History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

It doest not have enough proof about the person who built the temple. Historians believe the temple is at least 5000 years old. According to the book "Aythihyavum Charithravum" (Legend and History), the temple was made before a long time ago. But we know for sure that a man named Vilwamangalam Swamikal (also known as Divakara Munikal) lived around 13th century AD.

Here's the story: Vilvamangalam was praying at Ananthapuram Temple in Kasargod, and a boy came there every day. Vilvamangalam liked the boy and asked him to come during prayer time. The boy agreed. One day, Vilvamangalam playfully hit the boy, and the boy said that if Vilvamangalam wanted to see him, he should go to Ananthankadu. The boy disappeared, and Vilvamangalam set off to find this place.

He wandered through forests and hills, built temples, and did prayers. He finally reached an area now called Thiruvananthapuram. A person from the Pulaya community helped him find Ananthankadu. There, Vilvamangalam saw Sree Padmanabhaswamy resting on Anantha. The deity's form was spread out over 18 miles, from Thrippadapuram to Thiruvallam. Sree Padmanabhaswamy changed his form so Vilvamangalam could see him better. Vilvamangalam offered unripe mango in a coconut shell as an offering.

With the king's help, Vilvamangalam built a temple and put Sree Padmanabha's idol on Anantha. Ananthankadu is still there with a Nagaraja Temple. They remember Vilvamangalam by offering unripe mango in a golden shell at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Thiru Ananthapuram turned into Thiruvananthapuram, and the Naduvil Vilvamangalam Madam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple is still around.

All the leaders of Venad were big fans of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. They improved the temple at the right times. The temple got a big upgrade from Sree Anizham Thirunal Bala Marthanda Varma, who ruled between 1729 and 1758. He was the last king of Venad and the first Maharaja of Travancore. He thought that whatever was done for Sree Padmanabhaswamy wasn't enough.

King Marthanda Varma

Marthanda Varma made his kingdom, Venad, much bigger. He used the money and gold from places he took over to make the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple better. The temple has gold, money, and gifts from other kings. People argue about this, but the temple had money when it was built. That's why there are vaults there. The vaults were only opened in emergencies, so people couldn't see the wealth.

Even before he became king, Marthanda Varma had enemies. He fought a lot to beat them. He believed Sree Padmanabhaswamy saved him. So, on January 18, 1750, he gave himself, his family, his money, and his kingdom to Sree Padmanabhaswamy. He put his sword in front of the deity. Nobody else can give things like that. Whatever is given belongs to Sree Padmanabhaswamy. This special dedication is unique. You won't find another dedication like it. After that, Marthanda Varma and the kings after him served Sree Padmanabha. Until the end of their rule, Sree Padmanabha was the official ruler of Travancore. The kings ruled the kingdom in Padmanabha's name and as a sacred trust. All the later kings who ruled Travancore were known as Padmanabhadasas.

Even after the kings stopped ruling, people still hold Sree Padmanabha and the Padmanabhadasas in their hearts in Thiruvananthapuram. Marthanda Varma was a Padmanabhadasa who achieved a lot in a short time.

Since Sree Padmanabha showed himself to Vilvamangalam from three places, the temple's inner sanctum has three entrances for people to see Sree Padmanabha. The special stones used to build the temple came from Gandaki River in Nepal, carried on the back of an elephant. These stones are special and have healing qualities.

When you stand in front of the temple in a calm state, you might feel energy coming from the idol. That's maybe why they don't allow people to wear shirts inside the temple.

The big space in front of the inner sanctum is made from a single huge stone that was brought from a place called Thirumala. It's called Ottakkal Mandapam.

Mahatma Gandhi visited this temple after the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1937.

In December 1892, Swami Vivekananda also came to this town. He meditated at Sree Padam Rock in the Bay of Bengal for a few days. Then he went to Chicago. At that time, Kanyakumari was part of Travancore.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an important Vaishnava temple in India. It's the main temple in old Travancore and Kerala. Among the 108 pilgrim centers called Thiruppadikal, this temple is the 59th. Nammalvar, who lived around 9 AD, praised Padmanabha and called him the main god of Thiruvananthapuram. Sree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu from Bengal also praised this temple.

This temple is one of the few where the Aarattu festival happens twice a year. It's celebrated in March-April and October-November. Each festival is 10 days long. There's also a special festival called Lakshadeepam that happens once every six years.

Historians say the Pandavas stayed at Ananthankadu during their exile and fought Kauravas there. The figures of Pandavas are shown at the entrance of the temple. About 101 artists act out fights between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Velakali is also part of the festival.

If you go two kilometers from East Fort, you'll reach Attukal Devi Temple, also known as Women's Sabarimala. Its main festival Attukal Pongala is a big event for women and even got into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Thrippadapuram Temple, also known as Dakshina Kashi, is near Kariavattom. Vilvamangalam saw Sree Padmanabha's Holy feet there.

Like Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, we don't know much about when Thrippadapuram Temple was built or who built it. The main god there is Lord Vishnu with four hands and Lord Shiva standing face to face. The temple is connected to the royal family.

Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple is in Thiruvallam, where Vilvamangalam saw Sree Padmanabha's head. It's the only temple in Kerala for Lord Parasurama. People come here to perform Balitharpanam, and there's a special day called karkidaka vavu day when they pay respect to departed souls. The idol of Parasurama has four hands. The temple is protected by the Archaeology Department of India.

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