In September 1750, Devasahayam was transported from Thiruvananthapuram to the capital, Padmanabhapuram, in a procession involving a buffalo. Puttari records Devasahayam’s heartfelt declaration of readiness to die for Jesus.
As days passed, onlookers were moved to tears by his plight. Upon arriving in Padmanabhapuram, Devasahayam faced a cruel punishment: he was placed inside a massive limekiln. After a prolonged time, the authorities searched for him, presuming he had perished. Yet, they found him kneeling, praising the Lord. Puttari attributes these miracles to Devasahayam’s humble prayers, noting, “Officially wed; a man of historical lineage; three hours in the unjust kiln…”
Following this ordeal, Devasahayam was imprisoned again in Travancore. Gnanappu’s mother lived nearby, enabling Gnanappu to visit often, bringing fruits and weeping at his suffering. De Lannoy also frequently visited, offering solace. “God never abandons those who live for Him; He never deceives; He will dedicate Himself to them,” De Lannoy reassured.
When Gnanappu’s father fell ill upon hearing of Devasahayam’s hardships in Travancore prison, Devasahayam prayed fervently, and miraculously, her father recovered. This led Gnanappu’s parents to embrace Christianity.
Several royal envoys, initially polite in Travancore prison, sought to convert Devasahayam back. However, those who engaged with him were themselves converted to Christianity. Dismayed by this, the general and priests (Poojaris) reacted harshly, expelling and chasing away the public who came to see him.
Meanwhile, the Padmanabhapuram council debated Devasahayam’s fate. His influence in converting upper castes sparked fears of destabilizing the nation’s peace. Efforts to impose a death sentence met resistance from some Nair community members, dividing the senate into factions for and against his execution. Some also opposed the torture of fellow countrymen who shared Devasahayam’s Christian faith.
Thalavai and the Namboodiri urged the king to resolve the matter quickly, warning that delays could spark a people’s revolution. Consequently, the king ordered Devasahayam’s transfer to another prison. He was tortured and escorted through Puliyoorkurichy by guards. As noted earlier, it was here, at what is now Muttidichchan Rock, that he encountered a divine presence through a miraculous fountain of water.
From Puliyoorkurichi, the journey continued through Brahmapuram, Manakkarai, Villukkuri, Madathattuvilai, and Appattuvilai. Historical accounts of Marthanda Varma note that a Nadar woman once saved him from assassination by hiding him in a straw hut. In gratitude, he gifted her land, now known as EluthanKottukoam in Appattuvilai.
Legend holds that before his conversion, Devasahayam visited the SomaseriKulam Arulmigu Shasta temple in this area for a pooja. He practiced silambam with locals and contributed pillars for the temple’s restoration. Later, during his persecution, he was tortured here, tied to a stone pillar. Despite the guards, locals showed him kindness, offering palm jaggery and water. They commemorated this with a stone cross and a birch tree, where St. Anthony’s Church now stands. Locals believe prayers in this area aid in curing diseases.
The journey then proceeded to Parvathipuram, passing through Kandanvilai, Karankadu, Nullivilai, Konnakuzhivilai, Alur, and Chungankadai.
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