History of Sri Padmanabhaswamy

The Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Syanandoora or today’s Thiruvananthapuram has shed its radiance in continuous flow down the annals of oral tradition and written history. Its evolution reflects the social, historic and religious development of the region over which its influence was felt, which often extended to territories lying well inside present Southern Tamil Nadu . Ranking among the best known temples in Kerala, this shrine retains its position as the most important in Travancore standing in majestic splendour in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala.

The stature it all along enjoyed as a ‘Maha Kshetra’ coupled with its role as historymaker operating through its continued royal links with the different dynasties in power, set this temple on a separate pedestal.

The best loved legend that circumambulates the consecration of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is the Sthala Purana connecting the Divine child and the sage ; the only difference being that he is variously known as Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar or Divakara Muni. The little child who appeared one day from nowhere, made home with the ascetic on one condition that He would leave the moment any displeasure was vented on him. In an extremely naughty mood the child one day put a Salagrama into His mouth from the sage's puja. Tested beyond endurance the saint pushed Him with the back of his hand. Offended by the reprimand, the child ran away and a voice from the heavens was heard, ‘ If you whish to see Me, come to Anantan kadu” (the forest of Ananta). In a flash the true identity of his little companion dawned on the sage. A long, weary search ensued. Finally, at dusk he heard a Pulaya woman admonishing her crying baby “Stop wailing or I will throw you into Anantan Kadu”.

The location thus identified, the sage blessed her and entered the forest where in the pre-dawn hours he received darshan of the Lord in all glory as “Padmanabha” reclining on the serpent Ananta.The massive figure extended 18 miles in length from Thiruvellom, through Thiruvananthapuram upto Thrippadapuram where the sacred feet rested. At the saint’s request the Lord shrank to the present size. A temple was later constructed there by the king. Anachronisms exist as the temple is known to be of earlier origin. Hence it is concluded that it was a reconsecration that was carried out then.

Praises have been repeatedly sung of the sanctity of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple during different centuries in religious and secular literature. It has been identified as one of the 108 great Vaishnava centre of Bharatha by the Alvars, as one of seven “Mukti Sthalas” in the ‘Syanandoora Purana Samuchayam’ and as one of the six seats of Narayana by Chaitanya Maha Prabhu of modern times. The legends, floklore and miracles encircling the temple enhance its richness. It dominates the city which was known by different names, all derived from the presiding deity. The current name connot as the city of the Lord of Ananta.

Enclosed within massive walls, the temple presents a fine blend of typical Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles. Most of the physical structures excluding the Tiru Ambati Sree Krishna shrine were put up in granite instead of the original wood in the time of the mighty ruler Marthanda Varma, in the 1700s. It has to be stressed that while new additions were made, all the old constructions were faithful reproductions of the original ones and not innovations.

Krishna’s shrine is a temple by itself and is the oldest part as of today, as the other areas had been badly scarred by fire. It retains richly carved constructions in wood. The famous Ottakkal Mandapa connected to the sanctum of Sree Padmanabha fashioned out of a massive single rock, the Kulasekhara Mandapa put by Dharma Raja which is pure poetry in stone sculpture, the architectural feat which is the massive Shivelippura finished in a record time of six months, the Pandavas in red stone on the Abhishravana Mandapa , the murals and metal work, all stand as lasting tribute to the glory of Padmanabha.

The front eastern entrance is adorned by an imposing gopura with an abundance of sculptures. Adjacent to it is the Padma Teertha, famous temple tank, the most prominent among its Teerthas (some of which lie as far away as Varkala).

The main deity is Vishnu as Sree Padmanabha Swamy reclining on the five hooded serpent Ananta in Yoga Nidra or conscious cosmic slumber with Brahma seated on the lotus rising from the navel. The main idol itself is hailed as a marvel in inconography. It is lined inside with 12 thousand Salagramas brought from River Gandaki in Nepal.

Goddess Lakshmi and Bhoomi, sages Bhrigu, Markandeya and assembly of celestials, Narada included , are present. They are all made of a composition known as ‘Katu Sharakara Yogam ‘ which involves a highly complicated process and is uncommon even in Kerala from where it originates. Shiva of Shaiva Salagrama Shila sits under the right hand of Padmanabha. Thus the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu.

Maheswara representing creation, preservation and destruction – are seen together in the sanctum in a rare concept. Other deities are Sree Rama – Lakshmana-Sita. Vishvaksena, Narasimha Swamy, Veda Vyasa, Krishna, Kshetrapala, Ganesha, Shastha and Hanuman.

The Lord assumed the position of the royal Deity of the state as well, with the ‘Trippati Danam’ of Maharaja Marthanda Varma in 1750 AD by which he surrendered his kingdom, rights and all royal powers to Him, acting thenceforth as Sree Padmanabha Dasa, a title cherished by the succeeding generations of the Travancore Royal Family whose dynastic deity He always was. Sree Padmanabha held the unique position of being recognized as the Sovereign of the State by the Imperial Government. The temple is private and managed by the head of this family.

It is uncommon to come across a temple which is able to adhere to long established tradition braving the winds of change without compromising on the performance of rites and rituals which are considerable here. The most important festivals are bi-annual. Alpashi-October/November and Painkuni-March/April, lasting for ten days each and culminating in the Arat procession to the Shanghumugham Beach and purificatory immersion of the three deities- Sree Padmanabha, Sree Narasimha and Sree Krishna. This takes place with all the pomp and pageantry of the bygone ages and continues to attaract considerable crowds. The Maharaja on foot escorts the deities in their Garuda Vahanas, to the sea-front.

By far the most spectacular, elaborate and expensive festival of this temple and which is seen nowhere else, comes once in six years and is the fabulous Laksha Deepam. It comes at the end of 56 days of reciation of the three Vedas and other prayers. Padmanabha Swamy is literally adorned with a lakh of lamps. This festival draws innumerable devotees. The next one is slated to take place on January 14/15,1996 . This is the only temple in known history which has been fortunate enough to conduct the Laksha Deepam without break from the time of inception of the festival in January 1750 AD.

Many are the marvels, which abound in this magnificent abode of benevolent Divinity, a pilgrimage to which would leave behind unfading echoes of tranquility in the realms of emotional and spiritual experience.

ASWATHI THIRUNAL
GOURI LAKSHMI BAYI