About Chendamangalam

Chendamangalam is an amazing little town that consists of hillocks, three rivers, green pastures and seven inlets. The town is situated in the Paravur taluk of Ernakulam district, Kerala. Tourists travelling to Cochin also visit Chendamangalam to have a glimpse of the breathtaking Palace of Paliam. It was the official home of Paliath Achans and they were the prime ministers of the former Maharajahs of Kochi which was the meeting place of cultural diversity. The palace is the symbol of sheer architectural splendor.

The Paliath Palace dates back to 450 years but still holds a wide array of historical documents as well as relics. Whoever visits Chendamangalam will also visit Kottayil Kovilakom, the hillock and the uniqueness of the place is that it is the common place for temple, mosque, church and also has the remnant of Jewish synagogue and all these complex system of beliefs are situated within a kilometer. In AD 1614, the synagogue of Jewish was constructed and the precinct at the back of the synagogue has former Jewish graves which include the grave of Jewish lady as well and it dates back to 1264 AD. After Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews migrated to Chendamangalam in 69 AD and had found a dominion here. Following the major flood in 1341 AD, they settled down in Fort Kochi. The remnants of existence of Jewish could be found on all the sides of Chendamangalam even today from the synagogue which consists of traditional features of Jewish architecture. Vypeenakotta Seminary for Syrians was constructed by the Portuguese in 16th century and the tourists will find the remains of the same even today. Next to seminary is the Church of Syrian Catholic that was established in 1201.

Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Dewasthan, the popular Hindu temple, was built here in 1900 AD. Previously, the temple was called as Jayantha Mangalam. Venugopalakrishna Swami is the main deity. During the month of Vaisakh, an annual festival is celebrated for six days. This temple is the major attraction for both tourists as well as locals.

Apart from the Paliath Palace, the town also comes with many temples, churches and mosques which attract pilgrims as well as tourists from far and near. Some of the temples in Chendamangalam town are Paliam Dewaswom, Kunnathu Tali temple and Arankavu temple and churches like Church of Mar Sleeva at Kottayil Kovilakkam, St Sebastian’s at Gothuruth, Little Flower Church at Kuttukad and Chendamangalam is also famous for Juma Masjid.

Chendamangalam is also renowned for tourists’ attractions such as Paliam Palace and temples which attract the tourists throughout the year. Let’s find more about them.

Sree Venugopala Krishna Swamy Dewasthan is the Hindu temple situated in Chendamangalam in Kerala. This temple came into existence in 1900 at Chendamangalam which was then called Jayantha Mangalam. Venugopalakrishna Swamy is the main deity of the temple. The idol is in the form of Shila Vigrah. Apart from the main idol, the temple has the Lord’s Utsav idol and also idols of Hanuman and Garuda at the feet. During the month of Vaisakh, annual festival which spans into six days is celebrated at the temple.

This temple was built by Saraswat Gaud Brahmins who settled down in Cochin and spread to the neighbouring villages and suburbs. Some of them settled in Chendamangalam. In Chendamangalam, there was no temple and the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins had to go by foot to the temple in North Parur. So, they initiated necessary efforts to construct a temple under the guidance of Chennoth Parambil Sri Dasa Prabhu. They also approached for the help of Valiyachan of Paliyam, who is also Paliyam Swaroopam who donated land for the construction of the temple. The donations received liberally from the local mahajans helped in the construction of the temple and the Prathishta was made on 30th April 1900. Chennoth Parambil Ramachandra Prabhu led from the front and, in 1920, twelve of the community members established Chitty and they bought the necessary land from the profit made, and the income generated from the land is used in meeting daily expenses of the temple. Chennoth Parambil Sri Dasa Prabhu’s children formed an Endowment Trust in 1956. They donated cash of Rs 65,000/- and land of 10 acres on account of their trust to the temple. This helped in the further constructions like Anapandal,  Agrasala, etc. In 1995, the temple underwent renovation and copper plate was laid to Sri Kovil. At this temple, Srimat Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji performed his Chaturmasya Vrita in 1973.