Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India, the Padmanabhaswamy temple- considered to be the world’s richest place of worship- is one of the most important Hindu temples in the world. The English translation of its name is “The City of Lord Ananta”. It is believed that Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands at a site considered to be one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. Also, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in India is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples, also called Divya Desams. Several texts, such as the Puranas, mention the temple. In particular, in the Padma and Skanda Puranas.
Featuring high walls and a 16th-century gopura, this temple fuses the styles of Chera and Dravidian architecture. The main deity Padmanabha Swami (Vishnu) is enshrined in the posture of “Anantha Shayana” in which he lays asleep on the infinite serpent Adi Shesha. And Padma Theertham, meaning Lotus Spring, is close by the temple.
History:
The kingdom of Travancore was dedicated to Lord Padmanabha by Marthanda Varma in 1750. Marthanda Varma pledged that the royal family would rule the country on behalf of the Lord, and he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as the Padmanabha Dasa. From then on, every Travancore king was known as Padmanabha Dasa. The entrusting of the kingdom of Travancore to Padmanabhaswamy is known as Thripadidanam. Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam festivals were introduced by Marthanda Varma in the temple. It is still customary to conduct Murajapam once every six years, which means continuous chanting of prayers in Sanskrit.
Visiting Hours:
Morning 03:45 am to 04:15 am, 05:15am to 06:15am, 08:30am to 10:00am, 10:30am to 11:15am
Evening 05.00 pm to 06.15 pm, 06:50pm to 07:20pm
Contact Details :
+914712464606
Getting there :
Nearest railway station: Kazhakkoottam Railway Station, about 12 km
Nearest airport: Trivandrum TRV Airport, about 2.4 km