Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Gosripuram is a sacred place of worship dedicated to Venkatachalapathy as its presiding deity. Its history is intricately woven with the migration of Gowda Saraswatha Brahmins from Goa to Kochi in 1568, triggered by the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire and the coercive conversions to Christianity by the Portuguese. During this migration, Swami Vijayendra Teertha of Kumbhakona Math played a crucial role by bringing the revered idol of Venkatachalapathy to Kochi. The temple's surroundings predominantly comprise households belonging to the GSB community. In 1599, recognizing the need for a safe abode for the idol, a temple was constructed, although it faced multiple plunder more attempts over the years. In 1662, the Portuguese razed the temple to the ground, but it rose from the ashes during the Dutch reign in 1663. The idol's story is not without intrigue. In 1719, it mysteriously disappeared only to be discovered later on a beach. It temporarily found refuge at the Dutch Governor's residence before being returned to the temple. In 1791, the temple fell victim to plunder once more, prompting the idol to be relocated to Alappuzha for several years. Finally, in 1853, it was brought back to its rightful place within the temple. This temple holds special significance for the Gowda Saraswata Brahmins, locally known as Konkanies, who settled in Cochin around 1560 A.D, fleeing the Portuguese mass conversion policy in Goa.
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