haired Konkanies or "Banias" were considered as persons "who could tell which way the demand was likely to jump". The dyeing industry in Kerala was also bought by Baba Prabhu. The dyers were first brought from Tuticorin. In 1766, govind Pai appeared as the envoy of Hyder Ali to search for the reasures of the fugitive Zamorin in the Kingdom of Cochin. Naranna Prabhu served as an envoy from the Malabar Council to Calicut in 1784 and it was he who saw on his way the pepper vines and the snadal trees being cut down by Tippu sultan as the latter thought it was these commodities that made the Europeans to wage war on him.

Further, it was the Thirumala Devasom that helped the Raja of cochin by granting him a loan for the restoration of the Cochin territory devasted by Tipu sultan in the year 1790 A.D. The abstract of the letter, I series No. 377/1 State Archives, Ernakulam, reads "His Highness (Raja of Cochin) requests Dutch Governor's sancation for the issue of the loan from Thirumala Devasom for the restoration of the country devastated by Tippu".

Aryan -pre-saraswat connection

The Gowda Saraswat Brahmins claim their origin to the Brahmins who lived on the banks of the now extinct river Saraswati of Punjab. They derived their name from either the river Saraswati or from their spiritual leader, the Great Sage Saraswat Muni who lived on the banks of Saraswati. The exact origin of the Saraswat Brahmins is difficult to ascertain. According to Puranas, they are Aryan migrants from Central Asia who came to the Indian sub-continent through the Hindu-Kush mountains and the Khyber pass to south in about 2000-1500 B.C. The Aryans were pastoral nomads, herding cattle.

Who were the Aryans and where did they come from?
The word Aryan comes from the Sanskrit arya meaning noble. Historians believe the original home of the Aryans was in the lands south of the Ural Mountains in what is now Kirghizstan. When life became tough, because food was scarce, drop in temperature and the pressure applied by the yellow-skinned tribes in the north, the Aryans began to move away in different directions. Some went to Greece, some to Iran, and some to Afghanistan. From the eastern front some groups moved to India. The whole process of migration took place between 2000 to 1500 BC. They entered India from the north west and initially settled in the land between the tributaries of the River Indus. There were more than 1200 such settlements of migrants.

Many of them settled along the banks of Saraswati river. They settled to an agrarian life, supplemented by cattle grazing. These settlers along the banks of Saraswati river came to be known as Saraswats.

As time went on, the aryan settlers went south and east along the river valleys and occupied the land between the Himalayas in the north and the Vindhyas in the south. This land, the land of the Aryans, came to be called Aryabarta.

The Aryan settlements in Indus region

The coming of Aryans marks the beginning of a historic period in India. Between the decline of Harappan civilization 1500 BC and 500 BC is a "dark" period about which little is known.

Gsb &sb Surnames

The Gowda saraswat Brahmins wherever they migrated mingled with the local people, but kept their identity by their Surnames even today. The most popular surname among GSBs is Shenoy which is derived from the word Shenvis which was used to refer to the Saraswats originally settled in Goa in 96 settlements.

The surnames of GSBs are mainly two types.
The village names of Gomantak where they settled originally or migrated: This practice is prevalent among Rajapur saraswats. They have surnames like Bandivadekar, Madkaikar, Borkar, Sakhalkar, Haldwanekar, Chimbalkar, Navelkar, Marathe, Lotlikar, Salwankar, Karlekar, Burake, Bhagav, Tendulkar, Patkar, Juvale, Dhonde, Shinkar, Shendre, Bokade, Takur, Gawade, Potkar, Askekar, Shenai, Gavalkar, Shembekar, Lanjolkar etc. which are the original local village names of Gomantak. The word 'Kar" means "From" or citizen of. Thus kakodkar means person from village kakod. This enabled one to identify the profession and the domicile.
Surnames indicating the profession adopted by the Saraswats like Pai, Purohit, Nayak etc.
Shenoy :Originaly for the Shenvis in Goa. Since most of them took up Administrative jobs they were called Shanbhags (clerks) which later became Shenoy.
Pai :Pai in Konkani language means foot or leg. The common person who had not amassed wealth or power was known as Pai.Their job was menial in maintaining ledgers and doing odd jobs. The Pai who was mainly ledger keepers.
Kamathi :Those in agriculture were called Kamathi. Mathi means soil and Kama is work, that is working in soil ( Kama + Mathi). Later this became Kamath.
Kini : Those who cultivated herbs were Kinvis, presently called Kini or Keni.
Vaidya :Thos who prepared the concoction was prepared and dispensed it.
Hegde :The animals required for tilling, transportation and other works were under Haya- Gade (actually Horse tenderer), modernized to Hegde.
Nayak, Rao: Those worked as Army commandants were called Nayaks. Some Nayaks who were honoured by the King with titles like Ravubahadur adopted Rao as their Surname.
Baliga:The daily requirements of every family for survival, presentations, etc were the responsibility of the Ballo. There is another theory that the foot soldier with a spear was called Ballo. The soldier Ballo (Baliga) was under the command of Nayak.
Prabhu :Feudal lords called themselves Prabhu. He lived in a palatial home called mahal, and the caretaker was known as Mahalyar, presently modernized to Mallya.
Bhat :The poojas in the big temple and its rituals were under Acharya, and in small temples conducted by Bhat. Every family had exclusive priest to perform the rites, and he was the family Purohit and was called Vadhyar.
Mahajan :The temples were administered by Mahajans.
Bhakta:Doing odd jobs in temples and poojas.
Bhandarkar :Stores and godown keepers were called Bhandari or Bhandarkar.
Nadkarni, Kulkarni: A person maintaining statistics was called Karni. Land was called Nadu, and the person maintaining land records was known as Nadkarni, and Kulkarni maintained census, and social register.

Today the name has no links with the profession. However the GSBs still retain their Surnames down the generations.