New Delhi: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu temples of Kerala - God’s own country. The discovery of mind boggling treasure at the Padmanabha Temple has catapulted its fame to India’s richest temple.
The main temple deity, Sree Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture or in eternal sleep and so it is also known as Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
The legend has it say that Padmanabhaswamy was worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas).
The state capital Thiruvananthapuram, which gains its fame from the temple, is also named after the Lord. The word ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ literally means, ‘the land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy’.
Unclear past
Though the exact date on which the temple was consecrated is unknown, there are official records dating back to 910 AD.
“There are records indicating offerings made by Raja Raja Cholan and Krishna Devaraya of the Vijayanagaram Empire,” says R Ramachandran Nair, former chief secretary Kerala.
According to the historians, the foundation of the famed temple was first laid in the year 1556. Later, the temple was re-built under the instruction of the then king Marthanda Varma (1706–1758) in the first half of the 18th century.
The Royal connection
The temple has been maintained by the royal family of Travancore whose headquarters are situated near the residence of the Kerala governor.
All Maharajas who ruled Travancore were known as Padmanabha Daasa (vassals of Lord Padmanabha). Members of the erstwhile royal family had dedicated their kingdom to the deity and pledged that they will live as servants of Padmanabha.
The Shrine is run by a trust floated by the Travnacore royal house.
“This is a custom which dates back to 1750. On January 17, 1750, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the then Maharaja, along with members of the royal family and his ministers proceeded to the Temple and he laid the state sword before the deity handing over the territory of Travancore to Sree Padmanabha. Ever since the people of Travancore have regarded the State as Sree Padmanabha’s possession and the king as his servant,” said Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
It has historically been a royal temple, but offerings to the Lord Vishnu, in the form of gold and jewellery, have come not just from Travancore kings and other Kerala royalty but millions of ordinary devotees.
Marvelous architecture
The temple has a 100-foot, seven-tier ‘gopuram’ or temple tower besides a corridor with 365 and one-quarter granite stone pillars with elaborate carvings.
There are a total of six vaults marked from A to F. Two of these haven't been opened since 1872 and were rumored to contain valuables worth crores. The C, D and E cellars were opened and their inventory was prepared recently.While four of the temple chambers are opened during special occasions, Chamber A and B remained unopened for over 150 years.
Idol’s importance
The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is made up of 12008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top.
On top of them "Katusarkara Yogam", Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.
(With inputs from Agencies, Padmanabhaswamytemple.com)
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