Pendikars is a close-knit family with their Tharavadu (Ancestral House) at Sankarasseri Madom, Chittoor Road, Opp. Sree Sudheendra Medical Mission, Ernakulam. When searching for the information to create a family tree, we could go as back as only 17th century.
Recorded information says Gowda Saraswath Brahmins OR Konkanis, Konkani language (then only vocal language) speaking community, residents of Goa migrated to Kochi (then Cochin) in 1294 AD during the reign of Aladdin Khilji . But major migration was in 1506 AD, during Portuguese reign, when forceful conversion to Christianity was rampant. To avoid conversion many Konkani families from Goa fled to southern sates by sea route leaving behind everything they have except their worshiping Ishta Devata, Sri Lakshmi Venkatesha.
Ancestors of Pendikars also might have migrated during this period and landed in Vypeen, an island in Arabian Sea near Kochi. But no records are available about the ancestors from 15th to 16th century. From information collected, Sri. Janardhana Shenoy (Sr.) migrated to Ernakulam from Vypeen in 17th century.
The name Pendikar derived from the first family business (oil cake), started at Broadway, Ernakulam, taken on a lease from T. D. Temple, Ernakulam by Sri. Yogya Shenoy, son of Sri. Janardhana Shenoy (Sr). Oil cake in Konkani language is ‘Pendi’ and ‘Pinnakku’ in Malayalam, local language in Kerala State. So the family members were known as Pendikar in Konkani and Pinnakkukar in Malayalam.
The Kuladevatha of Pendikars is Sri Ramnath Shantheri Kamakshi, and Ishta Devatha, Sri Lakshmi Venkatesha. Pendikars belong to Vatsa Gotra (Maharshi Parashurama as ancestor). The Saligrama (Krishna / Sandana Gopala) & a Sudarshana Chakra were brought from Goa by the ancestors was kept for Pooja at the Tharavadu. The Poojas were performed by Sri Janardhana Shenoy (Sr.) earlier. It was worshipped by four generations, till the death of Sri Divakara Shenoy. It was handed over to Badra - Narasimha Temple, T. D. Road, Ernakulam in 1994. Pendikars are followers of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi.
Besides these, for the prosperity of the family, three more deities were installed in Sankarasseri Madom – Naga Yakshi, Namboothiri & Bhagavathy. There are Saligrama (Madana Gopala) & Sudarshana are worshipped still by the decedents of Sri Narayana Shenoy & is presently kept at the residence of Sri Gopal Shenoy.
Sri Janardhana Shenoy & Sri Yogya Shenoy migrated from Vypeen and were living at Sankarasseri Madom in a thatched house at the southern end of the compound. The plot was registered in 1917 AD, as per the document displayed elsewhere in the web site
Later this was demolished and a newhouse tiled was constructed in the northern central portion, where later, Sri Janardhana Shenoy (Jr.) with his children stayed. Sri Narayana Shenoy constructed similar house in the central portion of the southern side. Vamana Shenoy & his sons shifted to another house at T. D. Road, near Pookkaran Mukku (Flower Junction).
Sri Narayana Shenoy, his sons Sri Ranganatha Shenoy & Sri Sreenivas Shenoy were committee members at the temple.