SREE PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE

The Temple has references in Epics and Puranas. Srimad Bhagavatha says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham and made several offerings. Nammalwar, 9th century poet and one among the 12 Vaishnavite saints of the Alvar tradition, has composed ten hymns in praise of Lord Padmanabha. On the 950th year of Kali Yuga a reinstallation of the idol was done. In the 960th Kali Yuga year King Kotha Marthandan built the Abhisravana Mandapam.

It was in the year 1729 that the great ruler Marthanda Varma became the king of Travancore. He took the steps to renovate the Temple. In 1730 the idol was again moved to ‘Balalaya’ prior to the renovation and reconstruction of the sanctum sanctorum. It took two years for completion. The old wooden idol was replaced by the one that we see today. Made of highly complex amalgam known as Katusarkarayogam, it contains 12008 Salagrams within it. Most of what is seen today within the walls of the temple were constructed. It is recorded that 4000 sculptors, 6000 labourers and 100 elephants worked for a period of 6 months to finish the construction of the sreebalippura (the oblong corridor). This magnificent rectangular corridor built of solid stones protects the Deities during seeveli on rainy days. The gopuram for which the foundation had been laid in 1566, was built during this period. Similarly the flag-staff in front of the main shrine was also erected at this time. Teak wood of required size was brought from the forest for this purpose and transported to the Temple in such a way that no part of the wood touched the ground. The pole was then covered completely with gold sheets. The renovation of the Temple tank, the Padmatheertham, including the flight steps and its completion in the form we see it today was also undertaken during this great ruler’s time.

Fifth Makaram 925ME, 19th or 20th January 1750AD, stood witness to the act of a sublime dedication and the ultimate offering possible for a crowned head – the Thrippadi Danam. After the completion of certain religious ceremonies Maharaja Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma arrived in the Temple along with the male family members, his trusted Diwan and other officials. In presence of the Swamiyar, members of the Yogam and Brahmins the Maharaja submitted to Sree Padmanabha Prajapati, his entire State of Travancore along with his total right on it thereof by placing the Crown, the royal umbrella, the twin white Chauries (fans), the Manikandha – which were all symbols of royalty, along with some thulasi leaves on the Mandapam. Last but most significant, he placed his famous sword (the unquestioned insignia of sovereign authority which the King valued the most and which had lashed its unleashed velour in countless battle fields) in the steps of the Ottakkal Mandapam. Even before this, that the male members of the royal family, at the age of one, ware laid on the Ottakkal mandapam and surrendered to Sree Padmanabhaswamy as His own, gaining the supreme title ‘Sree Padmanabha Dasa’.

In 1758, during the reign of Sree Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, the fabulous Kulasekhara Mandapam was build. It is a marvelous and fantastic architectural work on stone. It is also known as Aayiramkal Mandapam and Sapthaswara Mandapam. It is supported by 28 balustrades of pillars. The pillars on the four corners can produce musical notes when taped.

In 1820 a very big mural mirroring the Ananthasayanam, which is termed as the biggest in the temple murals of Kerala, was drawn during the period of Rani Goury Parvathi Bayi.

Among the rulers of the erstwhile Travancore Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma ranks as one among the most illustrious royal personalities, who ruled in his dual capacity as Dasa and Ruler. He ruled as a Sage among Kings. The Kshethra Praveshan Vilambram or the Temple Entry Proclamation was in 1936 which was the epoch-making event of the Maharaja’s religious and political life. This Proclamation, issued on the eve of his twenty forth birthday, has been considered by evaluators as the most socially progressive and religiously liberal ordinance enacted in India. It was a revolutionary and courageous action initiated for the first time in the country towards the eradication of untouchability. The rest of India followed his footsteps.

Both the Thrippadi Danam and the Kshethrapraveshana Vilambaram made history and stand out by themselves as lasting tributes to the vastness of heart and sublimity of conception of those who visualized them.

In 1991, after the demise of Sree Padmanabha Dasa Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma, Sree Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma assumed charge of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. In compliance with the sanction already accorded by Sree Chithira Thirunal, Sree Uthradam Thirunal conducted the Kodi Archana in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. In 1992, Maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal’s personal worship idols were installed inside the Temple premises.

Sculptures :

The diety can be seen through three doors. The first one shows the face of Lord, the Sivalingam and the hand of Lord beneath it. Second door opens to the lotus emerging from the navel of Lord with Lord Bramha seated on it. On the side of Lord Sreedevi seated and Divakaramuni on the Kattusarkara ( it is an ayurvedic mix to keep the diety clean). The view from third door is Lord's feet, Bhoodevi sitting beside it and Kaudanya muni on Kattusarkara.

Wonderful Carved statues on the gopuram of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Last Chamber of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple:

This secret door of the temple holds much secret knowledge. The only hunch is that door can be only opened by an enchanted sound wave which was long lost in time. The last door of Padmanabha Swami temple is potraited with two cobras it has no nuts, no locks, no latches and nothing. It is believed that the last door is fixed with NAGA BANDANAM or NAGA PASAM. It was fixed by the "Sidha sadhus" at the time of Marthandavarma. The door can only opened by highly scholared Sidha purushas by chanting Garuda mantra. According to the legend and the famous astrologers from around the world are claiming that if anyone tries to open it other than by the legendary method, destruction would fall upon humanity. The biggest problem of all is that at present there doesn't exist such a SIDHA PURUSH who can open the LAST DOOR with the Garuda mantra.

The main shrine represents Aananda Shayanam. Vishnu reclining on a five hood serpent who is named as Anandan whose hoods are facing inwards. In the shrine Lord's right hand is placed over a Sivalingam ; a representation of Lord Siva. By his either side two of his consorts Sridevi; godess of prosperity and Bhoodevi; godess of earth . The most critical part of the shrine is where a lotus emanated from the navel of Lord on which the Lord Bhrama resides. The deity is made up of 12000 saligrams which were collected from the banks of Gandagi river and the saligrams had undergone certain rituals in the Pashupathinath temple in north west of Kaadmandu.  The deity rest on the platform in the front of the tower of Santum sacturm which were carved from a single stone and is known as "Ottakal mandapam". The stone for the Ottakal mandapam was cut out from Thirumala.

The Temple of Sri Padmanabha Swami had its dramatic turn with in this one and half year after finding the one of the greatest treasure in it's kallaras. As a matter of fact, the findings of the treasure have neither affected the rituals nor the timings. They are same as before. The only visible change in that case is the security provided by the Kerala Government for the protection of the treasure. High level security system is being provided; metal detector in the four gateways. All the gates of the temple are guarded by armed commandos and 100meter around the temple has been declared as the security zone and moreover that several parts of the temple are prohibited from visiting.