Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple - Interesting facts, Importance, Speciality and Origin
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the famous temple in Kerala which is located in Thiruvanatapuram. Do you want to know about Interesting facts, Importance, Speciality and Origin of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple then check here.
Temples of South India is among one of the tourist destinations. Pilgrims from various parts of nation enjoy viewing the traditions and heritage associated with the temples. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the famous temples in Kerala where the main deity is Lord Vishnu. The Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one best tourist place also in kerala. The location of the temple is at Thiruvananthapuram. The temple situated at the capital city of Kerala has the lord with a posture of eternal sleep specifically known as Yognidra. The deity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is worshiped by Lord Indra and Moon God.Interesting facts about Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The royal family of Travancore provides considerable help to the trust that runs Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also said that, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one among 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. The architecture of the temple is also different from other Vishnu temples. Tourists visiting the temple will be amazed to view the Dravidian style of particular Vishnu temple. Glorification of the temple is once again associated with Divya Prabandha (Tamil literature during medieval period). The structure of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has become more attractive when the construction of Ornate Gopuram took place.Importance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The significance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple lies with the fact that, the temple is one among holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu. This fact will be clearer if you see the works of Tamil saint, Azhvars. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has another significance of being one among the seven Parasurama kshetras in Kerala. The main deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu. The temple is significant because the city where the temple is constructed is named after Lord Vishnu.Origin of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The origin of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple lies with the devotion of many legends. The famous personnel named as Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar alias Divakara Muni have prayed for darshan of Lord Vishnu near the temple. Muni saw a small mischief boy after completion of his prayer. It was believes that, Lord took up the formation of small mischief boy. The boy touched the Saligama which was exclusively kept for puja.
The Muni became really angry and run behind the boy. After preceding some steps, the boy suddenly disappeared. The legend came till the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in order to find the boy. He found a peculiar thing there. He was really surprise to see the mischief boy merging with IIupa tree. The tree suddenly falls down from the root and has taken the shape of Ananta Sayana Murti. This incident proved that, particular boy was no one but Lord Vishnu. The statue of Lord has a peculiar large size with various parts at different location. His lotus feet were placed as Trippappur, his naval at Thiruvananthapuram and his head at Thiruvallom. The Muni also requested lord to shrink his size. Lord listened to the sage and immediately sank.Speciality of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
All the visitors will be amazed to hear facts about idol in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is made up of salagramams which once again speaks about reclining lord. The speciality remains with the fact that, they were brought from Nepal. The origination of salagramams has come from the bank of river Gandhaki. By using the elephant top, they were secretly brought to the temple. The plaster of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is associated with a special Ayurvedic mix. According to the belief of many followers, Lord Vishnu has personally come to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and saved the kingdom of Travancore in many ways. It is not a question of saving the temple one time, rather the Lord have saved his own kingdom several times.
Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami temple at Thiruvananthapuram is actually more than five thousand years old.In the Srimad Bhagavata of Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami temple of Thiruvananthapuram is mentioned.Sri Balarama,the elder brother of Sri Krishna did not participate in the great Battle of Kurukshetra,in 3102 B.C.,as he was against the war between his relatives.Not only that, both Bhima and Duryodhana were his favourite disciples in the mace fight.Bhima had tremendous strength but Duryodhana had great skill in mace warfare.Terribly disturbed by the Kurukshetra war Sri Balarama undertook a holy pilgrimage ,and as a part of it visited and stayed at Thiruvananthapuram and worshipped Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami on his way to Kanniyakumari.This is vividly mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavata Maha Purana of Sri Vedya Vyasa.The great Alwars (Twelve Great Vaishnava Saints) have sung in praise of Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami of Thiruvananthapuram, in their eternal, and glorious works.Ari Andal,the only woman saint amongst the twelve Alwars has profusely Sung the beauty of the Lord Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami of Thiruvananthapuram in her immortal songs.The great Visishta Advaita Philosopher and founder of Sri Vaishnavism had visited this temple.Sri Chaithanya Maha Prabhu,the great Bengali Saint and Sri Krishna Devotee, had visited this Temple.This temple is one amongst the 108 great Sri Maha Vishnu Temples(known as'Divya Desams' in Sri Vaishnava parlance).The most revered Saintly King of the erstwhile Travancore Sri Kulasekhara,( is one of the Twelve Alwars highly venerated by Sri Vaishnavas),is also associated with this temple.His crown has recently been discovered, in the infinite value treasures of this temple, recently discovered.So many great saints and sages are associated with this most ancient temple. Many scriptures also mention about this ancient temple.It was during the period of Sri Marthanda Varma the illustrious king of Travancore that extensive maintenance and construction of the Rajagopuram was carried out.Not only that after Sri Bharata of the Ramayana,it was only Sri Marthanda Varma,the great king of Travancore,who dedicated('Thrip-padi-dhanam') his entire kingdom to the lotus feet of Sri Ananda Padmanabha Swami and ruled the kingdom as a Dasa ( humble servant).Later rulers of Travancore meticulously and devotedly followed him, respecting all the traditions and also leading a simple life without pomp or luxury.The huge wealth of infinite value discovered recently is a standing testimony to the devotion,sincerity and integrity of the great rulers of Travancore.The rulers of Travancore, after their daily and customary worship, would brush their bare feets thoroughly,before leaving the temple premises,to ensure that not even a dust particle is inadvertently taken out by them.Such is their greatness.