This ancient Hindu temple, located in Kerala, India, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and holds a hidden treasure worth over $22 billion. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava tradition.
The temple is built in a fusion of Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture, featuring a 100-foot tall gopuram (ornate entrance gate) and an 18-foot idol of the principal deity lying on a serpent. But how did this temple come to be, and what makes it so special? In this blog post, we will explore the history, architecture, and mystery of the Padmanabhaswamy temple, and why it is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in culture, heritage, and spirituality.
Come along with me as we delve into the fascinating history and legends surrounding this amazing destination, and discover some incredible facts and mysteries that will leave you spellbound. If you love spirituality, heritage, and adventure, then the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is worth a visit!
The temple was later patronized by the Travancore royal family, who considered themselves as the servants of the Lord. They donated their wealth and treasures to the temple and ruled the kingdom as per the Lord's wishes.
The temple is also a treasure trove of art and culture, as it showcases the finest examples of mural paintings, wood carvings, stone sculptures, and bronze statues. The temple walls are decorated with exquisite paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics and Puranas.
However, the sixth vault, known as Vault B, remained unopened, as it was sealed by a metal door with a cobra image on it. According to the legend, the vault is protected by a curse, and anyone who tries to open it will face dire consequences. Some believe that the vault contains a secret chamber, where the Lord's most valuable and sacred possessions are kept. Some also believe that the vault is connected to the Arabian Sea, and opening it will cause a massive flood.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple is not just a temple, but a living testimony of the faith, devotion, and glory of the Hindu tradition. The temple is a symbol of the supreme power and grace of Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver and protector of the universe. The temple is also a source of inspiration and pride for the people of Kerala, who have a deep attachment and reverence for the temple. The temple is also a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims, who flock to the temple to witness its magnificence and mystery.
In conclusion, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a remarkable example of the rich cultural and religious heritage of Kerala and India. It is not only a place of worship, but also a treasure trove of history, art, and mystery. The temple attracts millions of devotees and tourists every year, who come to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and marvel at the architectural beauty and the hidden wealth of the temple. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is truly a wonder of the world and a testimony to the faith and devotion of the people of Kerala.
Table of Contents
- The History and Legend of the Temple
- The Architecture and Art of the Temple
- The Mystery and Controversy of the Temple
- Festivals
- How to reach?
- Temple Timing
- Online Puja
- Dress Code
- Conclusion
The History and Legend of the Temple
The exact date of the temple's origin is unknown, but it is believed to be at least 5000 years old. According to the legend, the temple was founded by sage Divakara Muni Vilwamangalam, who had a vision of Lord Vishnu as a child. The child led him to a cave, where he disappeared into a mahua tree. The tree fell and revealed a huge idol of Lord Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta, also known as Adi Shesha.
The sage requested the Lord to shrink his size, and the idol became 18 feet long. The sage then built a temple around the idol, and named it Padmanabhaswamy, meaning "the Lord of the lotus navel".
The temple was later patronized by the Travancore royal family, who considered themselves as the servants of the Lord. They donated their wealth and treasures to the temple and ruled the kingdom as per the Lord's wishes.
The temple became the custodian of immense riches, which were stored in six secret vaults, named A to F. The vaults were guarded by metal doors, locks, and seals, and were opened only on rare occasions. The main attraction of the temple is the idol of Lord Vishnu in the Ananthasayanam posture, which means "sleeping on the serpent".
Video Courtesy: Kerala Tourism
The Architecture and Art of the Temple
The temple is a stunning example of the fusion of Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It has a massive gopuram (tower) at the entrance, which is 100 feet tall and adorned with intricate sculptures and carvings. The temple complex has several shrines, mandapams (halls), and tanks, each with its significance and beauty.
The main shrine houses the idol of Padmanabhaswamy, which can be seen through three doors. The idol is made of 12,008 Salagrama stones, which are considered sacred and auspicious. The idol is covered with gold and precious jewels and has a lotus emerging from its navel, on which Brahma, the creator, is seated. The idol is also flanked by Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Bhudevi, the goddess of earth.
The temple is also a treasure trove of art and culture, as it showcases the finest examples of mural paintings, wood carvings, stone sculptures, and bronze statues. The temple walls are decorated with exquisite paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics and Puranas.
The temple also has a collection of rare musical instruments, manuscripts, and artifacts, which reflect the rich heritage and history of the temple.
The Mystery and Controversy of the Temple
The treasure of the temple is one of the most fascinating and controversial aspects of the temple, as it contains a vast collection of gold, jewels, idols, weapons, utensils, and other artifacts, which are stored in six vaults (kallaras) under the temple.
The treasure was accumulated over centuries by the Travancore royals and other devotees, who donated their wealth to the temple as a sign of devotion.
Golden idol found in treasure
The treasure came to public attention in 2011 when the Supreme Court of India ordered an inventory of the temple's assets after a petition was filed by a lawyer alleging mismanagement and corruption by the temple authorities.
A team of experts opened five of the six vaults and discovered a staggering amount of gold, silver, diamonds, jewels, and antiques, worth billions of dollars. The inventory revealed that the temple had more wealth than any other religious institution in the world, and was also one of the richest entities in India.
However, the sixth vault, known as Vault B, remained unopened, as it was sealed by a metal door with a cobra image on it. According to the legend, the vault is protected by a curse, and anyone who tries to open it will face dire consequences. Some believe that the vault contains a secret chamber, where the Lord's most valuable and sacred possessions are kept. Some also believe that the vault is connected to the Arabian Sea, and opening it will cause a massive flood.
The mystery of Vault B has sparked a lot of curiosity and speculation and has also raised several questions about the ownership, security, and management of the temple's wealth. Later Supreme Court of India in the year 2020 upheld the right of the Travancore royal family in the administration of Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Festivals
Padmanabhaswamy Temple is not just a temple, but a living testimony of the faith, devotion, and glory of the Hindu tradition. The temple is a symbol of the supreme power and grace of Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver and protector of the universe. The temple is also a source of inspiration and pride for the people of Kerala, who have a deep attachment and reverence for the temple. The temple is also a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims, who flock to the temple to witness its magnificence and mystery.
Laksha Deepam
Video Courtesy: Kerala Tourism
The temple is especially famous for its festivals and rituals, which are celebrated with great pomp and fervor. The most important festival is the Laksha Deepam, which is held once in six years. On this occasion, the temple is illuminated with one lakh (100,000) lamps, creating a spectacular sight.
Arattu
The Aarattu festival is a Hindu ritual that involves bathing the idol of a deity in a river or a temple tank. It is celebrated in many temples in Kerala, but the most famous one is the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The festival lasts for 10 days and ends with a grand procession of the idol to Shankumugham Beach, where it is immersed in the sea. The festival is a symbol of the purification and rejuvenation of the deity and the devotees.
Video Courtesy: Kerala Tourism
Some of the attractions of the Aarattu festival are:
- The ceremonial procession of the idol, accompanied by the Travancore royal family, priests, musicians, and elephants. The procession passes through the Trivandrum International Airport, which halts its operations for this occasion.
- The palpayasam, a sweet pudding made of rice, milk, and sugar is offered to the deity after the bath. It is believed to have divine blessings and is distributed to the devotees.
- The cultural programs and performances showcase the traditional art forms of Kerala, such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thiruvathirakali, and Ottamthullal.
How to reach?
This temple is situated in the capital city of the state of Kerala, Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram. The name Thiruvananthapuram comes from the Malayalam/Tamil words "thiru-anantha-puram" and the Sanskrit word "anantha-pura". It means "The City of Lord Ananta" or "Abode of Lord Anantha". To reach the temple, you have several options depending on your mode of transport.
By Air
You can take a flight to the Trivandrum International Airport, which is just 4 km away from the temple. It connects major airports in India and some international airports like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
By Road
You can take a bus to the Vizhinjam Bus Station, which is about 16 km away from the temple. From there, you can hire a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, or a cycle-rickshaw to reach the temple.
By Train
You can also take a train to the Trivandrum Central Railway Station, which is only 1.4 km away from the temple. Major railway stations in India connect this station.Temple Timing
The temple timings are from 3:15 am to 12:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 7:20 pm every day. There are different darshan timings for morning and evening, which you can check on the official website. Entry to the temple is free for all devotees, but you can also book online puja tickets if you wish.
Online Puja
Online Puja is a service offered by the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to enable devotees to book and perform various Poojas and rituals from their homes. The online booking can be done through the official website of the temple.
Some of the Poojas and rituals that can be booked online are:
Meni Thula Payasam
A sweet dish made of rice, milk, and sugar offered to the deity. The ticket cost is Rs.800 and the timing is 8:30 am – 10:30 am.
Ksheerabhishekam
A ritual of pouring milk on the idol of the deity. The ticket cost is Rs.75 and the timing is the same as the darshan timing except 3:30 am – 4:45 am.
Nirmalyam
A special darshan of the deity from 3:30 am to 4:45 am. The ticket cost is Rs.2000 and only two devotees are allowed per day.
Udayastamana Pooja
A series of 18 Poojas performed from sunrise to sunset for the welfare of the devotee. The ticket cost is Rs.25000 and the booking has to be done in advance.
Dress Code
The dress code for the temple is very strict and traditional. Men must wear mundu or dhoti (worn around the waist and going down up to the heels) and should not wear shirts of any kind. Women must wear a sari, mundum neriyathum (set-mundu), a skirt and blouse, or half a sari. Shorts, sleeveless tops, tight-fitting clothes, and Western-style dresses are strictly prohibited inside the temple premises. You can also rent dhotis at the temple entrance if you need to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a remarkable example of the rich cultural and religious heritage of Kerala and India. It is not only a place of worship, but also a treasure trove of history, art, and mystery. The temple attracts millions of devotees and tourists every year, who come to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and marvel at the architectural beauty and the hidden wealth of the temple. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is truly a wonder of the world and a testimony to the faith and devotion of the people of Kerala.
Are you ready for an unforgettable experience? Let me know in the comment section if you are planning to visit the temple.
