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Renowned for its beauty and grandeur, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple boasts a blend of Kerala and Dravidian style architecture. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams in India and has its mention in the works published by Tamil Azhwars (saints). According to history, the temple’s origin dates back to the 8th century and is one of the abodes of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava tradition.
Quick Details About Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Address: West Nada, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
Presiding Deity: Lord Vishnu, in the reclining posture of Anantha Shayanam
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Timings: 3:30 AM – 4:45 AM, 6:30 AM – 7 AM, 8:30 AM – 10 AM, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM, 12 Noon – 12:20 PM, 4:30 PM – 6:10 PM, 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
How To Reach: The temple is easily accessible by auto rickshaw, taxi, or local bus from various points in Thiruvananthapuram city.
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport (6 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central (3 km)
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Where To Stay: Ekana Homes, Sreevalsam Guest House, Hotel Rajdhani, Hotel Pallava, etc.
Where To Eat: Classic Cafe, Cafe Jade, Hotel Murali, City Queen Restaurant, Black Pepper, etc
About Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Photo: Alaison bennny/ Wikimedia Commons
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Kerala), as mentioned, is one of the 108 Divya Desams in India where Lord Vishnu resides, featuring the staple Dravidian style of architecture. The existence and mentions of this temple date back to scriptures and texts that were written in the 8th century. However, there is contradictory evidence that also highlights that the temple was most likely built in the 16th century under the reign of the Travancore Maharajas.
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History
Photo: JVN5871 / Wikimedia Commons
Legends depict that renowned sage Divakara Muni, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, established the temple. Sage Divakara Muni encountered Lord Vishnu, who appeared in front of him as a small child. However, after interacting for some time, Lord Vishnu appeared in his divine form, advising the sage to build a temple in his honour. Following its establishment, the temple gained more traction under the reign of the Travancore kings. In an act of dedication called ‘Thrippadidanam’, the king dedicated his entire kingdom to Lord Padmanabhaswamy. This contributes to a lot of the temple’s history too.
Architecture
Photo: Alaison bennny / Wikimedia Commons
As you step inside the temple, you will particularly be in awe of the architecture, which is a blend of Dravidian and Kerala styles. The most alluring part of the temple is the idol, which is made from a combination of 12008 Salagramams. The idol is around 18 feet long; and there are three doors to ensure maximum visibility for the devotees. From the first door, you can witness the idol’s head and chest. The midsection of the idol can be seen through the second door and the feet through the third. There are smaller shrines in the temple that are dedicated to other deities including Narasimha, Krishna, and Ganesha.
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Things To Do
1. Seek Blessings Of Lord Padmanabhaswamy
Photo: Aravind Sivaraj / Wikimedia Commons
The main reason behind visiting the temple is to seek blessings from the lord, so that’s your primary priority in the temple. Due to the temple being a tourist hotspot, it is usually crowded with long queues of devotees waiting for their chance to offer their puja and get darshan of the deity. Once you enter the central temple complex, you can seek blessings from the deity for the fulfilment of your wishes.
2. Attend The Unique Temple Festivals
Photo: T M Cyriac / Wikimedia Commons
If you are visiting Thiruvananthapuram in October or November, which coincides with the Alpashy festival, you must visit the temple to witness its grandeur and optimum festivities. Also, during March/April, the Painkuni Festival is celebrated for ten days at a stretch. You can explore the temple during that time as well.
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3. Visit The Temple Museum
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
For those of you interested in knowing more about the temple’s history and how it came to be, you can visit the museum that’s located adjacent to the temple. The museum has artefacts, antique sculptures, and religious paraphernalia, which you can scroll through and explore. You also get a look into the existence and history of the Travancore kingdom.
4. Take A Holy Dip In Padma Theertham
Photo: Shishirdasika / Wikimedia Commons
As mentioned before, Padma Theertham or the temple’s tank is of utmost significance for the devotees. The tank’s water is considered sacred, which explains why several tourists take a dip in the water after offering their prayers to the deity in the temple. It is believed that the holy water in the tank washes away one’s sins and purifies their soul.
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5. Shop For Souvenirs
Photo: Raimond Klavins / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
There are multiple small shops around the perimeter of the temple selling photo frames of the idol, religious artefacts, traditional Kerala handicrafts, etc. If you want to commemorate your visit to the temple, you can take some time after your darshan to go ahead and buy these small souvenirs. You can also find shops selling miniature idols, prayer beads, and traditional attire.
Places to Visit Around
1. Kovalam Beach
Photo: Georgeumartin / Wikimedia Commons
When in Thiruvananthapuram, you must visit Kovalam Beach, which happens to be the most popular beach in the area. The highlight of this beach lies in its crescent-shaped coastline and golden sands. There are limited beach activities due to the strong currents. However, you can swim in the waters and there are catamaran cruise experiences available too.
Distance From The Temple: 13 km
Timings: 24*7
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2. Napier Museum
Photo: Augustus Binu / Wikimedia Commons
The Napier Museum, located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, is a one-stop destination to learn more about Kerala’s rich history and culture. It is located inside Napier Zoo and dates back to the 19th century. There are a variety of galleries including an art museum, an art gallery, Sree Chitra Enclave and even a 3D theatre.
Distance From The Temple: 3 km
Timings: 10 AM – 4:45 PM (Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays)
3. Shankumugham Beach
Photo: Aravind Sivaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Shankumugham Beach is another popular spot to visit from the temple. It is a short drive away and a popular beach destination in Thiruvananthapuram. Plan your visit to this beach during the sunset time since the views are magical. Also, this is the beach that houses the iconic sculpture of ‘Matsya Kanyaka’ that you must have noticed on the internet.
Distance From The Temple: 8 km
Timings: 24*7
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4. Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Photo: Jungpionier / Wikimedia Commons
More commonly known as Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, it is located near the temple. The museum was established by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma and the palace provides you a glimpse into Kerala’s rich historical past. The museum exhibits royal artefacts, paintings, and exquisite wood carvings, all providing a comprehensive look into the royal heritage of the state.
Distance From The Temple: 0.5 km
Timings: 8:30 AM – 1 PM, 3 PM – 5:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
5. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
There are beliefs that your visit to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is incomplete without visiting Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. It is located 2 km from the Vishnu temple and is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. One of the highlights of this temple is its annual Attukal Pongala festival where millions of women gather to prepare the ‘prasadam’. There’s a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of women due to this particular religious activity.
Distance From The Temple: 2 km
Timings: 4:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 5 PM – 8 PM
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Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most significant temples in Kerala, with centuries of history behind it. If you are planning a trip down to Kerala, secure all your bookings with TripXL, and have a solid itinerary that includes all the popular spots like this Vishnu temple. Visiting the temple fills you with a sense of calm and serenity, something that you must experience on your next visit without fail.
Cover Photo: Alaison bennny / Wikimedia Commons
