Padmanabhaswamy temple ( Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple), is a famous Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu, located inside the Fort in city of Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is one of the 108 divya desam,the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra).This is an ancient temple and the city of Thiruvananthapuram derives its name from the name of the presiding deity enshrined in the temple.

The temple has a 100 foot, seven-tier gopuram. The temple stands by the side of a tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings. This corridor extends from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum. An eighty-foot flag-staff stands in front of the main entry from the ‘prakaram’ (corridor). The ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) is known as the ‘Nataka Sala’ where the famous temple art, Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam (festival) conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

In the Garbhagriha, an idol of Vishnu is depicted in a reclining position over the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha. The serpent has his face pointed upwards, as if enjoying the smell emanating from the lotus held in his left hand. His right hand hangs over Shiva. Sridevi and Bhudevi, two consorts of Vishnu stand by his side and the Brahma is seen on a lotus, which emanates from the navel of Vishnu. The idol is made up of 10008 Saligram that compose the reclining Vishnu. These Saligram are from the banks of the river Gandaki in Nepal, brought with much ceremony on elephants. On top of the Saligram, “Katusarkara yogam”, a special ayurvedic mix, was used to make a plaster. The katu sarkara mould keeps the idol free from pests. The abhishekam of the Lord is not a traditional ritual. The daily worship is with flowers and for the abhishekam special separate idols are used. The flowers have always been removed using peacock feathers fearing damaging the katu sarkara on the idol.

There are other important shrines inside the temple for Hindu deities Narasimha, Krishna, Ayyappa, Ganesha and Hanuman. Many other small shrines like Kshetrapalan (who guards the temple), Vishwaksena and Garuda are also present.A unique feature that came to light recently is the fact that Lord Padmanabha’s idol is entirely cast in gold except for the face and chest. Katu sarkara yogam was used to ward off invasion of the temple by the Muslim rulers. The crown of the Lord sporting kundalams in the ears, the huge salagrama mala adorning the chest and the finely chiseled poonal are in gold. The various ornaments covering the chest and the right hand sporting a huge kankanam shielding Lord Siva, the left hand holding a Kamalam are in gold. The stalk of the kamalam rising out of the nabhi is also in splendid gold. The entire length of the Lord’s legs is again cast in gold.

The biggest festival in this temple is laksha deepam, which means hundred thousand (or one lakh) lamps. This festival is unique and commences once in 6 years. Prior to this festival, chanting of prayers and recitation of three vedas is done for 56 days. On the festival time, hundred thousand oil lamps are lit in and around the temple premises.

Getting here

By Air

The Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to this temple.Which is situated 8km from this place.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is the Trivandrum Central Railway station and is easily accessible from the temple.

By Road

Trivandrum is well connected to other places in Kerala by a wide network of roads and this temple can be reached very easily from anywhere in Kerala and Trivandrum.

Distance from various places

Delhi - 2814 KM
Mumbai- 1543 KM
Kolkatta- 2384 KM
Chennai- 708 KM
Kochi- 220 KM

Climate

The city has a tropical climate and therefore does not experience distinct seasons. The mean maximum temperature 34 °C and the mean minimum temperature is 21 °C.December, january and February are the coldest months while March, April and May are the hottest.

Hotels in Thiruvananthapuram

www.thiruvananthapuram.net/hotellist.php