Kozhencherry
is a small town about 16 KM east of Thiruvalla and about 15 km from Chengannur. The gsb
temple here is small compared to Alleppey or Kottayam. This temple is about 280 years old.
The temple is located in the heart of the town, on a side road opposite to the bus stand
and at the back side of the prominant Rukmini-Satyabama shopping complex owned by
the temple. The temple complex is on the eastern bank of the sacred river pamba. The
temple and prathista is facing east.
The main prathista is panchaloha vigraha of Sree Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabama. The utsav idol is
Balamurali standing in front of the cow. |
The main gopuram (shopping
complex on left side)
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There are idols of Lakshmi devi, Hanuman and Garuda placed within
the srikovil. There are sub temples of Nagaraja Nagayakshi and Brahmarakhas at the north
eastern corner of the main temple.
The original temple (an old pic)
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Nalambalam & Srikovil (Anapandal
on the left)
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History
& temple details click for photo gallery
The temple was established about 280 years back
by the Thottumadathil family who migrated from Alleppey. Initially the pooja at the
temple was done by members of the family themselves. Later when the family members could
not continue it regularly, a poojari was brought from Thuravoor and settled here to attend
the temple pooja affairs. The bhat family house is next to the temple (see sketch
below).
The temple was later offered to the community
members and a committee was formed for management of the temple. Due to legal battle with
tenants and difference of opinion among the committee members the affairs of the temple
was neglected. The temple was later taken over by the Alleppey Ananthanarayanapuram
Thuravoor Tirumala Devasowm (AATTD). Since the temple is in a prime locality, a shopping
complex named after Rukmini-Satyabama was constructed covering two sides of the temple and
rented out, strengthening financial position of the temple.
1. Srikovil
2. Nagaraja and Nagayakshi
3. Brahma Rakshas
4. Kalyana mandapam & Hall
5. Main gate
6. Bus stand
7. The Bhat family house
Sketch not to scale
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8. The Rukmini Satyabama shopping complex
(view from main road - the arrow points to side road to temple) |
Renovation and Punaprathista
The temple was facing many hardships and a
Devaprasnam was conducted on 23-02-2004. Accordingly, renovation work was conducted and
punaprathista done on 22-05-2004. The Rajagopuram was also inaugurated on the same
occasion.
About
Kozhencherry
Located 13 km from Pathanamthitta on the banks of
River Pamba, Kozhencherry is an
affluent Christian centre and part of NRI belt covering Thiruvalla, Kumbanad, Kalloopara
and Pathanamthitta. This a taluk headquarters in Pathanamthitta district and is enroute to
the famous pilgrim centre Sabarimala which is about 85 km away.
 The place is
famous for the Maramon
Convention held in Feb-March every year on the dry river bed of river Pamba. This is
the biggest religious congregation of Christians in Asia and the second biggest in the
world. The first convention was in 1896 A.D.  Christians from all over India assemble here to listen to
the gospels by scholars. About 100,000 christians attend the
convention. Maramon and Kozhencherry are separated by river Pamba and connected by a 500
feet concrete bridge built across the river.
 The famous Parthasarathi
temple of Aranmula is about 3 km to the west of Kozhencherry bridge. The idol is
believed to be erected by Arjuna. The annual commemoration of the installation of the
deity falls on the last day of the Onam Festival. As part of this celebration, the
Arunmula boat race is held on this day.
 Aranmula is also famous for its
hand-made metal mirrors (a unique art which is not found any where else in the world) made
of metal. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a window of this village
to discover a mysterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bright into crystal clear
mirror.
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