Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple
March 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple
Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple – Trivandrum
Although regarded to be atleast 2000 years old, Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is the ‘Maha Kshetram’ (great temple) of Kerala. It is the landmark of Thiruvananthapuram city. The grand structure and supreme architecture of the temple made the devotees believe that it guarded the city from all ill-omens. The incredible fact of this temple is that it is built in ‘one single huge stone’ with beautiful architecture in it, which is truly unbelievable. It has all the features to become one among the Seven Wonders of the World.
Of the four gateways to facilitate entry from the four prime directions, those on the three sides display traditional Kerala architecture but the one on the east has a Dravidian gopuram. The main entrance is from the auspicious east gate through a flight of steps leading to the outer nave. The nave opens to an outer passage encircling the temple on all four sides.
The naalambalam contains a timber trellis with oil lamps. During the festival called ‘Lakshdeepam’ all these oil lamps (nearly one lakh oil lamps) are lit. This festival is celebrated once in 12 years and it a wonderful vista to behold.