Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

One of India’s holiest, oldest, and wealthiest temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Overview

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Temple Type: Vaishnavite • Divya Desam • Royal Temple
Deity: Lord Vishnu as Sri Padmanabhaswamy (Anantha Shayana – reclining on the serpent Adishesha)
Architecture: Fusion of Kerala & Dravidian styles
Famous For:

Massive 18-foot deity seen through three doors
Travancore royal family’s sacred connection
Enormous hidden treasures in underground vaults
One of the richest temples in the world
Grand festivals like Alpasi & Painkuni Utsavams

Origin and History

Sthala Purana (Divine Origin)

Local legend tells of Sage Vilwamangalam, a saint with deep spiritual vision. He encountered Lord Vishnu as a playful boy near the temple tank.
The boy suddenly disappeared, and the sage searched through the dense forest. At Ananthankadu, he witnessed the Lord manifesting Himself in a cosmic, endless form reclining on Adishesha, the thousand-headed serpent.

The divine form stretched from Thiruvallom to Trivandrum, spanning miles. The sage prayed for the Lord to remain in Thiruvananthapuram for His devotees. Vishnu contracted Himself into a form suitable for worship, becoming the deity of today’s temple — Padmanabhaswamy, the Lord reclining eternally on Ananta.

Historical Development

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, mentioned in ancient Tamil Vaishnavite texts (Divya Prabandham).
The present structure took shape mainly between the 9th and 18th centuries.
Major renovation and expansion were done by Marthanda Varma, the greatest Travancore king.
In 1749, he performed the sacred Thrippadidanam, dedicating his entire kingdom to the deity. Since then, the rulers of Travancore are known as Padmanabha Dasas (“Servants of the Lord”).
The temple is central to Kerala’s spiritual identity and deeply intertwined with the royal lineage of Travancore.

Treasures and the Mysterious Vaults

Padmanabhaswamy Temple gained global attention when its underground vaults (Kallaras) were opened for evaluation in 2011.

Findings included:

Gold ornaments, coins, crowns
Gem-encrusted idols
Precious stones, diamonds, and antique jewelry
Golden ceremonial attire
Artifacts dating back centuries

The estimated value runs into hundreds of thousands of crores, making it one of the richest temples on earth.

Vault B, believed to be protected by spiritual guardians, remains unopened due to tradition, mysticism, and warnings from temple Tantris.

Architecture and Shrines

Architectural Style

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a spectacular combination of Kerala wooden architecture and Dravidian stone design.

Key elements include:

The Eastern Gopuram

A towering 100-foot, seven-tiered gopuram, richly carved with sculptures of deities and mythological scenes. It serves as the grand entrance to the sacred complex.

The Sanctum (Sreekovil)

The deity inside is unique:

18-foot-long Vishnu, reclining on Ananta
The posture is called Anantha Shayanam (eternal yogic sleep)
The Lord’s head, torso, and feet are viewed through three separate doors, each representing a cosmic aspect
The idol is made of a sacred mixture called Katusarkara Yogam (herbal plaster), renewed periodically
Lakshmi and Bhoomi Devi sit near His feet
A Shiva Lingam is located under His right hand, symbolising cosmic unity

The grandeur of the deity is overwhelming even through the limited view.

Mandapams and Corridors

Long pillared granite corridors encircle the inner sanctum
Stone sculptures of gods, divine beings, and guardians
Beautiful wooden roofs and oil-lamp lit pathways add to the temple’s mystical atmosphere

Temple Tank – Padmatheertham

One of the oldest water tanks in Kerala, used for ritual purification and temple ceremonies.

Sub-Shrines (Upadevatas)

Within the compound are shrines devoted to:

Sri Krishna Swamy
Sri Rama & Hanuman
Narasimha Swamy
Ganesha
Ashtadikpalakas (Guardians of the eight directions)
Yoga Narasimha
Bhagavathy
Garuda

Daily Worship and Rituals

Daily Pooja Practices

Worship follows strict traditions set centuries ago by the Tantrasamuchaya system. Important rituals include:

Nirmalyam – Viewing the deity at dawn
Abhishekam
Usha Pooja
Pantheeradi Pooja (when shadows measure twelve feet)
Uccha Pooja (midday)
Deeparadhana
Athazha Pooja (final ritual of the day)

Only authorized priestly families may perform the rituals.

Dress Code

This temple follows one of the strictest dress codes in India:

Men: Dhoti/Mundu only (upper body uncovered or with angavastram)
Women: Saree, set-mundu; salwar allowed with shawl
Children: Flexible dress rules
Footwear is prohibited beyond the entrance

Festivals

Alpasi Utsavam (October–November)

A major festival featuring:

Grand Kodiyettu (flag hoisting)
Processions led by the Travancore royal family
Temple arts, chenda melam, rituals
Arattu ceremony at Shankumugham Beach

Painkuni Utsavam (March–April)

Another royal festival involving massive participation:

Giant effigies called Pandaram erected near the gopuram
Traditional dances, rituals, and offerings
Final Arattu ritual performed by the royal family

Other Observances

Vaikunta Ekadashi
Laksha Deepam (once every 6 years) — temple lit with 100,000 lamps
Janmashtami
Mandala/Makaravilakku season

Laksha Deepam is considered one of the most visually stunning temple festivals in India.

Temple Timings

Morning: 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
(Timings vary on festival days)

How to Reach

Nearest Airports

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport – 6 km

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) – 1.5 km

Nearby Bus Stations

East Fort Bus Stand – 200 m
Thampanoor Bus Stand – 1.5 km

Local transport: Autos, taxis, app-based rides are widely available.

Accommodation

Pilgrims generally stay in:

Thampanoor – Budget hotels
East Fort – Walking distance to temple
Kovalam (premium beach resorts – 13 km away)

Food Options

Plenty of vegetarian restaurants and Kerala-style eateries around East Fort.

Visitor Tips

Follow dress code strictly — the temple enforces rules stringently
Best times: early morning or late evening
Photography completely prohibited inside
Long queues expected on festival days
Respect traditions — this temple has some of the strictest ritual protocols in India

FAQ

1. Why is Padmanabhaswamy Temple considered the richest temple?
Due to the discovery of priceless treasures in its underground vaults, amounting to billions of dollars in gold, jewels, and artifacts.

2. Why can the deity be seen only through three doors?
Tradition holds that the cosmic form of Vishnu is too vast to be viewed all at once. Each door reveals one part — head, torso, feet.

3. Is non-Hindu entry allowed?
No. Entry is restricted to Hindus.

4. Why is Vault B not opened?
According to temple lore and Tantric tradition, the vault is spiritually sealed and protected.