Amidst the tumultuous period of Portuguese oppression in Cochin, significant idols were relocated for their safety. The revered Venkateswara idol, along with those of Lakshmi Devi from the Cochin Gosripuram temple and Narasimha Moorthi from Thuravoor temple, found refuge in the Alappuzha Venkatachalapathy Temple, commonly known as the Old Tirumala Temple. These sacred idols remained ensconced in the North Agrasala of the temple for over six decades. The presence of these divine idols is believed to have catalyzed Alappuzha's growth as a bustling hub for trade and commerce, elevating its stature as a pivotal seaport. As political dynamics shifted and Cochin came under new leadership, the reigning more Raja of Cochin sought the return of the treasured idol. However, witnessing Alappuzha's prosperity attributed to the idol's presence, the Maharaja of Travancore declined the request, ensuring enhanced security for the Venkatachalapathy idol. The Maharaja envisioned a dedicated temple for the idol and, with Deevan Krishna Rao's assistance, secured land and resources for its construction. Consequently, a new temple emerged approximately 1 km south of the original Thirumala Temple, christened Anantha Narayana Puram by the Maharaja. Over time, the name transitioned from the initially proposed Akhanda Narayana Puram, aligning with the royal temple of Anantha Padmanabha in Thiruvananthapuram. In 1852 A.D., under the auspices of Srimad Bhuvanendra Tirtha Swamiji of Kashi Math, the idols of Venkatachalapathy, Lakshmi Devi, and Narasimha Murthi were ceremoniously transferred to the new temple. However, a clandestine manoeuvre saw the Venkatachalapathy idol spirited away to Cochin on the fateful night of February 7, 1853. Concealed within a basket veiled by Naivedyam (Mooleepu), the idol was discreetly transported via country boat through Aroor, marking its return beyond Travancore's jurisdiction. The inhabitants of Alappuzha discovered the idol's absence only the following morning, rendering them helpless. Nevertheless, the Lakshmi Devi and Narasimha Murthi idols from Thuravoor remain ensconced in the temple's sanctum. In 1933 A.D., a replacement Venkatachalapathy idol was consecrated within this revered temple under the guidance of Srimad Varadendra Tirtha.