Established in 1565 A.D. by the Azheekkal Yogakkars (G. S. Brahmins of Vypeen), the Azheekal Shree Varaha Temple is a symbol of devotion and resilience. Swami Yadavendra Tirtha, the first Pontiff of Shri Kashi Mutt, performed the Pratishta (installation of the deity). Believed to be the first GSB temple in the Travancore-Cochin area, it is situated on Vypeen Island, approximately 25 km from Cochin City. Accessible by road via the Gosree bridges or by boat from High Court Jetty or Fort Cochin, the temple is about 100 meters from Cherai Junction. The temple's presiding deity is Sree Varaha Moorthy. Additionally, more Sree Venkatachalapathy, accompanied by Lakshmi Devi and Bhoomi Devi, is also installed in the Srikovil (sanctum sanctorum). The deities Sree Varaha and Sree Venkateswara are worshipped as a single moorthy (idol). Sub-temples dedicated to Hanuman, Ganapati, Mahalaxmi, and Garuda are positioned at the four corners of the nalambalam (temple courtyard). The Gowda Saraswat Brahmins (GSB), descendants of Saraswata Maharshi, originally inhabited Punjab. Forced to migrate due to drought and famine along the Sarasvati River, many moved to Kashmir and Bihar. Sage Parasurama later brought them to Goa, where they thrived until successive invasions by Alavuddin Khilji, Mohammed Ghazni, and the Bijapur Sultan. The Portuguese conquest of Goa in 1510 and subsequent expulsion orders by King Joao III in 1559 A.D. led to further migration. Many GSBs sought refuge in Karnataka and Kerala. One such family, the Kastoori family, settled in Azheekal. Historical records suggest that some GSB members had already reached Cochin for trade and commerce by the early 13th century. These Brahmins brought their Kuladevatas (family deities) and established temples to preserve their religion and culture. Krishna Prabhu, a wealthy merchant of the Kasyapa Gotra, was instrumental in establishing the temple. Possessing idols of Sri Varaha and Sri Vithoba, he temporarily installed them at Azheekal. Over time, Sri Varaha became the community's Gramadeva (village deity). Krishna Prabhu acquired land from the Paliyath Achans to construct godowns and a new temple. In 1565, Shrimad Yadavendra Tirtha Swamiji, the first Pontiff of Sri Kashi Mutt Samsthan, visited Azheekal. He consecrated the temple, solidifying its importance. However, frequent sea erosions and floods necessitated relocating the temple. In 1723, a flood caused the loss of the Sri Varaha idol, prompting the creation of new Panchaloha (five-metal alloy) idols. One of these idols is still present in the current temple at Cherai. The temple received extensive land and property donations from 32 Yogakkar families for its maintenance. Fresh management rules were established in 1832 in the presence of the Maharaja of Cochin and the Paliyath Achan. Although the temple was gutted by fire in 1857, it was promptly reconstructed and renovated. Today, the Azheekal Shree Varaha Temple stands as a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of the GSB community, preserving their rich heritage and traditions for future generations.