Bhanupratap Sahoo
Google
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, depicted in a reclining posture on the serpent Anantha. Renowned for its Dravidian architecture and spiritual significance, the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The temple's main deity is composed of 12,008 saligrams, fossilized shells from the Gandaki River in Nepal, and is preserved using a unique Ayurvedic mixture called "Katusarkara yogam" .
The temple is also famous for its treasure vaults, which were discovered to contain immense wealth, including gold, jewels, and artifacts, making it one of the richest temples in the world . In June 2025, the temple hosted a rare Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a consecration ritual conducted after nearly 270 years, marking a significant event in its history .
Visitors are required to adhere to a strict dress code: men must wear a white dhoti with an angavastram, and women should wear a sari. Entry is permitted only to Hindus, as per the Temple Entry Proclamation . The temple opens for darshan at 3:15 am and closes at 7:20 pm, with various slots for prayers and rituals throughout the day .
While the temple offers a profound spiritual experience, some visitors have reported issues such as overcrowding and lack of proper guidance for tourists . Additionally, the temple's treasure vaults have been a subject of legal and spiritual debates, adding to its mystique and intrigue .
Overall, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands as a testament to Kerala's rich cultural and spiritual heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's deep-rooted traditions and beliefs.