The Stupendous structure, its sumptuous architecture, its prodigious lay out, its thematic brilliance, the conceptual grandeur and above all the magnificence and profundity of the devotional belief of the long line of rulers of Travancore whose dedication to the enshrined tutelary deity alone has been responsible for the glory of this great temple and its undying fame. The abiding faith of its founding fathers of Travancore Royalty, their faith and devotion alone has sustained the temple, preserving its great traditions in their pristine purity and sweep. The rajas are known as Padmanabha daasas.
Thiruvananthapuram means the abode of the Lord who reclines on the sacred serpent anantha.
the hoary antiquity of this temple is revealed by its mention in the various puranas Padma Puran, Skanda Puran, Bhagvath Puran.
The members of the Royal family visit the temple every day. Poor Brahmin's orphans, destitute widows are fed in the temple free of cost.
A day in the temple runs with clock work like precision beginning at 4 a.m. Between 8 and 9 a.m. members of the royal family visit the temple. in the evening there are two poojas known as Attazha pooja and Arthajama pooja. the former takes place a little after the evening deeparadhana which is one of the most important pooja timings in this temple. the image of the lord is beautifully decorated with sandal, flowers, silk clothes and the inner shrine is brilliantly lighted. the daily run of poojas closes at 10 p.m.
The temple is a center of attraction to the young and old by its perfect system of worship, by the sweet fragrance and peace it permeates, the health and recreation it offers, its remarkable neatness, its marvellous punctuality and regularity in all its varied functions, the divine beneficence which it dispenses and built by the devotion and reverence and the order which it silently inculcates on the thousands of votaries that visit it. the half an hour or more spent in circumambulating the temple is a spiritually ennobling experience.
The travancore state manual by Sri Nagam Aiya elucidates in great detail the marvels of the sculptured items found in the precincts of this temple. The Maharaja of travancore brought talented artisans from all parts of India and personally supervised their work to ensure a very high quality of artistic pieces. the Kulashekar mantapa or Aayarkkal mantapa is filled with such artistic work. it is said that once an artist was so engrossed with his work that he shouted out to his assistant to hand him some betelnut to chew. unfortunately the assistant was not present but the maharaja himself fulfilled the task. The way in which the chew was handed over to him the artisan realised that it was not his assistant and then turned from the work to see and when he saw it was the king he was so full of shame and humbled that he was said to have attempted to cut off his finger. this the Maharaja of course prevented.
the excellent specimen of stone work displayed in the Kulashekar mantapa prove "The Obdurate granite has been made to bend and mould in obedience to the artistic chisel in remarkable and unique ways. words fail us to express the remarkable work on some of the pillars which delights every one who admires them.
The illustrations in the temple display a healthy religious toleration among the Hindus. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the corridors in this temple have many sculpted figures of Shiva and allied deities. At one place one can see an image of Maha Vishnu portrayed as sitting on Adisesha with its five hoods held as canopy over the God. the hoods are so delicately and realistically carved that one can see delicate lines with black marks on the hoods. close to that idol are portrayed Garuda and Hanuman standing in reverential pose. a little further is the carved image of Vigneswara in a sitting posture with his unmistakable portly belly the figure is so realistic and elastic, they have made three potti brahmins performing pooja to him one has neivedyam in his hands. this figure a foot and a half in height seems to be the most magnificent piece of artistic work. scenes from Ramayana and Bhagavata. besides Trees, bushes, parrots, squirrels, monkeys, elephants are carved in life like and artistic manner. such magnificent representation of art cannot but excite wonder for the observer.
There are two main festivals celebrated in this temple both of ten days duration. One in the month of Meenam March April while the other in the month of Thulam Sept - Oct. They begin with Kodiyettam flag hoisting on the first day, Palli Vetta and Procession on 9th day with the Arattu of Deities ritual bath on the 10th day. The Hunting ceremony on the 9th night is very symbolic. Vishnu as the supreme protector of the Universe sets out on His hunt to destroy the demons. In the pre independence days the Maharaja used to go in the procession in front of the God to a place which is a furlong outside the Temple. The procession would stop in front of the Sundara Vilasa Palace in the Fort. legend has it that about 200 years ago this was the very same spot where an attempt was made on the life of the then maharaja. today a tall shrubbery stands for the forest. the mock hunt is enacted to such perfection that absolute silence is observed till the hunting spot is reached. The deitie's marched is accompanied by torches, but there is no music, no conversation, absolute silence so the evil forces do not get forewarned. On reaching the spot the Maharaja draws a bow and lets loose arrows at three coconuts placed in the shrubbery. the coconuts symbolically represent the evil to be destroyed the Maharaja does the hunting as god's representative. As soon as the arrows are shot music is played and drums sounded, victory is heralded the victorious procession gets back to the Temple. this is know as Palli Vetta. The Vishnu Idol is accommodated at another spot as He cannot return to the Sanctum Sactorium till a purifying bath is given the following day With Aarattu Procession. The images of Padmanabha, Krishna and Narasimha are carried along a three mile route to the sea to a place known as Sankhumukham. The members of the Royal family, the armed contigents along with temple acessories accompany the procession. The ritual bath is given in the sea at sun set, and are bought back to the Temple. thus the polution caused by taking the life in the hunting expedition is symbolically ceremonially washed away. the pomp and splendour in princely days could be compared to the Mysore dasera festival.
Besides these two festivals the temple celebrates another important festival called Badhra Deepam in the month of Mithuna July and Kanya in January. these festivities last for seven days. the other great festival celebrated once in six years is called Murajapam. This is a fantastic ceremony which lasts for fifty six days. this was first celebrated to expiate for the sins of having taken the lives of so many people during the innumerable wars of conquest that the king undertook to expand his small Venad teritory. In order to re establish peace, prosperity and happiness in his kingdom through Divine Grace the king performed the Mura Japam. this term literally translated means "a course of recitation of Vedas."this ceremony is said to have a religious as well as a political aspect. the religious aspect is the focus on expiation of sins and overall welfare of the Kingdom. the political aspectof this festival arose out of the fact that when it was started it was an "AT Home" extended by the Maharaja to the Nambudiris who were the original landlords of Kerala to keep them in good humour. The Rig Veda the Yajur veda and Samaveda are recited seven times over the grand final is lighting the Laksha deepas. Murajapam ( the recitation of vedas,) Mantra Japam (sahasranama Japam) Jala Japam (standing in knee deep water and reciting take place. the lamps lit play in the ponds on the corridors and the external walls of the temple creating a divinely awe- inspiring feeling. unique and difficult to explain it has to be viewed.
Nammalvar is the only alwar who has done mangala shasana to the Lord of this divya desam. he has composed 11 pasurams. 3678. he says Oh ye devotees come let us go to Thiruvananthapuram today itself. The moment we utter the name Kesava, all our ills will disappear, the messengers of yama will not come near us. he says "Kootrin tamargalum kuruga gillaar"
The area covered by the temple is around seven acers, the temple faces east, the temple tower is about 100ft in height and has seven stories with window like openings in the centre for each of the stories. this window like opening is lit every evening. the illumined temple tower is visible from a great distance. the corridor inside the temple is supported by 324 stone pillars and is covered by a terraced roof. this mantapam is called Seeveli, it is the path way through which the utsava deieties are taken every day round the temple. The moolavar is made of 1008 saligramas fused together.
The Neivedyam offered to the Lord here is sweet rice Kanji with salted mango pieces.
Thiruvananthapuram means the abode of the Lord who reclines on the sacred serpent anantha.
the hoary antiquity of this temple is revealed by its mention in the various puranas Padma Puran, Skanda Puran, Bhagvath Puran.
The members of the Royal family visit the temple every day. Poor Brahmin's orphans, destitute widows are fed in the temple free of cost.
A day in the temple runs with clock work like precision beginning at 4 a.m. Between 8 and 9 a.m. members of the royal family visit the temple. in the evening there are two poojas known as Attazha pooja and Arthajama pooja. the former takes place a little after the evening deeparadhana which is one of the most important pooja timings in this temple. the image of the lord is beautifully decorated with sandal, flowers, silk clothes and the inner shrine is brilliantly lighted. the daily run of poojas closes at 10 p.m.
The temple is a center of attraction to the young and old by its perfect system of worship, by the sweet fragrance and peace it permeates, the health and recreation it offers, its remarkable neatness, its marvellous punctuality and regularity in all its varied functions, the divine beneficence which it dispenses and built by the devotion and reverence and the order which it silently inculcates on the thousands of votaries that visit it. the half an hour or more spent in circumambulating the temple is a spiritually ennobling experience.
The travancore state manual by Sri Nagam Aiya elucidates in great detail the marvels of the sculptured items found in the precincts of this temple. The Maharaja of travancore brought talented artisans from all parts of India and personally supervised their work to ensure a very high quality of artistic pieces. the Kulashekar mantapa or Aayarkkal mantapa is filled with such artistic work. it is said that once an artist was so engrossed with his work that he shouted out to his assistant to hand him some betelnut to chew. unfortunately the assistant was not present but the maharaja himself fulfilled the task. The way in which the chew was handed over to him the artisan realised that it was not his assistant and then turned from the work to see and when he saw it was the king he was so full of shame and humbled that he was said to have attempted to cut off his finger. this the Maharaja of course prevented.
the excellent specimen of stone work displayed in the Kulashekar mantapa prove "The Obdurate granite has been made to bend and mould in obedience to the artistic chisel in remarkable and unique ways. words fail us to express the remarkable work on some of the pillars which delights every one who admires them.
The illustrations in the temple display a healthy religious toleration among the Hindus. Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the corridors in this temple have many sculpted figures of Shiva and allied deities. At one place one can see an image of Maha Vishnu portrayed as sitting on Adisesha with its five hoods held as canopy over the God. the hoods are so delicately and realistically carved that one can see delicate lines with black marks on the hoods. close to that idol are portrayed Garuda and Hanuman standing in reverential pose. a little further is the carved image of Vigneswara in a sitting posture with his unmistakable portly belly the figure is so realistic and elastic, they have made three potti brahmins performing pooja to him one has neivedyam in his hands. this figure a foot and a half in height seems to be the most magnificent piece of artistic work. scenes from Ramayana and Bhagavata. besides Trees, bushes, parrots, squirrels, monkeys, elephants are carved in life like and artistic manner. such magnificent representation of art cannot but excite wonder for the observer.
There are two main festivals celebrated in this temple both of ten days duration. One in the month of Meenam March April while the other in the month of Thulam Sept - Oct. They begin with Kodiyettam flag hoisting on the first day, Palli Vetta and Procession on 9th day with the Arattu of Deities ritual bath on the 10th day. The Hunting ceremony on the 9th night is very symbolic. Vishnu as the supreme protector of the Universe sets out on His hunt to destroy the demons. In the pre independence days the Maharaja used to go in the procession in front of the God to a place which is a furlong outside the Temple. The procession would stop in front of the Sundara Vilasa Palace in the Fort. legend has it that about 200 years ago this was the very same spot where an attempt was made on the life of the then maharaja. today a tall shrubbery stands for the forest. the mock hunt is enacted to such perfection that absolute silence is observed till the hunting spot is reached. The deitie's marched is accompanied by torches, but there is no music, no conversation, absolute silence so the evil forces do not get forewarned. On reaching the spot the Maharaja draws a bow and lets loose arrows at three coconuts placed in the shrubbery. the coconuts symbolically represent the evil to be destroyed the Maharaja does the hunting as god's representative. As soon as the arrows are shot music is played and drums sounded, victory is heralded the victorious procession gets back to the Temple. this is know as Palli Vetta. The Vishnu Idol is accommodated at another spot as He cannot return to the Sanctum Sactorium till a purifying bath is given the following day With Aarattu Procession. The images of Padmanabha, Krishna and Narasimha are carried along a three mile route to the sea to a place known as Sankhumukham. The members of the Royal family, the armed contigents along with temple acessories accompany the procession. The ritual bath is given in the sea at sun set, and are bought back to the Temple. thus the polution caused by taking the life in the hunting expedition is symbolically ceremonially washed away. the pomp and splendour in princely days could be compared to the Mysore dasera festival.
Besides these two festivals the temple celebrates another important festival called Badhra Deepam in the month of Mithuna July and Kanya in January. these festivities last for seven days. the other great festival celebrated once in six years is called Murajapam. This is a fantastic ceremony which lasts for fifty six days. this was first celebrated to expiate for the sins of having taken the lives of so many people during the innumerable wars of conquest that the king undertook to expand his small Venad teritory. In order to re establish peace, prosperity and happiness in his kingdom through Divine Grace the king performed the Mura Japam. this term literally translated means "a course of recitation of Vedas."this ceremony is said to have a religious as well as a political aspect. the religious aspect is the focus on expiation of sins and overall welfare of the Kingdom. the political aspectof this festival arose out of the fact that when it was started it was an "AT Home" extended by the Maharaja to the Nambudiris who were the original landlords of Kerala to keep them in good humour. The Rig Veda the Yajur veda and Samaveda are recited seven times over the grand final is lighting the Laksha deepas. Murajapam ( the recitation of vedas,) Mantra Japam (sahasranama Japam) Jala Japam (standing in knee deep water and reciting take place. the lamps lit play in the ponds on the corridors and the external walls of the temple creating a divinely awe- inspiring feeling. unique and difficult to explain it has to be viewed.
Nammalvar is the only alwar who has done mangala shasana to the Lord of this divya desam. he has composed 11 pasurams. 3678. he says Oh ye devotees come let us go to Thiruvananthapuram today itself. The moment we utter the name Kesava, all our ills will disappear, the messengers of yama will not come near us. he says "Kootrin tamargalum kuruga gillaar"
The area covered by the temple is around seven acers, the temple faces east, the temple tower is about 100ft in height and has seven stories with window like openings in the centre for each of the stories. this window like opening is lit every evening. the illumined temple tower is visible from a great distance. the corridor inside the temple is supported by 324 stone pillars and is covered by a terraced roof. this mantapam is called Seeveli, it is the path way through which the utsava deieties are taken every day round the temple. The moolavar is made of 1008 saligramas fused together.
The Neivedyam offered to the Lord here is sweet rice Kanji with salted mango pieces.
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