DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Malai Naadu |
Malai Naadu | 11thVishnuSthalam |
Two
Temples at Thulai Villi Mangalam, referred to as Erettai Tirupathi, about 100
yards of each other on the Northern bank of Tamaraibarani make up one Divya
Desam. NamAzhvaar has sung 11 verses of praise on Devapiran and Aravinda
Losana, the deities of the twin temples, located about 10kms East of
SriVaikuntam.
Sri
Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is located inside the East
Fort,Thiruvananthapuram. It is the state temple of erstwhile Travancore. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu,who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,the
hooded snake from which the city derives its name,“Thiruvananthapuram“. This
ancient temple is the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram,
Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank. The temple is a blend of the Kerala and
Dravidian styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone
carvings. Exquisite stone carvings and pavilions are worth admiring one among
the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India,the presiding deity in here is Lord
Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Holi Serpent. The idol inside the sanctum
santorum is in the form of the Lord reclining on the Holy Serpent Anantha. It
is an 18 feet long imposing figure built with Salagrama stones brought from
Nepal and it is covered with gold and precious stones. This holy shrine
attracts thousands of Hindu devotees. There are innumeraepillars, intricate
carvings and Mural paintings. Outside the temple courtyard, there is a medley
of shops that sell souvenirs, handicrafts, woodcarvings and handiwork made of
sandal. One can witness the craftsmen do their work right from carving the wood
to polishing.
The
temple has an imposing seven tier gopuram covered with beautiful stone
carvings. The temple has a broad corridor with 324 sculptured pillars and a 80
feet high golden flag staff. The walls of the temple are covered with
interesting mural paintings depicting mythical stories. The
Kulasekharamandapam,the main platform inside the temple is beautiful and regal.
The entire architectural style followed in this temple is a mixture of
Dravidian and Kerala styles.
This temple in its present form is built by Maharaja Marthanda Varma
(1729-1758),one of the most powerful rulers of Travancore. The work on the
temple was started in 1731. In 1750,the Maharaja dedicated his kingdom to Lord
Padmanabha, the presiding deity of the kingdom and assumed the title
Padmanabhadasa or the servant of Lord Padmanabha. From that day onwards the
rulers of Travancore carry out all their princely and spiritual duties as the
servants of the Lord. Padmanabha swamy temple is considered as one among the
seven Parasurama shetras in Kerala and one among the 108 sacred temples in
India dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The ancient texts of Padma purana and Skanda
purana have mentions about this temple. The temple has very special rituals.
Two festivals are celebrated every year,one in March-April and the second one
in September-October.56 day long Murajapam or uninterrupted recitation of
prayers is conducted once in six years and once in twelve years the festival of
a million lamps or the Lakshadeepam is conducted. The temple is still given the
status of the state temple and for the festivals divisions of the armed and
mounted police will accompany the deity for the arattu or the holy bathing.
Their band also play the songs written by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. Swathi
Thirunal had a very special relationship with Lord Padmanabha and the temple.
His life was an offering to the Lord. All his songs carry the stamp of total
dedication to Padmanabha. The most beautiful of his songs are on Lord Vishnu.
"Vande Sada Padmanabham" Always I worship thee Padmanabha, Thine is
the hue of the water-laden clouds, Thy feet are the celestial Mandara blossoms
to those who bow to them, Always I worship thee, my Lord” - Swathi Thirunal
wrote.
Padmanabha
Swamy Temple stands at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama
Kshetras, texts including the Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma
Purana, have references for this shrine. Tradition states that in this place,
the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Indian sages like Divakarmuni and Vilvamangalam
Swami. Another story tells of an pulaya couple seeing Vishnu in the form of a
child. The child took morsels of rice from the hands of the couple. Also it is
believed that Divakaramuni, when he saw the deity he took the first food item
he saw which was an Unripe Mango and a coconut shell as an offering plate and
performed primary pooja. In memory of this legend, naivedyam or offering
prepared from rice is offered to the deity here in a coconut shell.
There
are many legends regarding the origin of the temple. One such legend says that
the Sage Divakara prayed to Krishna for his darshan. Krishna came in disguise
as a small, mischevious boy. The boy swallowed the Saligrama which was kept in
Puja. The Sage became enraged at this and chased the boy until the boy hid
himself behind a tree. The tree fell down and became Vishnu in Sayana Kolam,
when he did so, he was of an extraordinarily large size. The Sage,recognizing
that the tree was Vishnu, in despair prayed that he could not pray to Vishnu
fully as his form was so large. Immediately, the Vishnu shrunk himself, and
told the sage that he should be worshipped through three doors. These doors are
now the doors in the temple through which the idol may be viewed. Through the
first door, the worship is offered to Shiva, through the second entrance Brahma
prays to Vishnu from his lotus navel, and through the third is Vishnu's feet,
which are said to lead to salvation. Another legend suggests that the original
Murti which was made of the wood of that tree got burned during a fire that
engulfed the temple complex, was a sign of the unhappiness of the lord with the
king.
An
ascetic Vilwamangalam Swamigal was performing pujas to Lord Narayana each day
with flowers etc. A little boy was causing all troubles to Swamigal by
scattering the puja materials and even urinating nearby. It is said that Lord
played in the guise of the little boy to test the tolerance level of Swamigal.
When his mischief reached a stage, Swamigal pushed the boy Unni Kannan-little
boy in anger. Lord Kannan appeared before him and said that true bhakti and
renunciation required total tolerance and that He so behaved to test him. He
also told the Swamigal that if he desired to see him again, he (swamigal) had
to come to Ananthan Kadu. Lord disappeared then.
Swamigal
began to discover Ananthan Kadu but could not. He sat under a tree much tired
on a scorching sunny day. He saw a peasant couple nearby quarrelling. The
husband shouted that if she was behaving like that, he would kill her and throw
her in the Ananthan Kadu. Swamigal was happy, approached the husband, made
peace among them and asked him to show the place. The husband showed Swamigal
Ananthan Kadu. It was a rough path covered by wild bushes with thorns.
Determined, Swamigal found at last Lord with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on Adiseha in
the reclining posture and worshipped Him. Lord further tested the Swamigal to
get Him something to eat as He was hungry. Swamigal gave him unriped mango
found in the jungle with salt. Swamigal informed the king of Travancore about
his finding. The king took Brahmin priests from eight mutts and reached the
place. Though Lord was not there as described by the Swamigal, the king in good
faith, built a temple, installed Lord on Adisesha and named Him Anantha Padmanabha
Swami.
The
presiding deity made of Iluppai wood was destroyed by fire in the year 1686.
The second and the present idol was made with 12,000 Salagrama stones of Vishnu
importance with a mixture called Kadu Sarkarai Yoga. This is a very rare idol
which we are worshipping now. The idol on the Adi Sesha is 12 feet long in a
reclining posture, covered fully with gold.
The
temple has a 100 foot, seven-tier gopuram. The temple stands by the side of a
tank,named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The temple has a
corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with
elaborate carvings. This corridor extends from the eastern side into the
sanctum sanctorum. An eighty-foot flag-staff stands in front of the main entry
from the 'prakaram' (corridor). The ground floor under the gopuram (main
entrance in the eastern side) is known as the 'Nataka Sala' where the famous
temple art, Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam
(festival) conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and
Thulam.
Do's and Don’ts:
Entry
is restricted to those who profess the Hindu religion.
There is a special dress code. The dress code for men is Dhoti with or without
Angavastra. The dress codes for women are Sarees, Dhoties or Pavadas with
blouse or other coverings as appropriate to their age. Salvar sets and other
modern dresses are not allowed. Young girls below 12 years may wear gowns. No
other types of dress should not be worn or taken inside the temple.
The men should fasten their Angavastrams around their waist.
Follow the procedures and timings of the Temple and wait till your turn comes
for darshan. Worshipers should not sit or prostrate or place any articles on
the Ottakkal Mandapam.
Umbrellas,
slippers, cameras, mobile phones, and any other type of electronic equipments
and weapons are not permitted inside the Temple.
Photography is strictly prohibited in the Temple premises.
Respect the customs and usages of the Temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Anantha Padmanabhan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Hari Lakshmi |
|
Theertham |
Mathsya, Padma and Varaha Theertham |
Praying lord here gives
properity, wealth and child boon.
In the October/November
months of every year, there is held the Navarathri Festival of musical concerts
at the Navarathri Mandapam, adjacent to the main building of the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
Located
in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) half a km from the railway
station is the 5000 year old Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Divya Desam, where the
gigantic Lord Anantha Padmanabhan is seen in a Bhujanga Sayana Kolam.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Anantha Padmanabhan
Temple,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala - 695 001.
LOCATION:
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