Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of Kerala state in southern India and is among the oldest cities in the world. The beautiful coastal city is situated on the seaside and it is popular as it lies on seven hills. Popular as Trivandrum, this picturesque and historical city is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. The name of the city literally means ‘the town of Lord Anantha’.
Trivandrum is an extremely popular spot among the spiritual and religious tourists as it is the abode of the sacred serpent on which Lord Vishnu resides. The city is also a major trading hub for spices, ivory, and sandalwood. Many central and state government offices are also present here. Trivandrum is a major hub for educational institutions including the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, Education, and Research.
Kerala state has many temples each with its unique architecture which makes them stand out. These magnificent temples have fascinating stories behind them. Thiruvananthapuram also has many such temples and the major one among them is Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The temple, being among one of the oldest temples in India, attracts many visitors round the year. This temple is significant as it finds a place in ancient texts like the Puranas.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to the Anantha avatar of Lord Vishnu. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a 100-foot tall gopuram and an 18-foot idol of the deity lying on AdiShesha. The special thing about the deity is that He lies in the Ananthasayanam posture.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu and finds mention in old Puranas and Tamil hymns. If you are planning a wider Kerala trip, you can also explore nearby spots like Kovalam beach after your darshan.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Quick Information
| Location | East Fort Of Thiruvananthapuram City in Kerala |
|---|---|
| God | Lord Vishnu – In Resting Posture (Anantha Padmanabha) |
| Temple Timings | 3:30 AM to 7:20 PM (slot-wise darshan) – Noon Break |
| Entry Fee | Free for All (special darshan from Rs. 150) |
| Dress Code | Strict traditional (dhoti for men, saree for women) |
| Photography | Not allowed inside (lockers available) |
| Online Booking | Official website / temple counters |
| Best Time to Visit | Opens entire year – Best time is October to February |
| Entry Restriction | Only Hindus allowed; ID proof required |
Note – For detailed information about Darshan Timing, Entry Fees, Dress Code and Online booking information, refer Padmanabhaswamy Temple details page.
History of Padmanabhaswamy Temple
A Vishnu devotee Divakar Muni used to perform daily rituals and pujas and one day Lord Vishnu appeared before him as a little boy near his ashram and got so fascinated that he requested the boy to stay with him. While leaving the boy asked Muni to come to Ananthankaadu. At Ananthankaadu, he witnessed the boy merging into an Iluppai tree emerging as a Vishnu idol. The Muni prayed to Lord Vishnu to shrink the idol and the idol was shrunk to a size of 18 ft.
Architecture of Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has been influenced by the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple resembles many temples in the Tamil Nadu state and has a tall gopuram with intricate carvings and high walls. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu who is also referred to as the ruler of Travancore.
The royal crown of Travancore is also preserved in the temple. The biggest festival celebrated in the temple is the Laksha Deepam festival. During this festival, a hundred thousand lamps are lit inside the temple premises. The festival is held on Makar Sankranti and marks the end of 12 Bhadradeepams. O-During this festival, the images of Krishna, Padmanabhan, and Narasimha are taken out on Garuda vahana.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Vaults:
The temple has six secret vaults, they were named A to F which are believed to contain massive treasure. Five of these vaults have been opened from which came out gold coins, statues, jewellery, and other valuable items. Vault B remains unopened, it is said to be protected by a mythical curse, attempt to open Vault B stopped because of safety and spiritual beliefs.
Related Information:
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple premises has a treasure in its cellars valued at $ 1 trillion. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is thus the richest in the world. The temple has the image of Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclining on the serpent Anantha with his right hand placed over Shiva lingam. The lord is accompanied by Goddess Lakshmi and Bhudevi. Lord Brahma emanates from Vishnu’s navel. This image of Lord Vishnu is made from 12,000 shaligrams which can be traced back to the Gandaki River in Nepal. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple booking offers special darshan experience for an additional cost.
Hotels near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
These cheapest hotels are located near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. This hotels are provides good amenities with affordable prices.
- Hotel Highland
- Hotel Pratibha Heritage
- Hotel Blue Nest
- Hotel Galaxy INN
- Hotel Saj Luciya
7 Places to Visit near Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
You can visit some other places while on a trip to Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Below are some best tourist places near Padmanabhaswamy temple.
1. Puthenmalika Kuthiramalika Palace:
This is a beautiful palace situated on the east fort near the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The name means the palace of horses and it was built by the Maharaja of the kingdom of Travancore in British India.
| Visiting Hours | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed on Monday) |
| Distance from Temple | 800 meters |
2. Karthika Thirunal Theatre:
This is a popular recreational spot where many people visit to pursue their popular interests. The Karthika Thirunal theatre tourist spot exhibits many attractions and has great architecture and innovative layouts
Distance from Temple: 300 meters
3. Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Palace – Historical Museum in Thiruvananthapuram:
The popular palace museum is located just in front of the Padmanabhaswamy temple and is visited by many people to look at the Chitralayam Museum which has many mirrors, throne, and sculpture that is used by the Maharaja.
| Visiting Hours | 9:00 am to 12:30 pm 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm |
| Distance from Temple | 750 meters |
4. East Fort:
The East Fort is the most bustling region of Trivandrum and sees many tourists as there are many commercial sites around the region.
Distance from Temple: 1 km
5. Pazhavangadi Mahaganapathy Temple – Famous Ganesh Temple in Trivandrum:
Pazhavangadi Mahaganapathy temple is a popular Lord Ganesh temple. The temple is maintained by the Indian Army. Worshippers break coconut before the idol inside the temple.
| Visiting Hours | 4:30 am to 10:45 am 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm |
| Distance from Temple | 350 meters |
6. Kovalam Beach:
This is a renowned beach and is loved by tourists as it has rocky promenades near the beach and has many leisure options. The tourists visit the beach for swimming, sunbathing, and herbal body toning massages. Many cottages and resorts are located on the beach complex.
| Visiting Hours | 24 hours |
| Distance from Temple | 14 km |
7. Shanghumukham Beach:
Shanghumukham Beach is located in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. It is known for its pristine water and soulful sunsets. It is considered the “Arattukadavu” of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan, the presiding deity of the city. Tourists like to visit this place because of its scenic views.
| Visiting Hours | 6:00 am to 6:00 pm |
| Distance from Temple | 8 km |
Conclusion:
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands as a remarkable symbol of Kerala’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. With its deep historical roots and intricate architecture, it attracts devotees and visitors from around the world.
FAQs:
The temple dates back to ancient times and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is known for its rich heritage and cultural significance.
Yes, men must wear dhotis, and women must wear sarees or traditional attire. No western clothes are allowed.
The festivals include Navaratri, Alpasi, and Panguni Uthram, with grand celebrations.
The temple is built in the Dravidian style, known for its grand towers and intricate carvings.
