Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is an 18 feet majestic idol. This principal deity is covered in gold and valuable precious stones.

This stunning beauty and the dazzling yellow metal have spurred unprecedented flow of devotees in this age old shrine.

This idol was a discovery by chance and Lord Vishnu in a sprawling posture on the Serpent Anantha was found while some restoration work was under process.

The idol of Anantha Padmanabha is very special as it includes ayurvedic herbs and the mixture blended to make this idol consists of various ingredients.

This idol is remarkable as it is made of rare items called ‘Salagramam’, and the main reason for this is usually in Kudusarkara idols ‘Salagramam’ is not used. The Sri Padmanabhaswamy idol was found by chance and gold was discovered in many parts of the idol. This was noted while cleaning the idol that the metal sound was audible as per the temple officials. The history of locating the gold on the idol goes like this.

The temple priest informed repair of deities and restoration to Royal family of Travancore. The palace royals invited Vaastu experts and with essential examinations deputed two sculpture graduates to handle the cleaning and restoration work.

Both the youngsters heard some metal sound on the idol and realized that the idol was black due to camphor, lamps as well as agarbathis smoke for decades or rather centuries.

They sought the grant to clean the idol and with little hesitation they were asked to go ahead. After cleaning, the idol was covered with gold from crown to toe including Anantha, the serpent.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple officers declared that the idol was wrapped in gold sheets. But, the idol had few gold ornaments.

As the news spread by word of mouth or news about the golden discovery, there has been an enormous increase in the devotees queue in visiting such temple.

People from far and wide were and are fascinated by the shining metal that enveloped the entire body. The glittering yellow metal adorned by the 18 feet idol gave a fabulous look. People flocked to the temple to view the gold jewels.

This temple is in fact the landmark and is the pride specimen of South India as well as Dravidian architectural styles. This famous temple is under the command and control of the Royal family and even today one head of the Royal family represents the special Darshan. It is easily accessible by rail, road and bus.