Sree PadmanabhaSwamy Temple, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruananthapuram
Sree PadmanabhaSwamy Temple, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruananthapuram

The origin of the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is lost in antiquity. It is not possible to determine with any exactitude, from any reliable historical documents or other sources as to when and by whom the original idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was consecrated. The Temple has references in Epics and Puranas. Srimad Bhagavatha says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham, and made several offerings. Nammalwar, the 9th-century poet and one among the 12 Vaishnavite saints of the Alvar tradition, has composed ten hymns in praise of Lord Padmanabha. Some well-known scholars, writers, and historians, like the late Dr. L.A.Ravi Varma of Travancore, have expressed the view that this Temple was established on the first day of Kali Yuga (which is over 5000 years ago). The legends of the Temple are handed down through the centuries. One such legend which finds a place in the old palm leaf records of the Temple, as also in the famous grantha entitled “Ananthasayana Mahatmya”, mentions that it was consecrated by a Tulu Brahmin hermit named Divakara Muni. On the 950th year of Kali Yuga, a reinstallation of the idol was done. In the 960th Kali year, King Kotha Marthandan built the Abhisravana Mandapam. The principal deity Vishnu is enshrined in the “Anantha Shayanam” posture, the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent disheshan. Sree Padmanabhaswamy is the tutelary deity of the royal family of Travancore. The titular Maharaja of Travancore Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma is the trustee of the temple. The name of the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Malayalam translates to “The City of Lord Ananta”, referring to the deity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

See also  Varkala Janardhana Temple, Kerala

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

By Air

Nearest airport is Thiruvanathapuram (4 Km)

By Train

Railway Station Thiruvanathapuram (1km)

By Road

KSRTC, Thiruvanathapuram (1km)

Address

West Nada, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023

Contact Details

0471 246 4606

Browse Temples in India

Recent Posts