Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Main Deity:-  Shree Padmanabhaya – Shri Vishnu

Region:-  Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Avatar Information:-  Shree Padmanabhaya, an avatar of Vishnu, the famous Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most popular shrines in India. The shrine is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, according to experts. The main deity in the Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is Shree Vishnu in the ‘Anantha Shayana’ posture (reclined posture of eternal Yog) on Adi Shesha or king of all serpents.

Temple Built-In:- According to Historians, the temple dates back to the 8th century but the present structure was built in the 18th century by the then-Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma.

Significance:- The temple is amongst the 108 principal Divya Desams in Vaishnavism and is glorified in the Divya Prabandha. It is believed that Parasurama has placed the idol of Sree  Padmanabha in Dwapara Yuga. 

Another view is that the legendary sage Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar prayed to Shree Vishnu for his darshan and the Shree is believed to have come in the guise of a mischievous little boy who damaged the Idol kept there. The sage became furious over the boy and chased him until the boy disappeared before him. The sage soon realised that the boy was the Shree himself and wept for forgiveness. He requested another Darshan of the Shree to which he heard a voice to visit Ananthankadu.

Worship Process:- Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is the place where people may have actual feeling of being blessed with Lord Vishnu. One who comes to the temple may keep the following pattern or route for worship. Initially enter preferably through the East nada (if ever entering through any other nada, please come to the east; that is near to the Sthoopa). Then turn left, go and see to worship the dasavatharams, then turn right and go to see and worship Lord Ayyappa, again turn left then go on right and reach to Lord Guruvayoorappa; then to Kshetrapalakan and then to Ganapathy temple and finally reach again near to the stoopam. Then proceed to Sree Padmanabha’s main deity place through the queue. On the way, first you get a round of Sree Anjaneya swami then around the Garuda and then only enter near to the mandapam. Turn left then go near to Sree Narasimha swamy- get Paanakam- (you can get a receipt for paanakam there itself, if not taken earlier). After all these, you may proceed to Lord Sree Padmanabha. For entering near to the front row of the ottakkal manadapam you have to have any receipt for any seva- don’t forget- have it- see the Lord to your full satisfaction- Don’t forget to see the Lord’s Head; the hand of which reaches to Lord Sree Mahadeva (Sivalingam)- then the midplace (udara bhaagam) from where the Padmasambhavan (Lord Brahamadeva) arises, and then the foot of Lord Vishnu. In the meantime also please try to see the Devi’s and if possible the navagraha. Don’t do any Namaskar inside that premises.

Temple History:- The historical backdrop of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple goes back to the eighth century. It is one of the 108 hallowed Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India. The temple gave its name to Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram. ‘Thiru’ ‘Anantha’ ‘Puram’ means ‘sacred abode of Shree Anantha Padmanabha.

Although the exact date of the temple’s construction isn’t known, the earliest mention of the temple dates to the 9th century.

Later, during the 15th century, the roof of the sanctum sanctorum was repaired, as mentioned in the palm leaf records. The Ottakkal Mandapam on the premises was built at about the same time. And around the mid-17th century, King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma ordered major renovations in the temple.

The sanctum sanctorum was reconstructed, and the old idol was replaced by a statue made of 12,008 shaligram stones and various herbs, collectively called katu-sharkara. By 1739, the work on the statue was completed. The king also built the stone corridor, the gate and the flagstaff.

Then, in 1750, he dedicated his kingdom to the lord, in the Thrippadidanam ceremony.

In 1758, the pillared outdoor hall – Karthika Mandapam, was built by king Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. And in 1820, during the time of queen Gowri Parvathi Bayi, the large Anantha Shyana mural was drawn.

Another major event in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple history was recorded in 1936, during the reign of Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma. He outlined the Kshethra Praveshan Vilambram (or Temple Entry Proclamation) to allow every Hindu caste and creed in the temple.

How to Reach:-

By Road: A passenger travelling by bus can catch another bus at Thampanoor in Trivandrum. From there the temple is 1 KM of distance. Later, an auto needs to be taken to reach the destination comfortably. Thereafter from Kovalam one can reach Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple which is 20 km away. Frequent buses are available from Low floor buses by KSRTC and at low fares for individuals.

By Rail: Individuals coming in for a tour to Trivandrum Temple, can get off the train at Central Railway Station at Thampanoor in Trivandrum. Thereafter, the drive from that place is just 1km to the temple by auto-rickshaws.

By Air: Once after reaching the Airport at Trivandrum, a local bus or taxi, or Auto can be taken to travel towards East Fort (Kizhakkekotta).

From the East Fort, it is just a small walk to the temple of Shree Padhmanabha Swamy

Temple Festivals and Info:- There are many festivals associated with this temple. The major festivals are bi-annual. The Aipasi festival and the Panguni festival in the Tamil month of aipasi (October/November) and Panguni (March/April) respectively, lasts for 10 days each. On the ninth day the Maharajah of the Travancore, in his capacity as Thrippappoor Mooppan, escorts the deities to the vettakkalam for Pallivetta. Centuries back, the Pallivetta procession was said to pass through Kaithamukku, Kuthiravattom (Kunnumpuram), Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram and Putharikkandam. The festivals culminate with the Aarat (holy bath) procession to Shankumugham Beach. The word Aarat refers to the purificatory immersion of the deities of the temple in sea. This event takes place in the evening. The Maharajah of Travancore escorts the Aarat procession on foot. The festival idols “Utsava Vigrahas” of Padmanabhaswamy, Narasimha Moorthi and Krishna Swami are given a ritual bath in the sea, after the prescribed pujas. After this ceremony, the idols are taken back to the temple in a procession that is lit by traditional torches, marking the conclusion of the festival

Main Festivals:-The biggest festival in this temple is laksha deepam, which means hundred thousand (or one lakh) lamps. This festival is unique and commences once in 6 years. Prior to this festival, chanting of prayers and recitation of three Vedas is done for 56 days (Murajapam). On the last day, a hundred thousand oil lamps are lit in and around the temple premises.

Popular Shlok | Aarti:-

शान्ता कारं भुजग शयनं पद्म नाभं सुरेशम्

विश्वा धारं गगन सदृशं मेघ वर्णं शुभाङ्गम् |

लक्ष्मी कान्तं कमल नयनं योगिभिर्ध्या नगम्यम्

वन्दे विष्णुं भव भय हरं सर्वलोकैक नाथम् ||

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Darshan Timings in Morning:

3:15 am to 4:15 am

6:30 am to 7:00 am

8.30 am to 10:00 am

10:30 am to 11:10 am

11:45 am to 12:00 pm

Evening Darshan Timings of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple:

5:00 pm to 6:15 pm

6:45 pm to 7:20 pm

Dress code:- 

There is a strict dress code that should be taken while entering the temple. 

Men need to wear mundu or dhoti (worn around the midsection and going down up to the heels) and ought not to wear shirts of any sort.

Ladies need to wear a Saree, Mundum neriyathum (set-mundu), skirt and pullover, or half saree.

Dhotis are accessible on lease in temple premises. 

Popular youtube Video:- https://youtu.be/sr8K8UZ1w-4

The average daily footfall of Temple:- The daily inflow of pilgrims was around 500 to 1,000. But today, the number has gone up to 5,000 to 10,000 pilgrims. Most new visitors to the temple are from the other three South Indian states though a few are from the northern parts of the country.