Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Seek the blessings of Lord Padmanabha – Lord Vishnu who rules over the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram! Known as the Land of Lord Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram derives its name from the presiding deity of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.  The deity is also called Anantha Swamy (one who reclines on the Serpent Anantha).  The holy tank – Padma Theertham is also related to the name.

The Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple shrine is extolled in the Puranas as one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Reputed as the wealthiest temple in the world, the aura of mystery and grandeur of the temple leaves you amazed! 

In 1750, the reigning King Marthanda Varma dedicated the whole kingdom of Travancore to Lord Padmanabha (Thripadidanam). He pledged that he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasas. The magnificent temple was also the focus of media reports and press coverage due to the incredible wealth discovered in its underground vaults.

Located amid the Trivandrum city, the temple is one of the must-see places in Trivandrum.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Legend

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has several interesting legends behind it. It was known as Sayanandoorapuram in the earlier days, and a popular belief is that Lord Balarama visited it. Sri Anantha Padmanabha had given darshan to many rishis like Divakara Muni and Vilvamangalam Swami in the reclining pose (Sayana) in the forest called Ananthan Kaadu. 

In Kerala Mahatmyam part of the Brahmananda Purana, it is said that Lord Parasurama established the idol of Sree Padmanabha in Dwapara Yuga.

As per legends, it is said that Divakara Muni, a holy saint of the Tulu community, was visited by a little boy while doing Puja. The boy started to be mischievous and put the Saligrama in his mouth.  Divakara Muni scolded the boy & he disappeared with the words “if you want to see me again, come to Ananthan Kaadu”. The sage then realised that it was Lord Krishna who had come to him in disguise. He started searching for him & later found the boy, who then disappeared into a huge Iluppa tree. The tree then fell and took the form of Lord Vishnu in Ananthasayanam posture stretching several miles long from Thiruvallam to Thiruppapur. The sage requested forgiveness and beseeched the Lord to shrink to a smaller size. A temple was built here & the same deity was being worshipped till the reign of Marthanda Varma. 

In another legend, sage Vilvamangalam Swamiyar prayed to Lord Vishnu for his darshan. The Lord came in the gu as a little boy who defiled the Idol kept for Puja. The sage chased away the boy who disappeared afterwards.  Realising his mistake, the sage wept for forgiveness. He heard a voice asking him to come to the Anathavana. After searching for long, he listened to a lady warning her child that she would throw him in Ananthankadu. 

Based on the directions of the lady he went to Ananthankadu and saw the boy merging into an Iluppa tree (Indian Butter Tree) which then fell and became Anantha Sayana Moorti. The saint requested the Lord to shrink to a smaller size. He offered Rice Kanji and Uppumanga (salted mango pieces) in a coconut shell to the Lord which he got from the pulaya woman. Even today Rice Kanji is offered to the lord in a gold coconut shell. 

As many trees obstructed his view and he could see the Lord in three parts – Thirumukham, Thiruvudal and Thrippadam which is followed in the temple even today.

History

The ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to the 8th century and is believed to be located at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. The temple has references in the ancient Purana texts like the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is regarded as one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India (the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu).  Apart from that, the Temple finds mention in the Sangam Period of literature between 500 BCE and 300 CE several times. 

The powerful Travancore King Marthanda Varma built the present-day structure of the temple. A new deity was made out of 1,200 Saligramas with a unique mixture & installed in the temple.

Physical Structure

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a true symbol of a blend of exquisite Chera & Dravidian style of architecture. It was built as a replica of the Adikesavaperumal Temple in Thiruvattar.  Standing majestically beside the holy tank called Padma Theertham (the lotus spring) the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a seven-storey tower at the entrance which is about 35 meters in height. Sculptures in stone and bronze, the mural paintings and wood carvings adorn the temple.  The temple features a broad Corridor with 365 and 1/4 sculpted Granite Stone Pillars with exquisite carvings along with an  80-feet long flag post covered in gold sheets.

The Bali Peeda Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam & Navagraha Mandapam are halls in the temple decorated with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities. 

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

About the Deity

Prathishta (Presiding Deity)

Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of the temple. It is enshrined in the “Anantha Shayana” posture, the eternal yogic sleep of Lord Vishnu on the serpent Adi Shesha or Anantha, the hooded Serpent. The idol is renowned for its composition of 12008 salagramams, brought from Nepal which was taken from the banks of the River Gandhaki.

The sanctum sanctorum of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple consists of a stone slab and the 18 ft long main idol. The idol can be viewed through three different doors symbolic to the Thirumukam, Thiruvudal and Thrippadam as seen be Vilvamangalam Swamiyar. The head and chest of the idol can be viewed through the first door; the hands can be seen through the second door and the feet through the third door.

Upadevatha (Sub Deities)

Thekkemadom and Thiruvambadi are the main Upadevathas of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple representing Ugra Narasimha and Krishna Swami respectively. The Divine Charioteer of Arjuna is the Lord of Thiruvambadi – Parthasarathi. The granite idol of Thiruvambadi was brought from Gujarat by 72 families of Vrishni Vamsa Kshatriyas belonging to the lineage of Lord Krishna. The Lord is dressed and decorated as Mohini on Ekadasi days. 

Shrines of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Vishwaksena (the Nirmalyadhari of Vishnu and Remover of Obstacles), Vyasa, Ganapati, Sasta, and Kshetrapala are the other Upadevathas of the temple. Garuda and Hanuman deities are worshipped in the Valiya balikkal area. The thevara idols of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma are also worshipped inside the temple.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Festivals

Alpasi & Painkuni Ulsavam

The annual festivals of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple are celebrated bi-annually in the months of Thulam (Alppasi) and Meenam(Painkuni). Anujna, Mannuneeru Koral, Mula Pooja, Kalasam, etc. are the main functions. The ten-day festival starts with Kodiyettu(flag hoisting) & ends in the Pallivetta and Arat processions.

Chingam 1st

Several devotees visit the temple on the Malayalam New Year Day.

Vinayaka Chathurthi

Celebrated on the Chathurthi day of Chingam. The Ganesh idol near the Sreerama Shrine is offered Special offerings and Deeparadhana on the Vinayaka Chathurthi day. ‘Chirappu’ is an offering for the Agrashala Ganapathi.

Thiruvonam

As the Thirunal (Birthday) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, it is a significant celebration at this Temple. Onavillu is submitted to the Deities.

Ashtami Rohini

The birthday of Sree Krishnaswamy is celebrated in the month of Chingam. Special decorations and offerings like Milk Abhishekam are done at the temple.

Navarathri Pooja

Navarathri festival is celebrated with pomp & splendour at the temple. The idol of Sree Saraswathi Amman is brought from Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari District in a grand procession and worshipped traditionally in the Navarathri Mandapam at the Valiya Kottaram complex. Sree Kumaraswamy idol from Kumarakovil and Sree Muthuttee Nanga from Suchindram is also brought in to accompany the Goddess. A huge number of devotees throng to the temple for darshan.

Valiya Ganapathi Homam

Tharananalloor Namboodiripads, Tantries of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple perform the Homam two days before the Navarathri Festival starts.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Swargavathil Ekadasi

Many devotees visit the temple on the Swargavathil Ekadasi as it is considered a very auspicious day of Maha Vishnu. Special poojas, offerings and night Siveli mark the occasion.

Bhadradeepam

On the days of summer and winter solstices, the Bhadradeepappura is opened, and special poojas are made. These rituals are called Bhadradeepam.

Kalabham

Done in the last six days of Dhanu and Midhunam, Kalabham is conducted for seven days. Sandal paste is applied on the idols during the Kalabham function.

Sivarathri

The Shivarathri is considered a very auspicious day of Lord Shiva. Special Abhishekam is done to Shiva residing in the Sanctum of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Sree Rama Navami

The birthday of Sree Rama is celebrated here with special poojas.

Karkataka & Makara Sreebali

Karkataka & Makara Sri Bali is observed at the temple with much celebration.

Sree Veda Vyasa Jayanthi

On the full moon day of Karkidakam, Sree Veda Vyasa Jayanthi is celebrated to honour the great sage Vyasa who is enshrined in the temple.

Niraputhari

This is symbolic of the harvest festival. Sheaves of grain are ceremoniously brought to the Temple & worshipped on the Niraputhari day. Later they are distributed to devotees.

Lakshadeepam

Meaning One lakh lamps. The whole Temple is adorned with lamps on the concluding day of Murajapam Sri Bali (Procession).

Murajapam

Fifty-six days of Veda chanting, Sahasranama Japam (thousand names of Maha Vishnu) and rituals are celebrated once in six years at the temple.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Offerings 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy

Meni Thulapayasam, Palpayasam, Sarkara Payasam, Neypayasam, Thrimadhuram, Pongal, Unniappam, Aval, Aravana, Ksheeerabhishekam, Panchamritham, Ashtothara Archana, Sahasranama Archana, Purushasooktha Archana, Bhagyasooktha Archana, Aikyamathyasooktha Archana, Santhanagopala Archana, Vidhyadiraja Archana, Swayamwara Archana, Narayanasooktha Archana, Valsan, Ottayada, Panakam, Sudarshana Archana, Lakshminarayanamantha Archana, Samvada Sooktham, Neyvilakku etc. 

Sree Narasimha Swamy

Sathrudosha parihara Archana, Dhanwanthary Archana, Sahasranama Archana, Ney Vilakku,  Bhagyasooktha Archana, Sudarshana Archana, Panakam, Palpayasam, Palpayasam, Aval (Narasimhaswamy), Atta vilakku, Astothara Archana, Aikyamathya sooktham, Aval etc.

Sree Krishnaswamy

Swayamvara Archana, Sudarshana Archana, Lakshmi Narayana mantra Archana, Ney Vilakku, Palpayasam, Aval etc.

Sree Sastha

 Astothara archana, Neeranjanam, Panakam, Ney Vilakku

Agrashala Ganapathy

 Astothara Archana, Sreemaha Ganapathi Homam, Modakam

Sree Rama Swami

Aval

Veda Vyasar

Vidhyarambham

Other Poojas

Vidyarambham

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Darshan timings

The darshan timings are subject to changes during festivals and other special occasions. The darshan time is reduced on festival occasions for performing the special poojas.

Dress code and entry rules

Gents: Kerala white Mundu or Mundus of a single colour like Saffron, Black or Navy Blue & Angavastram (small shawl) are allowed.

Ladies should wear Sarees or Kerala Set Mundu, skirt and blouse, or half sari. Churidars or shirts/tops etc. are not allowed.

Location

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located in the town centre, just 2 km away from the main market at East Fort (Kizhakkekotta) & the Bus stand.

Getting there

Nearest Airport

Trivandrum Airport is the nearest airport to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. You can reach the temple by hiring a taxi to reach East Fort. Buses and Autos are also available.

Nearest Railway Stations

The Central Railway Station in Thampanoor, Trivandrum is the nearest railway station.  The temple is only 1 km from the station. You can take a taxi to reach the temple.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Contact details

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple,
West Nada, East Fort,
Pazhavangadi,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala 695023

Interesting Questions on Padmanabha Swamy Temple

How to reach Padmanabha Swamy Temple by train?

Get off at the Central Railway Station, Thampanoor and then take a Taxi or Auto to the temple.

How to reach Padmanabha Swamy Temple from Kanyakumari?

The temple is 93 km away from Kanyakumari and can be reached by renting a car.

What are Padmanabha Swamy Temple timings?

Padmanabhaswamy Temple opens at 3.30 am – 12 noon in the morning and 5 pm to 7.20 pm.

What to wear in Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Gents can wear Mundu and Angavasthram and ladies can wear Sarees, Churidhars, Skirts & blouses at the temple.

When was Padmanabhaswamy Temple built?

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is said to be built in the 8th century.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Nearby temples

Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple

Lord Ganesha blesses all at the Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple! Located at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City, the temple lies near the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple. The temple is visited by thousands of ardent devotees of Lord Ganesha as they believe the lord fulfils the deepest wishes and fixes the most complex problems of his devotees.

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Invoke the blessings of Attukalamma! Known as the Sabarimala of Women, the Attukal Bhagavathy or Attukal Amma Temple is the oldest temple in South India situated 2.5 km away from Padmanabhaswamy temple. The temple is devoted to Goddess Bhagvathy who is an incarnation of Devi Parvati. The temple walls are adorned by paintings of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and the Goddess on the external wall.

Vellayani Devi Temple

Goddess Durga blesses you at the Vellayani Devi Temple! Lying about 10 km away from Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Kaliyootu Mahotsavam, a very famous festival, is held here once for three years. Childless couples come here to worship the Devi.

Hanuman Swamy Temple

Lord Hanuman blesses his devotees at the Hanuman Swamy temple located in Palayam about 5 km from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Known as the principal Hanuman Temple in Kerala & devotees worship for strength and integrity.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Places to visit near Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Padmanabhapuram Palace

A peek into the life of the Travancore ruling dynasty! The ancient Padmanabhapuram Palace built in the 16th century is a typical example of superior art and craftsmanship of Kerala. The Wooden Palace is well-known for its murals, artefacts, floral carvings, carved royal furniture & painted ceilings of the ‘Thaikkottaram’ or the Queen Mother’s Palace. All these make the Padmanabhapuram palace worth a visit!

Kanakakkunnu Palace

This magnificent Kanakakkunnu takes back visitors to the glorious past of Kerala! Located 0.5 km from Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the palace is a typical example of the architectural beauty of Kerala. The red-brick exteriors of the Palace, along with the gables & pagoda-shaped dome, adds more to its grandiose. A place not to be missed!

Napier Museum

Check out the Napier Museum just 4 km away from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a huge collection of archaeological and historical artefacts like ancient ornaments, bronze idols, Stone sculptures and a 400-year- old Clock.

Kuthiramalika Palace Museum

An epitome of the typical Kerala architecture! The Kuthira Malika or the “Horse Palace” is an 18th Century Palace 0.5 km away from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. With 80 spacious rooms, the Palace houses a museum with Armory of Kings, Portraits, Thrones and several other artefacts. Wooden carvings, Chandeliers, Belgian Mirrors, intricately carved marble sculptures etc. A place definitely worth a visit!

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Shankumugham Beach

Live the beach life at the Shanghumukham Beach 6 km from the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple! An ideal place to admire the beauty of Sunset! The Traffic Park & the 35 m long Matsya Kanyaka (Mermaid) statue are the major attractions in this beach.

Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam

Visit Lighthouse Beach to see amazing sunsets! The southernmost beach of Kovalam lies 15 km away from Padmanabhaswamy temple and can be reached by hiring a taxi. It’s also the most frequented beach.  An excellent place to swim and have beach fun! 

Anjengo Fort

Remnants of the British Raj! About 36 km away from the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple lies the Anjengo Fort, a strategic garrison built by the British! The Fort also became a signal station and a lighthouse later. It has a cemetery within which is believed to be one of the oldest burial sites almost as old as 1704.

For free travel consultation through WhatsApp. Contact us now.

Options: Swift DZire, Innova, Tempo Traveller (12 to 19 Seater), Coaches.

Your benefits of booking with us

• ✔️ Transparent fares
• ✔️ Guaranteed reservations
• ✔️ On-time Pickups - zero wait times
• ✔️ Well maintained cabs
• ✔️ Professional chauffeurs who can communicate in Tamil, Hindi, English, Malayalam
• ✔️ Experienced chauffeurs who are well aware of the routes and sightseeings
• ✔️ 24x7 Customer Service over WhatsApp
• ✔️ Easy Online Booking with cashless payments
• ✔️ Free Cancellation up to 72 hrs before pickup date
• ✔️ Quality – No Compromises
• ✔️ Proudly serving customers across the world since 1992