Padmanabhaswamy temple – Thiruvanathapuram,Mystery and Secrets,History

The state of Kerala in India is truly a wonder when it comes to architectural, cultural, and natural spots for tourism. Among many other attractions of the place lies the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the capital city of the state, Thiruvananthapuram. It is a Hindu temple of Lord Padmanabhaaswamy or Ananta meaning Vishnu, the supreme deity in Hinduism. The construction of the exquisitely crafted temple dates back to the early 16th century by the kings of the kingdom Travancore which Thiruvananthapuram was a part. It is a breathtaking amalgamation of various styles of architecture found in India. 

The Architectural Genius of the Temple 

The architecture of the temple is composed of two main styles; the Chera and the Dravidian with high walls and a grand 16th-century main entrance. The shrine is the Lord Vishnu reclining on the snake (sheshNaag) depicted in a rare position. 

The shrine is made of saligramams brought in from the banks of the Gandaki river in Nepal which sparks annual rites and rituals there as well. The shrine depicts the holy trinity of Hinduism with the Lord’s right hand resting on a Sivalinga and Brahma appearing on a lotus attached to the lord’s naval. 

The temple was initially carved out of wood with intricate designs. Today we see it made of granite with exactly 365 pillars; one for each day of the year. 

                                               A Brief History  of Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The myth says that the temple was built on the first day of Kali Yuga (around 5000 years ago). Most of the details we know is from the Palm leaves records which had been handed over through generations. According to the epics, it is believed that Balarama had visited the temple and had bathed in the temple pond before giving offerings. Most of the known facts/myths are taken from the book titled ‘Anantasayana Mahatmya’. According to it, a Tulu Brahmin named Divakara Muni consecrated the temple.

Divakara Muni was a great Vishnu Bhakta. While at ‘Aanarthadesa’, he performed deep tapas. One day Maha Vishnu appeared before the sage as a lovely child. The charming child attracted the attention of the sage. He requested the God-child to stay with him. The child made his stay conditional. Accordingly, the Sanyasi should treat him with respect. On failing to do so, he would vanish at once. This was accepted and the child stayed with him. The hermit gave him great care and tolerated the childish pranks. One day, when the sanyasi was in deep meditation at his prayers, the chills took the ‘salagram’ which the sanyasi was using for worship and put it into his mouth and made such a nuisance of himself that Divakara Mini was greatly angered and could tolerate it no further. He thereupon chastised the child. In accordance with the earlier agreement, immediately the child ran away and disappeared from the spot. While going he said, “If you wish to see me again, you will find me again in Ananthankaadu”. It was only then that Divakara Muni realized who his erstwhile child guest had been. The hermit was stricken with inconsolable grief and for many days followed what, he believed was the route taken by the child foregoing food, rest and sleep in the process.

Finally he reached a wooded area near the sea coast, caught a glimpse of the child disappearing into a huge ‘Ilappa’ tree. Immediately the tree fell into the ground and it assumed the form of Sree Maha Vishnu. The divine form had its head at ‘Thiruvallam’(a place about 3 miles from East Fort at where the Temple of Sree Padmanabha Swamy is located) and its feet at ‘Trippapur’ (5 miles away towards the north). Overawed by the majesty and the size of the divine form, which manifested before him, the Sanyasi prayed to the Lord to condense Himself in size so that he could behold Him. There upon the image of the Lord shrank to size, three times the length of the Sanyasy’s Yoga Dand. His prayers had been granted. He immediately offered a raw mango in a coconut shell(still this offering continues). The Lord ordained that, poojas to Him should be conducted by Tulu Brahmins. To this day half the number of Purohits(priests) in this Temple represents the Tulu region.

Another generally accepted version about the origin of the Temple relates it to the famous Namboothiri sanyasi Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar, whose name is linked with the histories of several temples in Southern India. This Swamiyar was also a Vishnu bhakta. The legend is almost identical to that of Divakara Muni referred above. It is said that, when Sree Maha Vishnu presented himself in the Ananthasayana rupa (in the form of reclining on Anantha) before the sage at Ananthankaadu, the latter had nothing worthwhile to offer Him. From a mango tree standing nearby, he plucked a few unripe mangoes and placed them in a coconut shell lying there and in all humility offered it as ‘Nivedyam’ to the Lord. Even today salted mango forms a major offering. The original coconut shell has been encased in gold. It has also been the practice in the Temple for the past several centuries that the morning ‘Pushpanjali’ is to be performed by a Namboothiri Brahmin sanyasi (designated Pushpanjaly Swamiyar) specially commissioned for this purpose.

In 1729 Marthanda Verma, the King of Travancore renovated the Temple. The old idol was replaced during this period to the one which devotees see today.

In 1758, the Kulasekhara Mandapam was built by under the direction of King Sree Karthika Thirunnal.

Also known in history as the “Golden Temple” is justified by the fact that it was enormously rich during the period. It has been mentioned in several scriptures in Hinduism. In Sangam Tamil literature, the temple finds incredible mentions from devotees and poets who were influential during that period. 

It was and still is a significant pilgrimage from not only vaishnavites but other pilgrims too. Being one of the hundred and eight desams or abodes of Lord Vishnu, it commands higher significance and faith in the people of Kerala and the rest of India.  Legend has it that the temple has also crept up in epic Mahabharata.

The temple, which was constructed in the Chera architectural style, is exclusive to Kerala and the neighboring states since it was built with consideration for the local climate and wind direction. The typical shapes of temples constructed in the Chera style are square, rectangular, octagonal, or star-shaped.

The Main Features of the Temple

• The tower of the temple is quite famous for its fusion of art, architecture, and science exercised by the builders brilliantly. Most of the locals of the vicinity are aware of the magnificence that erupts during the equinox. 
• The temple is facing exactly east at a right angle with the east and west line which brings the spectacle of the sun shining through the space in the tower. 
• The main shrine and the deity are made of saligramam from the Gandaki river in Nepal. Over that is a protective layer of Ayurvedic materials called Katu Sarkara Yogam which helps protect and keep the deity clean. 
• There are exactly 365 pillars in the temple, one for each day of the year. 
• The deity is visible from three doors for darshan or worship. One has to ascend to the mandapam in order to make the darshan. 

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple Mystery and Secrets

• According to many legends, the temple harbors gold concealed in the walls and vaults by the kings of the then kingdom Travancore. Many social activists have appealed to the Supreme Court of India for permission to open the vaults in the public interest. 
• The Padmanabhaswamy temple treasure is approximately 1 crore Rupees worth. In its six vaults, legend says that gold is stuffed which extrapolates its name as “the Golden Temple” in history. 
• The Vault B is thought to be protected by serpents, a fictitious or mythical vampire, and other mystical beings. It is believed that these are the vault’s guards, and anyone who tries to open the doors is supposed to be courting trouble.
• By reciting the potent Naga Paasam Mantra, it is thought that the ancient saints have locked the door to chamber vault B. It can only be opened by a priest who has the deepest understanding and who chants the Garuda Mantra.

The Festivities and Rites 

One of the major festivals celebrated in the temple is Navratri. It is celebrated in full bloom with a lot of people visiting the temple from around the nation and state. 

Other festivities include the Aippasi and the Panguni festivals celebrated bi-annually in the temple. They have an immense significance in Tamil culture and belief system. Some of these festivals also majorly involve the maharajah of the Travancore kingdom. 

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Timings

The darshan timings of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple start from 3:30 AM. The first shift lasts till 12 PM.  The temple then remains shut till 5 PM when the next darshan shift starts and lasts till 8:30 PM. 

People from all over the country make special efforts to visit the temple during the festive season or for normal worship or tour. 

Wrapping the Mystery Up

India has always had a historical story protruding out of its famous temples. It is home to many mythical stories and treasures concealed by ancient men in temples, shrines, and vaults in the most fascinating and unexpected places. 

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram has always been a popular tourist place and a significant and sacred pilgrimage for people. It has not only stood the test of time but also enhanced its significance in society. People have always seen it with respectful fascination and faith being the shrine of the most supreme deity in Hinduism. 

It still remains a mystery and unknown imagination to historians as not every part of the temple is easily revealed. There stand physical, alleged spiritual and mythological barriers to every part and space this temple harbors. We can only hope against hope to reveal what this true masterpiece and majesty holds.