Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple

Sree Anandha Padmanabha Swami Temple popularly known as Sree Padmanabhaswami Kshetram is one of the 108 sacred Vaishnava Temples or Divya Desams in India, situating in Kizhakkekotta (East fort), Trivandrum- the capital city of Kerala, India. The city name 'Thiruvananthapuram’ itself has originated from three words ‘Thiru’, ‘Anandhan’, and ‘Puram’ literally means ‘The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy (or) the land of Lord Vishnu. 

The History of the Temple

The history of Sree padmanabhaswamy temple dates back to 8th Century. One of the twelve Alvars, (8^th Century) had created four Slokas and one Phalasruthi about the temple. The temple had referred in the Hindu epics and Puranas such as, Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana, and Vaayu Purana. It is believed that Sree -Padmanabhaswamy Temple and its properties were maintained by Ettuveettil Pillamaar – the eight powerful Nair feudal lords of ancient Travancore. Later Sree Marthanda Varma Anizham Thirunal suppressed the Ettuveetil Pillai(s) and took over the control and constructed the current structure of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

In 3rd January 1750, Maharajah Marthanda Varma dedicated the kingdom of Travancore to Lord Padmanabha/ Vishnu and he vowed that the royal family will rule the state on behalf of Lord and he and his descendants would 'serve' the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa (or) the Servant of Lord Vishnu. Since then the name of every Travancore King was preceded by the title Padmanabha- Dasa, while the female were called Padmanabha Sevinis. The donation of the kingdom of Travancore to Padmanabha- Swamy was known as “Thrippadidhaanam”. After dedicating the kingdom to the Lord, Marthanda Varma was known as Sri Padmanabha Vanchipala Marthandavarma Kulasekaraperumal.

After the death of Marthanda Varma in 1758, all the succeeded kings of Travancore took great care in continuing the daily Poojas (Daily sacrifices) and ceremonies of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple intact and also rule the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa. The successors of Marthanda Varma were Dharma Raja, Balarama Varma, Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, Gowri Parvati Bayi, Swathi Thirunal, Uthram Thirunal, Ayilyam Thirunal, Visakham Thirunal, Moolam Thirunal, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, Chithira Thirunal and Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma also keeps the words of Marthanda Varma and is very loyal to Sree Padmanabhaswamy and maintains the temple rituals and ceremonies intact.

The Art and Architecture of the temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is renowned for its Architecture and great arts including, sculptures, metal works, mural paintings, wood carvings etc. The Architecture of this temple is the magnificent blend of Kerala and Dravidian style architecture. In other words it is the majestic example of south Indian Architecture with seven storied tower known as Gopura(m).

Gopura(m):- The seven storied Gopuram of Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple has built in the eastern entrance about 35 meters height. The top of the Gopuram provided with seven golden domes representing seven worlds and the ten incarnation forms of Lord Vishnu had portrayed in the first storey of the Gopuram. The other three entrances are double storied Padippuras in typical Kerala style. Entry to the upper levels of the Gopuram is restricted.

Entrances:- The temple has nine entrances indicating the nine orifices of human  body.

Ottakkal Mandapam:- The Ottakkal Mandapam ( Single stone Platform) of the temple built with a single slab of granite which is two and half thick and twenty feet square. The divine sacraments (Abhishekam) to the Lord Vishnu are performed in this Mandapam. The granite pillars of this Mandapam are covered with gold.

Abhisravana Mandapam:- This structure is situating in front of the Ottakkal Mandapam representing the  sanctum sanctorum. This Mandapam is allocated for special Pooja(s), meditation and prayers of the Devotees.

Kulasekhara Mandapam:- Kulasekhara Madapam of the temple is the fine example of marvellous stone works also known as Aayiramkaal Mandapam/ Sapthaswaramandapam. The pillars which are in the four corners of this Mandapam can produce musical noted when tapped. The pillars are carved with adorable figures in half and full relief.

Dwaja Stambham:- An eight feet high teak pole near the eastern corridor was installed by Anizham Thirunal. The teak pole completely covered with golden foils and the apex of the flag pole representing the kneeling posture of figure of Garuda.

Sreebalippura:- Sreebalippura of this temple is a rectangular corridor built of stone. The historical evidences says that four thousand artisans, six thousand laborers, and hundred elephants worked for a period of six months to finish the construction of this corridor structure. The Sreebalippura is supported by carved marvelous pillars.

Padmatheertham:- It is the large water source located in the east side of the temple. It is one of the oldest water bodies in Trivandrum.

Importance of the Idol 

The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy(Lord Vishnu) is made up of 12008 Saalagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top. On top of them Katusarkara Yogam, Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster.

The Festivals of temple

Chathurdhi, Thiruvonam, Ashtami Rohini, Navaraathri Pooja, Valiya Ganapathi Homam, Alpasi Ilsavam, Mandalachirappu, Swargavathil Ekadasi, Bhadradeepam, Kalabham, Painkuni Ulsavam, Shivaraathri, Sreerama Navami, Vishu, Karkkidaka Sreebali, Sree Veda Vyasa Jayanthi, Niraputhar, Murajapam, Laksha deepam, Vinayakachathurdhi etc... are the various festivals of the temple.

The Hidden Wealth of the Temple

In 2011, the Supreme Court of India directed the authorities from the fire services and Archaeology Department to open the sanctum sanctorum (secret chambers) of the temple for inspection of its wealth kept inside. According to this order the inspections regarding the temple’s wealth began after the Supreme Court set aside a Kerala High Court order that the state government take over the temple, but asked for the inventory of its assets.

On 2 July 2011, approximately Rupees 500 billion (US$11.15 billion) worth of gold, jewels, and other treasures were unearthed in the vaults of the temple. As per the evaluation of the value of treasures found from the underground cellars of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple there is around 1,00,000 crore rupees (1 Lakh Crore Rupees)There are 6 cellars in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple that were marked from A to B. Among them the cellars A and B are not opened for past 150 years. Other cellars were containing precious items for festivals, daily Poojas etc.

The detailed list of treasures found in the temple includes, One Lakh Gold coins, Gems, precious diamonds like Indraneelam, Belgium Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, 1200 Sarappoli, Gold chains, Gold crowns like Kulasekhara-Perumal crown which was used by king of Travancore, Kashumaala(Necklaces), 400 Golden Necklaces with Marathakam stone, more than 2000 gold ornaments, Swarna Thalika(Gold plates), Gold chains up to 3 and 10.5 kg and of about 18 ft, golden Idol of Lord Vishnu, Gold Dhanus, Gold Pathakkams, 4 feet golden statue of Lord Vishnu, Golden utensils, Thankakkuda(Golden umbrellas), Golden pots, Gold Vaarppu (Bigger utensil), Gold and Silver Nilavilakku(Lamps),Gold Dharakidaram Kudumudi Narayam, Gold Shiva Idols, Gold rings, Gold Thaali etc.

This revelation has solidified the status of the Padmanabhaswamy temple as one of the wealthiest temples in India.

Bibliography

http://www.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmanabhaswamy_Temple

Photo Credit
The Author