A visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Trivandrum, Kerala. This is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. The temple is presently run by a trust controlled by the royal family of Travancore. 

The main Deity Padmanabha Swamy, is protected in the "Anantha-sayanam" stance. The Maharajah of Travancore stands the title, "Sree Padmanabhadasa’ which means Servant of Padmanabha Swamy

The deity is made of 12,000 saligramams. These saligrams are brought from the Gandaki River in Nepal. The deity of Sripadmanabha is protected with, Katusarkara yogam and the daily worship is done with flowers.

Those who own the Hindu belief are permitted to enter the temple. Devotees have to firmly follow the dress codes. The Samadhi of the Swamiyar is situated in the west of the temple. A Krishna temple was also constructed over the Samadhi.  

The platform in front of the vimanam is where the deity rests. These are both carved out of a single massive stone and hence it is called "Ottakkal-mandapam." The Ottakkal-mandapam were cut out of a rock from Thirumala, about 4 miles north to the temple, measuring 20 feet square and 2.5 feet thick. It was brought and placed in front of the deity in the month of Edavom

Deity is visible through three doors, the appearance of the resting Lord and Siva Linga underneath the hand can be seen through the first door. Sridevi and Divakara Muni in Katusarkara, Brahma seated on a lotus, gold abhisheka moorthies of Lord Padmanabha, Sridevi and Bhudevi, and silver utsava moorthi of Padmanabha can be seen through the second door. The Lord's feet, and Bhudevi and Kaundinya Muni in Katusarkara can also be seen through the third door.

Only the King of Travancore may perform sashtanga namaskaram, on the "Ottakkal Mandapam". It is traditionally held that anybody who prostrates on the mandapam has surrendered all that he owns to the Deity. Since the ruler has previously done that, he is permitted to prostrate on this mandapam.

Among the six kallaras in the Temple, Bharatakkon Kallara is very closely associated with Sri Padmanabhaswamy. It is not at all part of the Temple Treasury. The holy Chamber houses a Srichakram, and many valuables are meant to enhance the potency of the Principal Deity. Kanjirottu Yakshi also resides in the chamber that we worship Lord Narasimha. The enchanting forms of this Yakshi is painted on the south-west part of the temple.

Supreme Court of India in the presence of the Head Trustee of Travancore have opened the six secret vaults. They have discovered approximately $ 22 billion worth valuable gold in the form of, diamond golden utensils, weapons, golden elephants idols etc. With this Padmanabha Swamy of Thiruvananthapuram is known as the richest God on the earth..

This chamber is currently being conserved by the Trust members and other erudite Astrologers from various part of the world and is considered, holy and risky and dangerous as the steel door of the Chamber is having two big Cobra portraits on it and this door has no nuts or other latches.

A door of such a secret treasury can be opened by a highly learned ‘Sadhus’ or ‘Mantrikas’ who are familiar of extracting ‘Naga Bandham’ or ‘Naga Pasam’ by intoning a ‘Garuda Mantra. So the door can't be opened by any means by anyone. At present no one in the world has such a power who know how to perform highly sacred ‘Garuda Mantra’.

If you are wondering how to reach the temple, it is easy, Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple is near to the centre of capital of Kerala state. The temple is located at a place called East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram.

By Flight- After you reach Trivandrum Airport , you can travel in a KSRTC bus or Taxi towards East Fort. From East Fort it is only a walkable distance towards Temple.

By Train – It’s easier by Train. You can get down at Central Railway Station in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram.  From there it is only 1 km towards the temple. You should take a Autorikshaw towards the temple.

Have a nice visit!