Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum: What you need to know

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum City is a Hindu temple devoted to Vishnu and a must-see for every Hindu faith devotee. When officials there discovered about Rs 1,43,000 crores in treasure, the temple catapulted to prominence and became the wealthiest temple in the world. From which the temple gets its name, Padmanabha literally means “one sprouting from the lotus.”

The current trustees of the temple are members of the Travancore royal family. Travancore’s royal dynasty is descended from the famous saint Kulashekhara Alwar, whose surname is Cheras.

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History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

In the Tamil Alvar Saints’ 6th- to 9th-century literary classic Divya Prabandha, one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes of Lord Vishnu) is praised: the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in southern India. An Alvar poet called Nammalvar praised Sri Padmanabha in the eighth century.

The preeminent deity’s primary statue is impressive and one-of-a-kind. 12,000 Shaligramam stones were used to create the idol (the aniconic form of Lord Vishnu, taken from the Gandaki River banks that flow through India and Nepal). The Lord places his right hand atop the Linga of Shiva as he relaxes on Adi Shesha Naga. To view Lord Brahma, look no further than the navel of Lord Vishnu, who rides the Lotus flower. Lord Vishnu’s two wives are at his sides. Through the first door, the devotee may see Lord Vishnu with his hands on Lord Shiva; through the second, Goddess Sridevi and Lord Brahma; and through the third, Goddess Bhudevi and Kaudinya Muni.

The whole idol of Lord Padmanabha is covered with a specific Ayurvedic concoction of herbs called Katusarkara Yogam. The paste preserves the deity’s idol in pristine condition.

The Sri Krishna Swamy temple in Thiruvambadi, part of the significant Temple complex, is said to have been built before the main shrine. It is said that Sage Vilvamangalathu was buried on the ground where the temple now stands.

Six underground, hermetically-sealed vaults have been discovered under the temple’s grounds. The rich, hidden contents of these vaults are protected from public view. The highly regarded Vault B is one of them. For hundreds of years, nobody was able to see it. However, after a directive from India’s highest court, the safe was unlocked, and priceless artifacts with a combined worth of over a trillion dollars were uncovered. The doors of a tiny antechamber within the vault are so difficult to open that they have remained sealed off to the public all these years. The locals fear that the Lord will be angered if the vault is opened, and chaos will ensue.

Why Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

According to Tamil Azhvars, the temple is one of the 108 “Divya Desams” (holiest dwelling) of Lord Vishnu (saints).

The 12008 salagramams adorning the 18-foot-long figure were gathered from the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal. The fossilised shell known as a “Salagrama” or “Shaligram” is an important religious relic in South Asia, where it serves as a constant reminder of the deity Vishnu. These are often gathered in Nepal from the riverbanks and sediment of the Gandaki.

In South India, there is a well-known temple dedicated to Vishnu that some say was founded on the first day of the Kali Yuga (over 5000 years ago).

One of the oldest temples in Kerala, this one is devoted to Vishnu. In his normal reclining position, Lord Vishnu, the Ananta Shayana, is atop the coiled snake Adi Shesha. Most depictions of Vishnu in temples have the god standing, making this unusual seated image all the more striking.

Things to Know Before Visiting Padmanabha Temple

The East Gate is the most popular entry. However, there are also three more entrances.
You may use the restrooms, cloakroom, and change of clothes for a small fee just outside the temple.
The temple’s management has a strict dress code that both men and women must obey.
No personal belongings, including currency, are permitted within the shrine.
The Padmanabha Swamy Temple has a fantastic site, no more than 2 kilometers from Trivandrum’s busiest commercial district. Day or night, you may easily catch one of the numerous nearby auto-rickshaws that will transport you to the temple grounds.

Temple Dress Code of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

There are four types of outfits that women are expected to wear: sarees, Mundum Neriyathum (set-mundu), skirts and blouses, or half-sarees.
Gowns are allowed for girls under 12 years of age.
Similar to women, men must wear dhotis and bare their torsos.
It is easy to rent dhotis at the entrance.
There has been a slight relaxation in these rules recently in order to alleviate devotees’ inconveniences.

Nearby Attractions for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

1. Napier Museum

Here you may find a wide selection of bronze sculptures, antique musical instruments, ivory carvings, and even full-size kathakali dancers. His paintings enhance Raja Ravi Varma’s fame from the Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput styles and the devotion of a select group of followers.

2. Vizhinjam Rock Cut Caves

The Vizhinjam cave temple has rock-cut sculptures from the 18th century. The granite statue of Vainandhara Dakshinamurthi is housed in a single-cell temple.

3. Varkala

Varkala is well-known as a place to visit for its tranquil resort and spa atmosphere. The most important stop for Hindu devotees. An excellent spot to unwind and relax after a day of seeing the many temples and other attractions. Tall cliffs emerge mysteriously from the shore, teeming with mineral springs.

The kinds of trees from which fibers are traditionally extracted to make fabric are shown here. The ancient Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dates back almost two millennia. Many penitents come here to pray for forgiveness.

4. Agasthyakoodam

To See the Sights, Agasthyakoodam Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located close to Kerala’s second-highest hill.

Wildlife abounds, and so are rare varieties of medicinal herbs and plants, as well as beautiful orchids. You may easily access this location on foot from Kotoor, which is close to Neyyar dam. The months of December through April are ideal for sightseeing in Trivandrum. Fit for a long hike.

Conclusion

Destinations near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple Travelers visiting Thiruvanathapuram to obtain a serene and lovely Darshan of Lord Padmanabha have the option of seeing the city and its environs.

Here you can also learn about Indian temples:

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum: What you need to know

History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Why Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Things to Know Before Visiting Padmanabha Temple

Temple Dress Code of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple