Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
The gold-plated Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands tall in the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is known as one of the 108 Divya Desams, which is the center of worship for the people who follow Vaishnavism. Trivandrum Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a strict ruling to let the people in only if they follow Hinduism. You will love to see the stunning architecture of this temple, the grandeur of this shrine has a spiritual vibe which is much different from any other place. There is no doubt that the premises of the temple echoes with peace and tranquility. Here are some of the important things about the temple that you must know before visiting the place.Quick Glance
Location: Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Entry Fee: INR 150-180
Evening hours: 5:00 - 6:15 PM, 6:45 - 7:20 PM.
Morning hours: 3:30 - 4:45 AM (Nirmalya Darshanam),
06:30 - 07:00 AM, 08:30 - 10:00 AM,
10:30 - 11:00 AM, 11:45 - 12 PM.
The time required: 2-3 hours
Deity Worshipped: Temple worships Lord Padmanabha which is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
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History of the Temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum is mentioned in the famous scriptures called the Puranas, Padma, Purana, Brahma Purana, etc. The legends have it that a devotee named Divakar Muni did deep tapasiya (Meditation) for Lord Vishnu in this region, and this temple is also known as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras.The story is well-known to most of the pilgrims who visit this temple throughout the year. One of the sages adoring a child for his excess beauty, the sage was instantly connected with the child and didn’t want him to go anywhere. The child agreed to stay but in return, he said Divakar Muni must always treat him nicely. Since then he took good care of the child, but once he was involved with great mischief. The child mishandled the salagram while Divakar Muni was in deep meditation.
This incident enraged the sage and he broke his promise by yelling at the child for his behavior. What happened afterwards became a history, the child began to run as he said, and sage followed his footsteps. The sage did spot the child at a distance who disappeared at a distance into a tree. Soon the tree fell before he could reach and condemned the form of Lord Vishnu which was about 8 miles long. Divakar Muni was overawed with his presence and wanted to embrace him, the lord then condensed himself that was three times the length of the Sanyasi’s Yoga Dand.
The famous offering in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum also comes from this story because when the lord condensed to his true form, Divakar Muni offered him a raw mango in a coconut shell. This tradition is still followed. The lord also wished that the poojaris must be a Tulu Brahmin.
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The Architecture of the Temple
The architecture of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum is an equal amalgamation of Dravidian and the Kerala Style. On visiting this temple you will find many other shrines featuring high walls. You will love to explore the intricate carvings and brilliant architecture of this temple. The structure is done with a beautiful precision of bronze and stone, and the walls are adorned with brilliant paintings and ornate carvings.The architecture of this temple is famous among the tourist for all the right reasons. When you visit the temple, you will notice that the Sree Padmanabha idol reclines magically on the serpent that has five hood and many researchers have described it to be contemplation. The main idol of the lord rests his right hand and he is surrounded by the goddesses all around. The goddesses are called Sridevi (Goddess of prosperity) Bhudevi (Goddess of the earth). In the middle of all the sculptures, emerges Brahma from the Navel of the resting lord.
Temple Has a Dress Code
There are a few temples that have a dress code, and the Shri Padmanabhaswamy is one of them. This temple follows a dress code for men and women. The women can wear required to wear sarees, skirt, and blouse, or half-sarees, while young girls who are below age 12 can wear gowns. The dress codes for men are mundu or a dhoti. However, they can also go with a bare torso, these rulings were very strict in the early days, but it’s been more flexible recently.How to Reach the Temple?
Railway
This place is well-connected with most of the transport platforms from major cities. The Thiruvananthapuram, Central Railway Station is known to be the closest to the temple. It is nearly 8-minute walk.
Bus Route
The nearest bus stop from the temple is Vizhinjam Bus Station; it is around 16km (9mi) away from the main road.
Road Ways
The roadways are always quite convenient because you can get a cab or an auto-rickshaw easily at an affordable cost. The travel will be fast and very comfortable. Travel Tips
To get the taste of this beautiful temple, you have to remember some tips to get the most out of this temple visit. The Shri Padmanabhaswamy is a little different from any other temple because of its ancient history and stunning architecture.1. The visitors must enter the temple barefoot.
2. A particular dress code must be followed while visiting the temple.
3. This temple is strictly limited to the people who follow the Hindu faith.
4. Temple doesn’t allow any mobile phones, cell phones, cameras, or any leather pouch. No electronic gadgets are allowed.
5. Photography is restricted in the temple premises.
This temple is visited by countless devotees every day. The god and goddesses worshipped in this temple are known to be of great importance. This temple is also known for its treasure chest discovery, a trillion-dollar hidden treasure was been found recently from the already well-documented Vault B inside.
Your visit to the temple is not limited to the temple alone; you can explore some of the surrounding locations that are perfect to absorb an additional dose of spirituality. Most of the visitors coming to this place claimed to have a soul-cleansing experience. This place radiates with a different vibe of spirituality.