Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala History, Timings

In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a prestigious Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Anantha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

In the main shrine of the temple, an 18-foot idol of the principal deity lies on Adi Shesha, in the Ananthasayanam posture, in a temple built in Kerala style and Dravidian style.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is among the 108 holy temples of Lord Vishnu, and it is one of the wealthiest temples in the world. It is famous for its hidden treasures.

According to popular belief, the temple was founded about 5000 years ago.

Divakara Muni Vilwamangalam founded the temple, according to palm leaf records. During his lifetime, he performed rituals at Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kasaragod, also known as Ananthapura Lake Temple. The temple is considered to be the original seat (moolasthanam) of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy.

As per the legends, Lord Vishnu appeared before sage Vilwamangalam as an orphan kid. The sage felt pity for the child and permitted him to stay at the temple. He helped him with the temple’s daily activities. One day, Vilwamangalam punished the child harshly, so he fled to the forest.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala History, Timings

It didn’t take Vilwamangalam long to realize that the boy was Lord Vishnu himself. He then went in search of him. He followed him into a cave that led to the present-day city of Thiruvananthapuram. The boy disappeared into a mahua tree. As the tree fell, Lord Vishnu lay on the thousand-hooded serpent Adi Shesha.

The size of Lord Vishnu in this Ananthasayanam posture extended up to 8 miles, and sage Vilwamangalam requested him to condense to a smaller size. Lord shrank, but still, the sage couldn’t see him completely. He could only see Lord Anantha in three parts due to trees blocking his view – his face, stomach and feet.

As the sage saw the Lord, the doors of Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) depict the large idol.

History of Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum

The earliest mention of the temple dates back to the 9th century, although its exact construction date is unknown.

According to palm leaf records, the roof of the sanctum sanctorum was repaired in the 15th century. It was around the same time that the Ottakkal Mandapam was constructed in the premises. Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma ordered renovations in the temple around the middle of the 17th century.

A statue made from 12,008 shaligram stones and various herbs, collectively called katu-sharkara, was installed in the sanctum sanctorum in 1739. In addition to the statue, the king built a stone corridor, a gate, and a flagstaff.

In 1750, he dedicated his kingdom to the Lord in the Thrippadi Danam ceremony.

Karthika Mandapam was built by king Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma in 1758. The Anantha Shyana mural was drawn by queen Gowri Parvathi Bayi in 1820.

The Kshethra Praveshan Vilambram (or Temple Entry Proclamation) of 1936 marked another major event in the history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Timings and Dress Code

Visiting Padmanabhaswamy Temple opens at 3 AM, and it remains open until late evening. You can’t take blessings out of darshan slots, and you must adhere to the temple’s dress code.

In the morning, you can get the darshan between 3.15 AM and 4.15 AM. After that, you can get the darshan between 6.30 AM and 7 AM, between 8.30 AM and 10 AM, and between 10.30 AM and 11.10 AM. The final morning darshan slot is from 11.45 AM to 12 PM.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple offers evening darshan from 5 pm to 6.15 pm and 6.45 pm to 7.20 pm.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala History, Timings

Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s dress code mandates that men wear mundus/dhotis around the lower half of their body. To match the dress code, you can wear a dhoti/mundu around your pants or shorts. Your upper body can be left bare or covered with a shawl known as angavastram. Boys must follow the same dress code as men.

It is permissible for women to wear sarees, dhotis, pavadas and blouses to the temple. You can also wear a T-shirt with a lehenga/skirt and wrap a dhoti over jeans/salwar suits to follow the dress code.