Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple,One of the most iconic temples in India, Sree Padmanabhaswamy is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the reclining Ananthashayana posture. The deity is seen lying on the serpent Ananta, stretching across three doors of the sanctum. The temple is known for its towering gopuram, strict dress code, intricate stone and wood carvings and deeply traditional rituals. It sits in the old royal quarter of the city, with ponds, agraharams (Brahmin streets) and palace structures around it, creating a very classical south Indian temple-town ambience.
About this place
History & highlights
The temple’s origins go back many centuries, with references to the shrine as a major Vishnu kshetra in early texts and inscriptions. It became especially important under the Travancore royal family, who considered themselves “Padmanabha Dasas” (servants of Lord Padmanabha) and dedicated their kingdom to the deity in the 18th century under Maharaja Marthanda Varma. Royal patronage led to expansions of the temple, gopuram and festivals. In recent decades, the discovery of immense treasures in its vaults drew global attention, but historically it has always been the spiritual and symbolic heart of Travancore, shaping the identity of Thiruvananthapuram.
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