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.

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 Padmanabhaswamy Temple Festival (Uthsavam), held during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

Rs 90000 Crore Gold Treasure found in Kerala Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as on Sunday

Around 90,000 crore worth treasure (Nidhi) has been found in the secret cellars of the famous Kerala Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu - Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The 7 member paper appointed by the Supreme Court of India, has been preparing the list of valuable found in the cellars of Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple. The temple has 6 Secret Cellars (Nilavara – a place to keep assets safe) from Cellar A to Cellar F. Opening of each of these chambers is revealing a virtual treasure trove with precious diamonds, golden ornaments, emeralds, jewelleries, rare antique silver and brass platters and golden idols. An estimation of above 90,000 crore treasure was valued at the completion of the 6th day of valuing the assets of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Golden idol of Mahavishnu worth Rs. 500 Crore

The main treasure found on the 6th day was a one foot (12 angulams) height golden idol of Lord Mahavishnu and a 30 kg golden ‘anki’. This golden idol of Lord Vishnu is believed to be the replica of the ‘utsava vigraham' used in the temple. The golden idol of Padmanabhaswamy studded with more than 1000 previous stones is valued to around Rs. 500 Crore. Another golden idol of Lord Sree Krishna was also found which weighs around 5 kg.

Golden Coins, Ornaments, and Human figurine

Several golden coins were also unearthed yesterday which are believed to be issued during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar in the 16th century AD. Numerous golden ornaments which were used to adorn the main deity were also found in the Vault marked A. Ornaments studded with emeralds were also found on Saturday. Numerous golden human figurine weighing 1 kg, golden bangles, golden rope, are other interesting treasure found in the Vishnu Temple.

Golden Coconut Shells

Another interesting finding was two coconut shells made of pure gold. One of this golden coconut shell was students with rare antique stones including emeralds and rubies.

Cellar B To Open on Monday

Cellar B is the remaining one secret vault which is yet to be inventoried. It is said that this cellar haven’t been opened for more than 100 years. The remaining articles in Cellar A will be inventoried on Monday afternoon and Cellar B will be opened only after that.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kerala became the Richest Hindu 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.

History of Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum

The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th Century. References to the temple can be found in the Divya Prabandha canon of literature written by Tamil Alwar. Alvars are the Tamil Saint poets who lived between the sixth and ninth centuries AD. References to Sri Padmanabha Temple is also said to have in the Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana, and Vayu Purana. One of the twelve Alvars, Nammalvar (8th Century) had created four slokas and one phalasruthi about Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

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.

Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam Introduced in Temple

It was 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.

Rs 50,000 Crore Treasure including Gold Ornaments Found in Temple

More than Rs. 50,000 Crore treasure (Nidhi in Malayalam) which included antique gold ornaments, diamonds and other precious stones, golden crown, golden bow, golden vessels, and other precious stones were found in the secret chambers (Nilavara in temple) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The seven member panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India who were drawing up a list of assets of the ancient Lord Vishnu Temple were mesmerized by the sight of the huge treasure grove in front of them. Source said that the original value of the treasure found in the Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum will be much more than Rs 50,000 Crore when calculating the price including the antiquity of the treasure found.

Some of the list of gold inventory found in the temple include golden crowns, 17 kg of gold coins dating back to the East India Company period, gold in the shape of rice trinkets weighing one tonne, 18 ft long golden necklace weighing 2.5 kg, gold ropes, sack full of diamonds, thousands of pieces of antique jewellery studded with diamonds and emeralds, and golden vessels.

Chamber B yet to be Opened and Valued

According to reliable sources, the original value of the inventories found in Chamber A alone may exceed worth Rs. 50, 000 Crore. Officials are yet to open chamber B and it is believed that the total assets of Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram will surely exceed the assets of the world famous Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh.

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.

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 opens daily at 03:30 AM and closes at 07:20 PM. However, there are specific timings for darshan.

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.

Worship Services at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Unlike other Hindu temples in India, there are specific timings for having darshan of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. The temple still carries the old age tradition and heritage of Kerala. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple to worship the Lord. Also, devotees need to follow specific dress code as well. Men have to use Dhoti or Mundu and no shirt or Baniyan should be worn by males. Women devotees can use Saree. Dhotis can be worn over pants or churidhar.
The worshiping services at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple starts from 03:30 AM in the morning and the temple closes after pooja at 07:20 PM.

Check out the below links for Pooja details, temple timings and Offering to the Lord Padmanabha

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Pictures & Photo Gallery

Here are some pictures of the famous Lord Vishnu temple in Trivandrum - Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Picture of Padmatheertham Pond (Padma Theertham) and Sri Padmanabha Temple in the background.

Picture of the Big Idols of Pandavas displayed in front of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple during the annual Painkuni festival.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy God of Thiruvananthapuram

Sree Padmanabha Swamy is the regarded as the God of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. Thiruvananthapuram city derived its name after the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple located in the heart of the city. “Thiru – Anantha – Puram” means the “Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha”. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu in India and the primary Divyadesam in Kerala state. Lord Vishnu is enshrined in the temple in “Ananta Sayanam” posture in the eternal sleep of Yoga-nidra on the serpent Ananta Shesha.

Temple Maintained by Travancore Royal Family

This ancient Lord Vishnu temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture, and references to the temple can be found in the early medieval writings of the Tamil Alvars, dating back to 6th & 9th centuries CE. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is regarded to be the family deity of Travancore Kings and the temple is maintained by the Royal Family of Travancore. The Travancore Kings consider themselves as ‘Padmanabha-dasa’ or the Servant of Lord Padmanabha. His Royal Highness Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma is the present head of the Travancore royal family.

Padmanabha – An Aspect of Lord Vishnu

The word “Padmanabha” literally means “One with Lotus Shaped Navel”. Padmanabha is one of the characteristics of Mahavishnu represented with a lotus flower originating from the God’s navel on which Lord Brahma, one among the Trimurthis of Hinduism, sits. Sree Padmanabha is also known by the names Padmanabha Perumal and Anantha Padmabhaswami.