Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. This temple combines Kerala and Dravidian architectural elements with towering walls and a 16th-century gopura. It is thought to be the world’s most valuable temple. In Malayalam, the city of ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ means “City of Lord Ananta,” (City of Lord Vishnu), referring to the deity of the Padmanabhaswamy temple.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a long history dating back to the eighth century. It is one of India’s 108 sacred Vishnu temples, known as Divya Desams. The Divya Desams are Lord Vishnu’s holy abodes, as described in the Tamil Azhvars’ literature (saints). Lord Vishnu, lying on Anantha, the Hooded Serpent, is the temple’s principal deity.

According to legend, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is situated within one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras. The temple is mentioned in texts such as the Puranas, such as the Skanda Purana and the Padma Purana. The temple is next to the Padma Theertham, or ‘lotus spring,’ which is a holy tank.