Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Wealth of Heritage)

The Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala in southern India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the most sacred and important temples in India.

The temple's origins are believed to date back to the 8th century AD, although the current structure was built in the 18th century by the rulers of the Kingdom of Travancore. The temple's main deity is Lord Vishnu, who is depicted in a reclining posture on the sacred serpent Anantha.

The temple's architecture is a blend of Kerala and Dravidian styles, with a distinctive gopuram (tower) and mandapam (pavilion) at the entrance. The temple also features several smaller shrines and courtyards, as well as a large tank (pond) known as Padma Theertham.

One of the most unique features of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the presence of an underground vault that was discovered in 2011. The vault is said to contain vast amounts of treasures, including gold, silver, and precious stones. The value of these treasures is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, making it one of the richest temples in the world.

The temple is also famous for its festivals, including the Navaratri festival in which the temple is beautifully decorated with flowers and lights. The festival culminates in the famous Arattu procession, in which the deity of Lord Padmanabhaswamy is taken out in a grand procession to the nearby Shangumugham Beach for a ritualistic bath.

Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations and expansions, with many rulers and patrons contributing to its upkeep and maintenance. Today, the temple is managed by a trust established by the Travancore royal family, and it continues to be a major pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world.

However, the temple has also been the subject of controversy in recent years. In 2011, when the underground vaults were discovered, there were allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the temple's administration. The Supreme Court of India intervened and appointed a committee to manage the temple's affairs and inventory its treasures.

Despite these controversies, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple remains an important and sacred site for Hindus, and its rich history and cultural significance continue to draw visitors from all over the world.

Facts about sri padmanabha swamy temple

Here are some interesting facts about Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple:

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are the most sacred Vishnu temples in India.

The deity of Lord Padmanabhaswamy is 18 feet long and is made of a unique combination of 12008 Salagramams (sacred stones) from the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal.

The temple's gopuram (tower) is 100 feet tall and is one of the tallest in Kerala.

The temple has a strict dress code for visitors, with men required to wear a dhoti or mundu and women required to wear a saree or long skirt.

The temple has six daily poojas (rituals), and the Usha Pooja (morning worship) is considered the most important.

The temple has a unique musical instrument called the 'Nadaswaram', which is played during special occasions and festivals.

The temple is famous for its mural paintings, which date back to the 18th century and depict scenes from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The temple has a large pond called Padma Theertham, which is believed to have healing powers and is used for ritualistic bathing.

The temple's annual festival Navaratri is celebrated with great pomp and show and attracts thousands of devotees from all over India.

The temple's underground vaults, discovered in 2011, are believed to be the largest collection of treasures in India, with an estimated worth of billions of dollars.