Ernakulathappanu Oru Adi Mannu

One foot land for Ernakulathappan

This is a rare opportunity for the devotees of Ernakulathappan to perform " Bhoomisamarpana" - offering land to Lord Shiva.

Details of the Land : Krishnavilasam Palace Ground.

The Land measuring about 3.15 acres lying adjacent to Ernakulam Shiva Temple was formerly owned by the Royal family of Cochin. Consequent upon the abolition of the Royal Rule, the palace and the land came under the custody of Palace Administration Board, which decided to sell the land. The land was divided into two and an area measuring 1.25 acres was then purchased by the Corporation of Cochin. Their intention was to construct a multistoried building complex there. Since situated very near to the temple, this action of the Corporation of Cochin drew stiff opposition from the devotees. When public agitation intensified, the Honorable High Court of Kerala acting upon a set of petitions stayed the construction of the Building Complex. The remaining portion of the land was later acquired – purchased by Cochin Devaswom Board which is the custodian and owner of the temple.

Since the past twenty years, Ernakulam Kshetra Kshema Samithi had been trying various methods to acquire the land owned by the Corporation of Cochin. It was felt that for the successful completion of the envisaged developmental activities of the temple, the above mentioned land is highly essential.

After series of discussions with the Cochin Devaswom Board and the Corporation of Cochin, the Samithi could prevail upon them the need for purchasing the land. A sale consideration of Rs. 3.75 crores for the above area was fixed. Cochin Devaswom Board, a body formed by the Kerala Government to administer the affairs of about 400 temples in the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad expressed their inability to mobilise fund for the purchase of the land. On an information that some Bombay based builders were planning to purchase the land, the Samithi, which has been functioning all these years for the development of this ancient temple could not keep away from its responsibility. It came forward to assist the Cochin Devaswom Board and decided to embark upon the challenging task of acquiring this land knowing fully well the financial implications and huge commitments. The primary objective was to prevent the transfer of land to forces that are detrimental to the interests of the temple. For raising the required fund of Rs. 3.75 crores, Samithi launched a noble scheme called Bhusamarppana Padhathi ( Land Endowment Scheme), a scheme which envisages an act of offering a minimum of one foot land to Lord Ernakulathappan. As per the scheme which has been approved by High Court of Kerala, devotees, public trusts, organisations, institutions get an opportunity to become participants to this great event, rarest of its kind, in offering to Lord Parameswara a certain area of land as Kanikka.

It is gratifying to note that the scheme is greeted well by the devotees and the Samithy has so far collected an amount of Rs. 2.75 crores through this scheme. The amount has already been given to the Corporation of Cochin as part payment. Samithi knows very well that the amount to be collected is substantial. But we are sure that with the active co-operation of God-fearing devotees of Lord Shiva who reside in all parts of the world, the long cherished desire of the devotees will be fulfilled.

Projects visualised on the land

Once the land is purchased, Samithy proposes to develop the land in a manner that is conducive to the atmosphere of the temple. Various activities are proposed to be taken up in this land for the enjoyment of the future generation of this great religion. These include:

1. Centre for vedic studies.

2. Research studies on Hinduism and Culture and temple rituals.

3. Construction of Auditorium – Prayer Hall.

4. Activities connected with Indian Art and Culture.

5. Humanitarian activities for old people.

6. A library and reading room for Puranic Books and other books of ancient times.

7. Schools for teaching temple arts and temple percussion instruments ie. Kshetra Vaadyangal.

8. Museum of Indian Performing Arts.

9. Conducting seminars, symposiums and organizing meetings based on Sanathana Dharma and Indian Culture.

 Samithy visualises that it would be possible for it to achieve these plans with the wholehearted co-operation and involvement of the public at large.

 The name of Ernakulam itself, it may be remembered, has its origin from the Lord Ernakulathappan. We, therefore humbly request you to involve yourself and participate in this great Yagna by donating liberally under the Bhoosamarpana Scheme. We also humbly request you to encourage and prompt your relatives and friends to participate in this scheme and be blessed the Lord Ernakulathappan.

Bhoosamarpana Scheme Coupons

Approximate area of land : 76,000 feet

One Aiswarya Hundika in every Shiva Devotee's Home

 This scheme, with a pious slogan - One Aiswarya Hundika in every Shiva Devotee's Home was launched with a view to make total participation of every devotee in the "Bhoomisamarpanna" according to their might. Each devotee can have a hundika from the counter functioning inside the temple, free of cost, which may be taken home to keep in the prayer room and return the Hundika to the same counter when it is filled, as early as possible. The Hundika will be opened in the presence of the devotee, and he will be favored with an official receipt for the amount received. The amount thus received will go to the land endowment scheme Ernakulathappanu Oru Adi Mannu.