Chenttita Street (Thiruvananthapuram തിരുവനന്തപുരം (District))

chenthitta or chenthittai street is a small, narrow lane road with only one entrance for vehicles. the strret ends at the BHAGAVATI TEMPLE.once it was known as a brahmin street fully occupied by generations of brahmin community. but changes taken place and other community people also alowed to stay there. most of the houses are built in old fashioned traditional methods of construction folowed in those times. from the entrance door to the end the house goes a long straight line with a open center in the middle to catch the rains. old houses have double roofs and wood is used predominantly for partions, furniture etc. like changing times, the houses are modified except a few old ones which retains the old world charm. the narrow street will wake up early with the sound of bhajans from the devi mandir, the arrival of early devotees, women cleaning the front yard with water before decorating it with kolams[rangoli] tuesdays fridays are filled with devotees. during festivals like navaratri, adichevvai u can watch men women children throngining the temple in festival attire.the most surprising part is residents who lived in that street for generations attained their moksha at the lotus feet of bhagavathi amman.it will be interessting to see some strets in every cities which remain in the bygone era amidst hussle bussle of city life.

it is interesting to know about agraharam type places in this modern changing times.community living is unheard of life for this young generation. we are not even fortunate enough to know our grand parents, their love and warmth. no family connections, visits, celebrations now. when we attend a relative marraige, we stay in a hotel, show our faces on time at the function. no family gatherings, feasts, music dance like they show in some hindi films. we work, earn money and spend, most of the time we eat outside.i wonder how these villages are running?.i hope they are happy.

community living gives support, strength and safety security to the residents. all residents know each other well. they share their family problems, visit each other, gossip, attend the family functions, funerals etc. u can count their support. living in the same house for generations is unheard of now. this bond with their ancestral homes, birth place is the link unite the people. in most of the houses the furnitures, vessels, old framed photos other items remain the same at their original place for years. no shifting of things, changing address, nothing. people want to die there only. young generation may not be able to understand such things, or attachments.it is difficult to explain.

chenthittai street and its residents might be preparing for the KUMBHABHISHEHAM CEREMONY OF GODDESS BHAGHAVATHI which falls on next month. after a long time this temple is renovated. the street will be filled with devotees during the festival time. any one interested can donate for the temple.

The bhagavathi temple is the main attraction of this street. there is no official data for the construction of this temple. the temple might be old built by travancore royalty time or before that. the residents of this particular street are protected by devi. some of the residents are staying here for generations. others are new.the residents come and go according to the life cycle of birth and death;but the goddess is there, will be there til the end of the world. it is a ritual to most to visit the temple daily. when u stay near a temple i think it gives u some secure feeling. actually the word chenthitta means high ground;during heavy rains this part is never get flooded.

chenthitta street and chenthitta bhagavathi amman temple will remain till eternity.The residents are not permenent.They come and go.some might be remembered for some time.This cycle of birth and death is actually amazing,but we humans cannot accept or realise the truth.If there is no meaning in our life why all these are happenning?What purpose?no answer.

Each village has its own committee to look after the affairs of its residents, temples, festivals etc.Years back the village committee has the power to exempt the resident from its premises if some member behaved badly.The temple pandit also played a very important role in such affairs.The fear of punishment, shame are actually good, because people will be scared to break the rules.Now the unruly behaviour of the people,some prostitution rackets in some houses etc are giving a bad taste.For more rent people rent out to unscrupulous people without checking their identities.Now terrorits also play a major role our culture.Forming a village committee is very important.

chenthittai street has changed in the past few years.It was only brahmins only area once,then other caste people are allowed to stay here.Now one or two old brahmin families who are living there for a long time are still there, other houses are occupied by new owners and the whole atmosphere has changed a lot now.The bhagavati amman temple,Devi are watching the changes silently.

This is a divine place.