I. The Unique Genesis

The history of the Sree Krishnaswamy Temple stands as a distinctive chapter in the annals of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs). Unlike the revered shrines built by ancestors who migrated with their sacred deities to preserve their culture, this temple was founded for a profoundly personal, transformative reason: the redemption of a cursed lineage.

The wealthy Perumbilli Kamath family, a settled GSB household, was afflicted by Brahmahathya Shapa (Curse for killing a Brahmin), rendering them childless. The family head - Giri Kamath decided to consult an astrologer. Astrological guidance revealed the path to peace: they must consecrate a Vaishnava temple. Driven by this divine directive, the consecration of Lord Vishnu in the form of Sree Rajagopala Krishnaswamy with His consorts, Rukmini and Satyabhama carved from the dark, sacred Krishnashila stone was performed with full Vedic rites by scholars Shri Govinda Bhat and Cherai Shri Madhava Bhat on the auspicious day of Kollavarsham 1024, Edavam 13 (May 24, 1849), on Makayiram star. Following this, the family was blessed with children, confirming the power of divine intervention.

Sree Rajagopala Krishnaswamy with His consorts, Rukmini and Satyabhama

II. The Guardian of the Lamp and Community's Embrace

24 years later, in 1048 ME, the Kamaths handed over the temple to the local GSB community. The community took over governance, but after thirteen years, the meager income strained the committee, forcing them to concede their inability to continue.

It was here that Sri Janardhana Bhat, the brother of the main priest, stepped forward, becoming the temple's unofficial guardian. He accepted the key of the Sree Kovil and, for eight years, sustained the sacred space with his own funds. Under his care, the Utsava Vigraham (Processional Deity) in Panchaloha was consecrated in Kollavarsham 1064.

Realizing the burden on Sri Bhat, the community committee resumed governance in Kollavarsham 1069, collecting donations to run the temple.

III. Rebirth and the Pillars of Devotion

In 1093 ME, destiny called for a grand reconstruction when the top of the Sree Kovil (sanctum sanctorum) was damaged. A new committee headed by Sri P. V. Janardhana Mallan as the president and Sri S. N. Govinda Prabhu as the secretary sought the advice of the renowned astrologer, Valiya Kochunni Thampuran of Kodungallur Kovilakam, who commanded that a mere repair would not suffice. He emphatically decreed that the entire Sree Kovil must be demolished and reconstructed according to the precise Shastraic specifications to restore the full Divine glory and ensure the welfare of the community.

The sacred image was temporarily moved to the Balalayam in 1095 ME. The Nidhikalasham for the new temple was placed by our revered Swamiji - HH Shrimath Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji in Kollavarsham 1097. The work proceeded with the blessings of His Holiness Shrimath Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji, Mathadhipathi of the Sri Kashimath Samsthan, taking six years to complete.

The magnificent reconstruction of the Sree Kovil and virtually all the parts of the temple including Nalambalam, Ganapathy Kovil, Paakashaala, Agrashaalas, Aanapanthal, Paarshvamandapams, Namaskara Mandapams and Gopuram was completed, and the Punaprathishta (re-consecration) was performed by HH Shrimath Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji in 1928 AD, May 21 (1103 ME), Edavam 13, a date chosen to align with the original consecration day. The temple has received continuous spiritual support. In 1957 AD, HH Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, Mathadhipathi of the Samsthan, chose the premises to observe their first Chaturmasa Vritham (the four-month vow of monastic life) in the state of Kerala. The Shashtyabdhi Poorthi Mahotsavam (60th Anniversary) of the re-consecration was celebrated in 1988, in the holy presence of Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji. Swamiji also gave the community the privilege of organizing their very first Vyasolsav in 1989 on this blessed land.

IV. Governance

Since 1937 AD (1113 ME), the temple has been managed by a five-member committee, elected from the community for three-year periods, ensuring its continued prosperity and upkeep.

V. Punaprathishta Navathy Mahotsav 2018

The Punaprathishta Navathy Mahotsav of Sree Rajagopala Krishnaswamy was a celebration that will be cherished forever, attributed to the divine blessings of Sri Hari and Guru. The desire to celebrate the Navathy Mahotsavam grandly in May 2018 was a deeply held wish of the community, inspired by Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji's presence during the Shashtyabdhi Poorthi celebrations, which was a source of prosperity.

The Devaswom Committee decided on celebrating the Navathy Mahotsavam in May 2018 during a meeting on July 27, 2016. Temple office-bearers and the Thantri, Brahmashree Vinod Bhat, visited HH Shrimath Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji who were observing Chaturmasa Vritham at Sree Venkataramana Temple in Kanhangad. Swamiji directed that the festival be conducted with a Sahasrakalashabhishekam, considering the Samaj's prosperity.

Swamiji later directed that the Sahasrakalashabhishekam be performed on the re-consecration day, May 17, 2018. The eight-day Mahotsavam schedule was finalised during a meeting with Swamiji in March 2018, and they expressed confidence in the successful completion through the grace of Sri Hari-Guru.

A significant preparation involved Theertha-Mrithika Sangrahanam, which is collection of water from India's sacred rivers and soil from holy cities. A dedicated team including the Thantri, Brahmashree Vinod Bhat, and Melshanti A.K Ramachandra Vadhyar departed from the temple on September 30, 2017 (Vijayadashami), after the evening Mangalarathi. They traversed about twenty states, overcoming adverse weather and difficult routes, returning on October 28 after a 28-day journey, receiving a warm welcome from the community.

The Punaprathishta Day on May 17, 2018 commenced at 4:00 AM with Upodayana Prarthana and Mantrajapam. The Sahasrakalashabhishekam was performed by Swamiji around 8:30 AM, following which a Gold Dashavatara Haara (Necklace) was offered to the Lord by them, followed by other ceremonies including Mahavishnu Sanidhyahavanam, Rajata Pallaku (Silver Palanquin) Samarpanam and Pooja, and Samaaradhana. The Mahotsavam concluded on May 18, 2018 with Samaaradhana in the divine presence of Swamiji, where Samajbandhavs participated and felt blessed.

HH Shrimath Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji in our temple during the Punaprathishta Navathy Mahotsav

Sahasra Kalashabhishekam of the Lord being performed by HH Shrimath Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji

VI. Recent Milestones of Spiritual and Physical Renewal

Continuing this legacy of dedication, the temple pond was recently restored, a vital project made possible by the contribution from Sri S J Purushottama Prabhu.

Furthermore, the community was blessed to witness a moment of profound spiritual significance: the holy Paduka sthapana (consecration of the sacred sandals) of the padukas of HH Shrimath Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji and HH Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji on May 7, 2023, by HH Shrimath Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji, reaffirming the temple's enduring link to the spiritual lineage of the Kashimath Samsthan.

The two sets of Padukas were gifted to the temple by the family of Sri Nagendra Hari Bhat from Gosripuram, Cochin - who received them directly from the holy hands of both the Swamijis on the very same day in February 1949, in consideration for their devoted service to the Samsthan. Since then, daily prayers and Arathi was performed by the family till the date the Padukas were handed over.

HH Shrimath Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji performing the Arathi during the Paduka Sthapana