Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple- What is Unique?

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, or Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple, is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu temples in Kerala located in East Fort Thiruvananthapuram. An idol of Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the eternal sleep of Yognidra who is lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake.

Only Hindu disciples are permitted inside the temple premises. Visitors must follow a strict dress code to be allowed inside the temple.It is the richest temple in the world.

Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 holy places of Lord Vishnu in India. The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is named after the holy deity worshipped in this temple. The word Thiruvananthapuram means “The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy".

The temple blends Kerala and Dravidian/Tamil styles, and its famous 7-tier gopuram is about 100 ft tall; the foundation is dated to 1566.Right by the temple is the sacred water tank Padma Theertham (“lotus spring”)

The temple is famous for its subterranean vaults—in 2011, several were opened/inventoried under Supreme Court–linked proceedings, revealing a large treasure collection that drew worldwide attention.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Dress Code

Another interesting factor about Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is its strict dress code. Everyone is expected to dress in a certain and very specific way or they can be denied entry into the temple.

Men and women have to dress appropriately to visit this temple. Women need to be dressed in a long ankle-length skirt, preferably a saree, to be allowed entry into Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Wearing a full-sleeved top is also an acceptable option for women who wish to visit this famous Kerala temple. Men, on the other hand, are expected to shed their shirts and enter chaste of the chest.

What is strictly prohibited is short or bifurcated garments for either sex - churidars, pants, shorts, short or mid-length skirts, or dresses. Men can loan a mundu there to wear over their pants, but there aren’t sarees on loan for women.

One must note that half pants, half-sleeve shirts and tee shirts, Bermudas, and denim clothes are not allowed inside Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

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Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Timings for Darshan

Morning Darshan Timings of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

3:30 AM to 4:45 AM

6:30 AM to 7:00 AM

8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

11:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Evening Darshan Timings of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

5:00 PM to 6:15 PM

6:45 PM to 7:20 PM

Please note that Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple timings are subject to change during special occasions and festivals.

If you wish to know the pooja and darshan timings on a specific festival, you must check the official website of Padmanabhaswamy Temple before visiting.

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How to reach Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple ?

It's very easy to reach this holy temple located in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. The city is connected to all major towns and cities across the country via a well-laid network of flights, trains, buses, and cabs.

This makes getting to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple fairly easy and comfortable.

By Air

Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. After reaching, tourists can hire a local KSRTC-operated bus, private bus, taxi, or an autorickshaw to get to the temple

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By Train

Major railway stations near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in order of proximity:

Trivandrum Central Railway Station: 600 meters away (8-minute walk)

Varkala Railway Station: 42.4 km (1 hour 7 mins away)

Kollam Junction: 67 km (1 hour 33 mins away)

By Road

Vizhinjam Bus Station is the nearest bus stand to the temple located a mere 16 km (30-minute ride) away.

You can also hail a cab or autorickshaw from the airport, train station, or anywhere else in the city at economical prices to get to the temple with ease.

Public buses run by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private coaches are also available near the airport, train station, and various places in the city. You can avail of these to get around in nominal rates.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Entry Fee

While there is no entry fee for the temple, one does have to pay a nominal fee for the special darshan inside the premises.

A special darshan without 'prasadam' costs INR 150/-, while one with 'prasadam' costs INR 180/-.

History of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple built by the then Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore is a revered holy shrine in India. The fascinating Anantha Padma Swamy Temple history and architecture draw thousands of worshippers and travelers to Trivandrum every month!

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Followers of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Mandir believe that Lord Maha Vishnu had personally come in disguise and saved the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies many times. Recently, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple was in the news for the discovery of hidden treasure worth billions of dollars which also underlined it as one of the best tourist attractions in Kerala.

According to ancient tradition, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas).

Once you take a look inside Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, you'll be even more awestruck by its interiors and ambiance! The temple interiors have the idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple made up of 12,008 'Shaligrams' that are from Nepal, specifically from the banks of river Gandhaki.

The convenient location of Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum makes it one of the most frequented and loved holy sanctums in Kerala. It also offers visitors and pilgrims optimum space to revel in its spiritual aura, offer prayers, and explore the whole temple premises.