World’s Richest Temple - Sree Padmanabha swamy temple,Thiruvanthapuram,Kerala,India.

World’s Richest Temple - Sree Padmanabha swamy temple,Thiruvanthapuram,Kerala,India.

Sree Padmanabha swamy temple is one of the most famous Vishnu temple  in Kerala. The deity in this temple is in Ananthasayanam posture (eternal sleep) lying on Anantha the hooded snake A unique feature of Sree Padmanabha swamy temple is that the idol in reclining posture can be seen through 3 doors. The idol is 18 feet long. .Thiruvananthapuram ,the capital city of Kerala derived the name from the deity of the sree padmanabha swamy temple. Thiru –anantha –puram meaning the city of lord Anantha. Padmanabha swamy temple which is the iconic landmark of Thiruvananthapuram became the richest temple in the world after an approximate valuation of the assets in the 5 secret chambers, which was more than 1,00,000 Crore (us $ 22 billion ) with out even calculating the antique value of the objects . Earlier Thirupati Sree Venkiteswara temple in Andhra Pradesh, India was regarded as the richest temple.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE:-

Sree Padmanabha swamy temple is renowned for it’s sculptural beauty .The walls of the temple are decorated with mural paintings. The corridors have granite stone pillars which are beautifully carved.

Besides the temple, there is a holy pond named Padma Theertham .The gopuram (tower) at the entrance is seven storied.

Laksha Deepam festival (lighting of one hundred thousand (one lakh) lamps )is a major unique festival celebrated once in 6 years at Sree Padmanabha swamy temple.

Sree Padmanabha swamy is the family deity of Travancore kings and the temple is maintained by the Royal family of Travancore. They are very loyal to Sree Padmanabha swamy and maintain the temple rituals and ceremonies intact.

The renovation of this temple in to the present form was done by King Marthanda Varma , the Maharaja of Travancore .On January 3, 1750, Maharaja Marthanda Varma dedicated his kingdom to Lord Sree Padmanabha swamy and vowed to rule the state on behalf of lord and ‘serve’ the kingdom as ‘Padmanabha Dasa’ (the servant of lord Padmanabha). Afterwards all his descendants ruled the kingdom of travancore as ‘Padmanabha Dasa’ (the servant of lord Padmanabha).By giving the kingdom to Lord Padmanabha the whole Travancore (now thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) became the property of Lord Sree Padmanabha swamy.Devotees believe that their land is protected from enemies and evils by the lord always.

DRESS CODE OF SREE PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE :-

Only Hindus are allowed to enter inside the temple. Men should wear ‘Mundu” or ‘Dhoti’ for entering the temple .Shirts or t-shirts above waist has to be removed. Women have to wear Saree, Mundum-Neriyathum (Peculiar dress of Keralite Women), Skirt or half saree. No type of pants or churidhar is permitted inside the temple.

Dhotis are available for rent near temple locker room .Devotees can hire them and use it.

HOW TO REACH SREEPADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE :-

By Road - Thiruvananthapuram central bus station at thampanoor is around 1 km from the temple.

By Train - Thiruvananthapuram central railway station at thampanoor is located around 1 km from the temple.

By Air - Thiruvananthapuram domestic air port is around 8 km and international airport is around 4 km from temple.