Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

The famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is one of India’s most prominent Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Padmanabhaya, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is one of Lord Vishnu’s 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes) revered in Vaishnavism.

Several Hindu scriptures including the Brahma Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, Vayu Purana and Bhagavata Purana mention the centuries-old temple. According to scholars, the shrine is also referenced in the Mahabharata.

History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

According to historians, the origins of the temple date back to the 8th century CE. It was constructed in the distinctive Chera style of architecture, a style that is unique to Kerala and surrounding regions, designed to suit local climatic conditions.

• Chera-style temples typically have square, rectangular, octagonal, or star-shaped layouts.
• The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, regarded as sacred abodes of Vishnu.
• Since India’s Independence, the temple has been managed by a trust led by the Travancore royal family heirs.
• The temple is known as one of India’s wealthiest, with treasures valued at over Rs 1,00,000 crore.
• In 2011, a Supreme Court directive led to the opening of the temple’s hidden vaults, revealing a massive treasure trove of gold, gems, and statues following a Public Interest Litigation by a local activist.