By HARE KRISHNA : Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in Kerala, South India. Also known as Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple, this Mahavishnu Temple is located inside East Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram – the capital city of Kerala, India. Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra), lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. According to traditions, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas). Significance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of the Lord Mahavishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is also one of the seven Parasurama kshetras in Kerala. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is named after the Lord. The word Thiruvananthapuram literally means “The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy”.
Importance of the Idol
The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is made up of 12008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top. On top of them “Katusarkara Yogam”, Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.
History of Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum
References to Sri Padmanabha Temple is also said to have in the Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana, and Vayu Purana. According to Prof. MG Sashibhusan, Historian and Professor in University of Kerala, the temple’s history is older to the Sangam period. In Silappathikaram (epic poem in Tamil, written in the 5th-6th century AD by Prince Ilango Adigal), a sea-side golden temple called Adagamadam is mentioned. It also says the deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in a reclining pose. Kannagi (central character of Silapathikaram) is said to have come to the temple. Many historians say that the temple mentioned is the Padmanabhaswamy temple as its Deity is Lord Vishnu in reclining pose and it is also near the sea- side. Why it was described as a golden temple was because it was a rich temple and also the one with golden thazhikakudams (domes on top of the gopuram). That is why Adagamadam is Padmanabhaswamy temple itself.
The first historical evidence about the temple is available in the Vaishanva Azhvar poet Nammazhvar’s creations. It was in 8th century. In the Divya Prabandha canon of literature written by Tamil Alwar ( 10 kirtanas are exclusively in praise of this temple and the Deity). Alvars are the Tamil Saint poets who lived between the sixth and ninth centuries AD. One of the twelve Alvars, Nammalvar (8th Century) had created four slokas and one phalasruthi about Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. His contemporary Thirumanga Azhvar also had written kirtanas about Padmanabhaswamy. These poems show without any doubt that this temple was in existence in the 8th and 9th century.
It is also mentioned in the 12th century in a Sanskrit poem by an unknown poet. In the 13th century, there is a Malayalam creation, Ananthapura Varnanam. Records show that people like Sree Ramanuja Acharyar, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu etc visited the temple.
Guru Nanak had not started the Sikh religion then; he was a Vaishnava Goswami. He had even written a poem on Sree Padmanabha and it is included in the Adi Granth.In short, Padmanabhaswamy temple was known all over India long ago. Vaishnavites see this as one of the 108 Tirupatis.
Major Renovation of Temple by Marthanda Varma
It is believed that Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and its properties were maintained by Ettuveetil Pillamar – the eight powerful Nair feudal lords of ancient Travancore. Later His Royal Highness Sree Marthanda Varma Anizham Thirunal suppressed the Ettuveetil Pillais and his cousins and took over the control of the temple. Marthanda Varma has done a major renovation to the temple and it is said that the current structure of Padmanabhaswamy temple was made by the King.
History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Maharaja Mathanda Varma
Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam Introduced in Temple
It was the King Marthanda Varma who introduced the Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam festival in the temple. Murajapam, which literally means continuous chanting of prayers, is still conducted in the temple once in 6 years. Murajapam is performed when 12 Bhadradeepam joins.
Travancore was dedicated to Sree Padmanabhaswamy in 1750
In 3rd January 1750, Maharajah Marthanda Varma dedicated the kingdom of Travancore to Lord Padmanabha. Marthanda Varma vowed that the royal family will rule the state on behalf of Lord and he and his descendants would “serve” the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa or the Servant of Lord Padmanabha. Since then the name of every Travancore King was preceded by the title Padmanabha Dasa, while the female were called Padmanabha Sevinis. The donation of the kingdom of Travancore to Padmanabhaswamy was known as “Thripadidanam”. After dedicating the kingdom to the Lord, Marthanda Varma was known as Sripadmanabha Vanchipala Marthandavarma Kulasekaraperumal. By giving the Kingdom to Lord Padmanabha, the whole Travancore state became the property of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, and hence it is very appropriate to call Kerala as “God’s Own Country” or Sree Padmanabhaswamy’s Own Country.
Travancore Kings after Marthanda Varma
After the death of Marthanda Varma in 1758, all the succeeded Kings of Travancore took great care in continuing the daily poojas and ceremonies of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple intact and also rule the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa. The successors of Marthanda Varma was Dharma Raja, Balarama Varma, Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, Gowri Parvati Bayi, Swathi Thirunal, Uthram Thirunal, Ayilyam Thirunal, Visakham Thirunal, Moolam Thirunal, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, and Chithira Thirunal. The present head of the Travancore Royal Family, Sri Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma also keeps the words of Marthanda Varma and is very loyal to Sree Padmanabhaswamy and maintains the temple rituals and ceremonies intact.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Architecture
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is renowned for its sculptural beauty. With the ancient work of art in stone and bronze, the mural paintings and wood carvings, this ancient temple is a fine specimen of the Dravidian style of architecture. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands majestically beside the holy tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The tower at the entrance is a seven-storey and about 35 meter (100 foot) in height. Decked with beautiful stone carvings, this tower is constructed in South Indian architecture. There is an eighty-foot flag post (Dhwaja stambha) in front of the temple which is covered with gold plated copper sheets.
Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple has some interesting features such as the Bali Peeda Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. These halls are decorated with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities. Another notable part is the Navagraha Mandapa whose ceiling displays the Navagrahas.
Broad Corridor with 365 and 1/4 Sculptured Granite Stone Pillars
Extending from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum is a broad corridor which has 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with beautiful carvings. The remarkable touch of the artisans is felt in a piece of carving which has the figure of an elephant on one side and that of a bull on the other. It is notable that the horns of the bull look like the tusks of the elephant when seen from the other side and the trunk of the elephant seems like the hump for the bull.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Entrance
There is a ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) which is known as the ‘Nataka Sala’. Here the famous temple art of Kerala, the Kathakali, was staged in the night during the annual ten-day
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Architecture
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is renowned for its sculptural beauty. With the ancient work of art in stone and bronze, the mural paintings and wood carvings, this ancient temple is a fine specimen of the Dravidian style of architecture. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands majestically beside the holy tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The tower at the entrance is a seven-storey and about 35 meter (100 foot) in height. Decked with beautiful stone carvings, this tower is constructed in South Indian architecture. There is an eighty-foot flag post (Dhwaja stambha) in front of the temple which is covered with gold plated copper sheets.
Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple has some interesting features such as the Bali Peeda Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. These halls are decorated with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities. Another notable part is the Navagraha Mandapa whose ceiling displays the Navagrahas.
Broad Corridor with 365 and 1/4 Sculptured Granite Stone Pillars
Extending from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum is a broad corridor which has 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with beautiful carvings. The remarkable touch of the artisans is felt in a piece of carving which has the figure of an elephant on one side and that of a bull on the other. It is notable that the horns of the bull look like the tusks of the elephant when seen from the other side and the trunk of the elephant seems like the hump for the bull.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Entrance
There is a ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) which is known as the ‘Nataka Sala’. Here the famous temple art of Kerala, the Kathakali, was staged in the night during the annual ten-day Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple Festival (Uthsavam), held during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Worshipped through 3 Doors
The garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located on a stone slab and the Lord who is seen resting on the serpent inside is viewed through three different doors. The head and chest are seen in the first door; the middle portion and hands appear through the second door and the feet are seen through the third door. His right hand is hanged over Lord Shiva. Beside him are his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi and Lord Brahma is seen on a lotus, which comes from the navel of Vishnu. The idol is about 18 feet long built with 10, 008 Saligram stones and covered with gold and precious stones. The distinctive feature of the temple is that it has idols of the Lord in three postures. Main idol inside the sanctum is in the reclining posture; the idol seen through the central door in the standing posture, and there is an Utsava Murthi (the idol taken out for the festival processions) in the sitting posture.
Vishnu Anathashayanam Padmanabhay Temple Picture
Other Gods & Goddess in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has separate shrines for Hindu deities including
1) Lord Narasimhar -The shrine of Lord Narasimha Swamy is situated outside the main sanctum sanctorum near the main door.
2) Lord Ayyappa – The temple has a separate shrine for Sree Dharma Sastha.
3) Lord Ganesh – The temple of Sree Maha Ganapathi is on the left side while entering from the main entrance.
4) Lord Krishna – The shrine of Sree Krishna is situated near the South Entrance of the temple.
5) The shrine of Lord Rama, Seeta Devi and Lakshmana are inside the main sanctum sanctorum.
6) Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple also has a shrine dedicated to Sage Veda Vyasa.
Other deities enshrined in the temple include Lord Hanuman, Lord Garuda, Kshetrapalan (who guards the temple), and Vishwaksena.
Here are the details of Poojas that can be performed by devotees at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum.
General Archanas
Astothara Archana
Sahasranama Archana
Veeda Manthrarchana
Santhanagopala Archana
Vidhya Rahagopala Archana
Swayamvara Archana
Dhanwanthari Archana
Sudarshana Archana
Lekshminarayana Archana
Sooktam Archanas – Suktham
Purusha Sooktam
Bhoo Sooktha
Purusha Sooktam
Sree Sooktham
Bhaghya Sooktham
Aikyamathya Sooktham
Narayana Sooktham
Samvatha Sooktham
Abhishekams and Offerings
Aval (Sree Krishna Swamy)
Aravana
Panchamritham
Thrimadhuram
Unniyappam (Unni Appam)
Modakam (for Sree Ganapathi)
Paal Payasam
Ghee Payasama
Sharkara Payasam
Pongal
Ottayada
Idichu Pizhinja Payasam
Milk Abhishekam
Nei Vilakku
Vada Mala (Sree Hanuman Swamy)
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Darshan Timings in Morning
03:30 AM to 04:45 AM
06:30 AM to 07:00 AM
8.30 AM to 10:00 AM
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
11:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening Darshan Timings of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple
05:00 PM to 06:15 PM
06:45 PM to 07:20 PM
Please note that the temple worship timings are subject to change during festival occasion.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Dress Code
Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple. And dress codes are to be strictly followed before entering the temple. Men should wear ‘Mundu’ or ‘Dhoti’ while visiting the temple. They also have to remove shirt or t-shirt above waist. Women have to wear Sari (Saree), Mundum Neriyathum (set-mundu), Skirt and Blouse, or Half Sari. This means no pants for men or churidhar for women is allowed inside the temple.
Dhotis are available for rent near temple locker room. Nowadays temple authorities allow to wear Dhotis over pants or churidhar for the convenience of devotees.
Here rice is offered to the Lord in coconut shell. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Unni Appam and Aval with sugar are the other main offerings to Lord Padmanabhaswamy.
Muzhukkappu
Valiyalangaram
Panchamrutham
Ksheerabhishekam
Neivilakku
Aravana
Unniyappam
Pongal
Ponnum seeveli
Thulabharam
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Festivals
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple celebrates several small and big festivals every year. Some of the noted festivals delectated at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple include:
Annual Festivals
Some festivals are celebrated bi-annually. The Alpashy festival which falls on October/November and the Painkuni festival in March/April are held for 10 days each. These festivals conclude with the Aarattu (holy bath) at the Shankumugham Beach. Padmanbaswamy Temple is renowned for the Aarattu, which is headed by the royal family of Travancore. The word Aarattu means the ritual bathe of the deities in sea. During Aarattu, the idols of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, Krishna and Narasimha are immersed after some rituals. The idols are then brought back to the temple as a procession with beautifully decorated elephants, which is worth seeing.
Laksha Deepam Festival (Lighting of One Lakh Lamps)
Laksha Deepam festival is another major unique festival celebrated at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Laksha Deepam or Lakshadeepam literally means hundred thousand lambs (or one lakh lamps). Laksha Deepam festival is held once in 6 years and on the festival day, hundred thousand oil lamps are lit in and around the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple premises. Prior to the Lakshadeepam festival day recitation of three Vedas and chanting of prayers are done for 56 days.
Laksha Deepam Festival Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The last festival was celebrated on 2008 and the upcoming Laksha Deepam festival is on January 2014. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the only temple in known history to conduct the Laksha Deepam festival without any break since the festival was first conducted in January 1750 AD.
Navratri Festival
Held during September/October, this festival involves processional bringing of the idols of Saraswathi, Durga, and Murukan to the Kuthira Malika palace which is situated in front of Padmanabha temple. It is celebrated for nine days and the Swathi music festival is held during this festival.
Murjapam
Held once in six years, Murjapam means continuous recitation of prayers. This is performed when 12 Bhadradeepam joins.
Here are the other major festivals celebrated at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
1) Kalabham – 8th to 14th January – Makaraseeveli at 08:30 PM Perunthiramruthu Pooja
2) Painguni Uthsavam – March – April – 10th day Arattu
3) Vishu – 14th April – Vishu Kani Darshan at 05:00 am
4) Kalabham – 11th to 16th July – Karkkidaka Seeveli Perunthiramruthu Pooja
5) Niraputhari – July to August
6) Thiruonam – Onavillucharth (Onavillu) August – September
7) Vinayaka Chaturthi – held at Agrasala – August – September
8) Sree Krishna Jayanti – Ashtami Rohini – August – September
9) Valiya Ganapathi Homam – 12 days annually – September – October
10) Navaratri – September – October
11) Aippashi Uthsavam – October – November – 10 days Arattu
12) Swargavathil Ekadasi – December
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kerala became the Richest Temple in India
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple became the richest Hindu Temple in India as well as the world. As on 7th July 2011, after completing the asset valuation of the 5 secret cellars of the temple the treasure sums to more than Rs. 100,000 crore, that’s around US$22.3 billion in total, without even calculating the antique value of the objects. Earlier Sree Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh was regarded as the richest temple in India. Other richest temples in India are the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, and Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Maharashtra.
List of Ancient Treasure Found in Trivandrum Temple
List of Assets found in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple include a Golden idol of Lord Vishnu worth Rs. 500 Crore studded with precious stones, thousands of ancient gold coins, golden elephant statues, thousands of ancient gold ornaments, Swarna Dhanus, Swarna Pathakam, Golden Umbrellas, Precious Belgium Diamonds, Indraneelam, Emeralds, Rubies, famous golden crown known as Kulashekharaperumal Crown (Kkireedam in Malayalam), Golden Coconut Shells, golden ropes and utensils etc. It should be noted that the worth of these antique gold and diamonds are just an estimation only, when the original prices of these ancients assets are calculated the original treasure worth will surely be doubled.
Secret chambers of Temple – Nilavara
Earlier the six underground chambers (Nilavara in Malayalam) of the temple were opened by a team appointed by the honourable Supreme Court of India, after the petition filed by advocate Mr T.P. Sundara Rajan. Each underground strong rooms were a feast for the eyes of the authorities as they were stunned with the collection of antique jewellery, antique gold coins, diamonds, rare stones, golden crown, and gold vessels.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has six kallaras or Nilavara (Vaults or Secret chambers) which are labelled from A to F. The chambers labelled A and B haven’t been opened for more that 130 years. While the cellars labelled C to F will be opened during festival or some important ritual occasion. Majority of the treasure was found in Vault A. The secret chamber labelled B is expected to be opened only after a meeting in the mid July 2011.
hi,
punch into google search IBN BATTUTA AT CALICUT- VADAKAYIL
capt ajit vadakayil
..
IT APPEARS THAT LORD VISHNU HAS OPENED HIMSELF TO INDIANS IN REALITY & NOW EVERY TEMPLE OF GOD OUGHT TO BE IN THE ROW, TO PULL OUT THIS NATION FROM THE DUNGEON OF BPL- BELOW POVERTY LINE & POOR, A LABEL OF DISGRACE AFFIXED ON AROUND 85% POPULACE OF THIS COUNTRY, BY IT’S GOVERNMENT ITSELF–dr.amritgaur