A Visit To The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple In Kerala!
A Visit To The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple In Kerala !
When you go to Thuruvananthapuram, you cannot leave the place without visiting the abode of Lord Vishnu, resting in that place in the form of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. Built in the 8th century the temple is described as one of the Divya Desams or the holiest places of Lord Vishnu by the Tamil saints.
Here you will find the Lord resting on Anantha, the hooded serpent. The temple is a beautiful blend of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. There are many interesting things to note about this temple. First is its idol which is made of 12008 Salagramams. This idol is said to be brought from Nepal, from the banks of the river Gandhaki.
The location of the sanctum sanctorum of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, adds to its peculiarity. It is situated on stone slab with an 18 feet tall idol. Different parts of the idol can be viewed from three different doors. The first door will show you the chest of the Lord, the second will show the hands and the third will show the feet. It is believed that the whole world is behind this temple and only the chant of a sacred hymn can change that.
The temple allows only Hindus to enter into its premises and the temple authorities insist on following the dress code. For women, wearing a sari or a half sari is recommended while men need to wear a dhoti which is called Mundu. Men are not allowed to wear a shirt while entering the temple. Hope you enjoyed reading about this beautiful temple in Kerala.
- Kruti Beesam