Preamble: It is a well-known and established fact that Gauda Saraswat Brahmins have migrated from the banks of river Saraswathi in Punjab to Mithila Desa, formerly ruled by the great King Janaka. Most of them settled in a place called Trihotrapura forming north eastern part of the present Bihar State, which was then known as Gauda Desa. Later a number of GSBS belonging to different Gotras or clans were invited by Parasurama to Gomantak (present Goa) for performing and sanctifying the place with Vedic rituals, rites and their knowledge. It is said that they settled initially in 66 localities (Sasashti), and a later batch in more 30 more colonies (Tiswadi) due to which the entire area came to be known as Shah-Navi or Shenvi (meaning 96). It is only logical that the GSB settlers in Goa also came to be called as Shenvis collectively. Still later, many GSBS who took up business as occupation started migrating to western coasts of Karnataka and Kerala. A bigger chunk initiated an exodus to the Konkan area owing to the unbearable atrocities from Portuguese rulers. The migrants carried with them their worshipping deities, known as Ishta Devatas and Kuladevatas, cultural ethos, practising customs, and most importantly their identity - Konkani as mother tongue. Despite the passing of over five centuries since the historical migration, the GSB community still carries forward their heritage and traditional values including duties of worshipping their respective family deities or Kuladevatas. Temples have been constructed in different GSB settlements. While some of these temples were built for Ishta Devatas, some others were to worship Kuladevatas. Devotees of Kuladevatas cherish the welfare and progress of their families and community at large. Due to the long distance to the places of Kuladevata temples situated in Konkan and Goa, the GSB community in Kerala found it inconvenient to frequently visit the temples. Their Dharmaguru Srimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji, the Pontiff of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, emphasised the significance of worshipping the Kuladevatas. The long-cherished ambition of Swamiji Initiated the construction of Sri Kuladevata Mandir Complex in Ambalamedu in order to facilitate befitting worship of the Kuladevatas and augment the blessings obtained thereby. Eight Temples: Eight Kuladevatas were identified based on the Gotras of the GSB community in Kerala, for being housed in the designated temple complex. Accordingly, a beautiful temple complex of eight structures was constructed, and doors were opened for worship in the midst of Vedic recitals, devotional songs and in reverberation of holy chanting of divine names during the auspicious Muhurtam in 28 February 1994. The Kuladevatas in Goa and Konkan area lay scattered but here they could all be accommodated in one complex, which is situated in the eleven acres of the land lying adjacent to Sri Kashi Math Complex of Ambalamedu. Sri Kashi Math Complex, consisting of Balakashram and Vridhashram, is also situated in the adjacent plot. The other side is occupied by the Sri Sudhindra College of Nursing, which is attached to Sri Sudhindra Medical Mission Hospital. By virtue of its elevantion, the site is highly qualified for Temple- construction. The temples that came up in the Complex have the following deities: 1. Sri MahaGanapathi, 2. Sri Lakshmi Narayana-Mahamaya- Aryadurga-Navadurga- Shantadurga-Katyayani-Narasimha, 3. Sri Damodar 4. Sri Ramanath Shanteri Kamakshi, S. Sri Mahalasa Narayani, 6. Sri Mahalakshmi, 7. Sri Nagesh-Baneshwar and 8. Sri Devaki Krishna-Rewalnath. Though the temple style is not ostentatious it is a fusion of different schools of architecture: a blend of North Indian and South Indian shades of temple craft found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the Gothic style brought in by the colonialists and the facade of Jain and Buddhist Viharas. The difficult topography had been tamed through split- level planning. Coconut palms aplenty swing their heads in unison to wafts of western and eastern winds. With well-manicured greenery amidst 210 sylvan surroundings, the shrines blend into the picturesque setting. Tapovan: The architects of the Kuladevata Mandir complex have quite thoughtfully and tastefully included a garden also within the complex. The architectural and construction works were done by Yasoram Builders under the leadership of A.R.S. Vadhyar. The garden nurtures Tulsi, Athi (Ficus-Racemosa), Ithi (Ficus-Benjamina), Arayal (Ficus-Religious), Peraal (Ficus-Bengalensis), Ashokam, Champakam, Parijatham, Elanji etc. thus providing flowers and leaves essential for temple rituals; a sort of self- reliance in floral offerings. All this makes a visitor feel like in a Tapovan ("Pallithaamam') or royal-cum-holy groves which have always been an integral part of Mahaakshethras in ancient and medieval Kerala. The pagoda of Devaki Krishna Temple is the tallest at 16 mts above the ground level and the next is that of Maha Ganapati temple at 14 mts. The basements are designed as cellars and there is a Pradakshin path for circumambulation of the deities. Idols are made out of Krishna Shila (Black granite). Marble flooring adds to the lustre of the temples. Dwara Palakaas as mentioned in scriptures, viz. Gopakumara, Pushti, Thrishti Nandi, Shringi, Jaya-Vijayas et-al project the attention given to minute details. There is a special enclosure for Navagrahas as well. The pull of the place is so magnetic that even atheists will be tempted to appreciate and overstay their very first visit to the Sri Kula Devata Mandir Complex at Ambalamedu. Indeed, it has got a made-to-order setting for pilgrimage, retreat and meditation. History lies entwined with tradition here. Gauda Saraswat Brahmins are reputed of being proficient in the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and scriptures and they were famous for Karmashuddhi. The rulers of ancient India made their presence mandatory at Yagnyas and many have received honorific titles. Festivals: Some important festival days are regularly celebrated at Sri Kuladevata Mandir Complex. Devotees gather in larger numbers and Special Poojas and Sevas are offered to the presiding deities on special festivals. The important festival days observed here are Ganesh Chaturthi, Maha Sivaratri, Navaratri, Deepavali and Sri Krishna Jayanti. Pratishta Vardhanti or Anniversary, which falls in February, is also celebrated as a special festival day in the Mandir Complex. The Temple complex Location: Ambalamedu is situated at about 15km from Ernakulam town and is about 5 km from Tripunithura. One can have regular city buses plying between Ernakulam and Ambalamedu. The complex is next to the Sree Varadendra Balakasram at Ambalamedu. Tripunithura Railway Station on the Ernakulam- Tiruvananthapuram line is the nearest railhead. However, both Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town Railway Stations are easily accessible. Cochin International Airport (Nedumbassery) is the nearest airport.