Sree Venugopala

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Sree Venugopla Krishna Swami Dewastan is a Hindu temple located in Chendamangalam.

Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Dewasthan was established in 1900 at Chennamangalam (earlier known as Jayantha mangalam), 42 km from Ernakulam, 22 km from Alwaye and 5 km from North Parur.

Its main deity is Venugopalakrishna Swamy, and its main idol is Shila Vigrah of Venugopalakrishna Swamy. It also contains an Utsav idol of the Lord and the idols of Garuda and Hanuman at his feet. The temple celebrates a six day-long annual festival in the month of Vaisakh.

[edit] Temple History

Those Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB's) settled in Cochin spread to neighbouring suburbs and villages. Some families came and settled in Chennamangalam. Since they did not have any place of worship in the village, they had to visit the nearest temple at North Parur by foot for spiritual needs. To remedy the situtation, they joined together under Chennoth parambil Sri Dasa Prabhu and started efforts to establish a temple.

They approached the Paliayam Valiyachan of the Paliyam Swaroopam and requested help. He donated the land for construction of temple. With the liberal donations from local mahajans, the temple was constructed, and the Pratishta made on April 30, 1900. Twelve community members under the leadership of Chennoth parambil Ramachandra Prabhu started a Chitty in 1920. The generated profit was used to acquire land for the temple to meet the daily expenses. Later, in 1956, the children of Chennoth parambil Sri Dasa Prabhu formed an Endowment Trust in his name and donated 10 acres of land and Rs. 65,000 to temple on behalf of the trust. In due course, necessary constructions such as Agrasala, Anapandal, etc. were made. The temple was renovated in 1995 and the Srikovil was covered with Copper plate.

Srimat Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji had his Chaturmasya Vrita at this temple in 1973. At present there are about 100 GSB families in Chennamangalam.