Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu, is one of the 108 Divya Desams in the Vaishnavite tradition. Thiruvananthapuram translates to “Ananta’s City” in Malayalam. This temple is renowned as the world’s wealthiest Hindu temple. The temple’s main gopuram (tower) faces the eastern gate of the fort wall surrounding the temple. Built in Dravidian style, this gopuram is one of the iconic landmarks of Thiruvananthapuram.
The main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, who is depicted sleeping alongside Goddess Mahalakshmi on his serpent mount, Aadi Shesha. Besides Padmanabhaswamy, the temple also houses important deities like Narasimha Moorthy and Thiruvambadi Sree Krishnaswamy Bhagavatha Purana says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham and made several offerings
Main Deity:
Lord Mahavishnu,
In addition to Padmanabhaswamy, there are important deities like Narasimha Moorthy and Thiruvambadi Sree Krishnaswamy.
Sub Deities: Ganapathi, Dharmasastha, Sree Rama, Seetha Devi, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Vishwaksena, Ashwatthama, and Vedavyasa.
History
The ancient temple holds a prominent place among the 108 Vaishnavite temples. The Syanandoora Purana Samuchaya indicates that Kotha Kerala Varma of Venad (1127-1150 AD) renovated the temple around 600 years ago. This suggests that the temple was established centuries earlier.
Maharaja Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, a devoted follower, of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, the family deity of the Travancore Royal Family, renovated the temple, constructing five of the seven tiers of the gopuram and bringing 12,000 Salagrama’s for the idol’s reconstruction. He also built the monolithic mandapam, completed the eastern gopuram, installed the golden flagstaff, and expanded the Padmatheertham pond.
He introduced rituals like Bhadra Deepam and Murajapam and transformed the Ettara Yogam into an advisory council.
In January 1750, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja, performed the ‘Thrippadidanam’ ceremony, dedicating all his conquered territories to Lord Padmanabha. After conquering Changanassery, the Maharaja and his entourage presented themselves before the deity, dedicating all their lands. He pledged to rule as “Padmanabha Dasa” and received the royal sword back from the priest, marking his commitment. His successors were also known as Padmanabha Dasas. Anizham Thirunal is honoured as the architect of modern Travancore for this devout act.
Temple and the Pulayas
From the Perumattukali lineage came the Pulaya Kings and Queens who ruled from Pulayanarkotta and Kokkothamangalam. King Kothan ruled Pulayanarkotta, and Queen Kotha ruled Kokkothamangalam.King Kothan’s Shiva temple, found buried, is being rebuilt. Authorities often overlook these historical truths. Their descendants still live near Thiruvananthapuram. Malachatha of Kavalloor received festival privileges at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, continued by her daughter Janaki after her death, showing the bond between the temple and the Pulayas.
Ettarayogam
The governing body of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, known as Sabha, was established in Kollam Year 225. It included six members and the Maharaja, with decisions requiring the Maharaja’s approval. The head was Pushpanjali Swamiyar, and the chief executive was Srikkaryathu Potti. The eight members and the Maharaja formed the Ettarayogam. While the Maharaja could appoint or remove the Pushpanjali Swamiyar, he was expected to bow before him.
Legend
The temple’s legends have been preserved for centuries. According to ancient palm leaf records and the renowned Grantha “Anantashayana Mahatmya,” a Tulu Brahmin hermit named Divakara Muni consecrated the temple. The idol was reinstalled in Kaliyuga in the year of 950.
According to the legend mentioned in the records of Mathilakom, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple was consecrated by the Tulu ascetic Divakara Muni in the early 900s of the Kali Yuga. Divakara Muni performed intense penance to attain Vishnu Pada (the feet of Vishnu), and pleased by his penance, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a young boy. The sage rejoiced at the sight of the divine child and prayed to see him daily. The boy agreed to stay if the sage remained kind.
The boy frequently played mischievous pranks on the sage, which gradually became uncontrollable. One day, while the sage was deep in meditation, the boy put the Salagrama (a sacred symbol of Vishnu) in his mouth, which the sage worshipped as a representation of Lord Vishnu. Infuriated by the desecration, the sage pushed the boy away with his left hand. The hurt boy declared that if the sage wished to see him again, he should come to Anantha Forest (Ananthan Kadu) and then disappeared.
Saddened by the boy’s departure, the sage set out on a journey to Anantha Forest to find him. While resting during his journey to Anantha Forest, the sage saw a Pulaya woman (Perumattukali) scolding her child, saying she would throw him into Anantha Forest. Taking the woman along, he reached Anantha Forest, where he saw Lord Padmanabhaswamy in the Anantashayana posture.
The sage then performed penance there. Soon, a massive tree fell, revealing Lord Vishnu in the Anantashayana form. The deity’s head was at Thiruvalla, feet at Thrippappoor, and torso at Thiruvananthapuram, Temples now exist at all three locations.
The deity was so immense that the sage prayed to see the entire form at three times the length of his staff. This prayer was granted, resulting in the form seen today. The sage then worshipped the deity with devotion.
Some believe the temple’s original site is the Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kasaragod district.
Major Festivals
Rohini festival: Held in the Malayalam month of Meenam (lasting 10 days).
Thiruvonam festival: Held in the Malayalam month of Thulam (lasting 10 days).
Important days: Ashtami Rohini, Thiruvonam, Vishu, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Makar Sankranti, Vaisakha, and Karkadaka Sankranti.
Swathi Sangeethotsavam
Lakshadeepam (once in 6years). Murajapam (recitation of 3vedas performed by renowned Vedic scholars) will be there for 56 days prior to Lakshadeepam.
Offerings
Neyvilakku (Ghee lamp) (for 11 consecutive days)
Temple Visit Timings
3:30 AM to 12:00 PM
5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Dress Code
- Men: Traditional Kerala Dhotis or Mundus (No Shirts or Upper Garments)
- Women: Traditional Indian attire(Saree, Salwar Kameez)
Address
Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Fort, Thiruvananthapuram – 695023,
Kerala, India
Ph No: 0471 2450233
Email: [email protected],
[email protected]
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