Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams in the Sri Vaishnava tradition and features a blend of Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles. The temple is renowned for its intricate mural paintings, stone carvings, and the reclining idol of Lord Padmanabha on Adishesha.

Visitors can expect a spiritually significant experience with strict traditional dress codes and security procedures. The temple complex features ornate gopurams, mural paintings, and carved pillars. Darshan involves viewing the deity through three doors during specific time slots. Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner sanctum but can view the exterior architecture and visit adjacent museums.

The temple dates back to the 8th century and was significantly renovated in the 18th century by Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore, who dedicated his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha in 1750. A record-room was constructed within the temple compound around 1425 AD.

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred sites in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. It serves as the tutelary deity of the former Travancore royal family and represents a fusion of Kerala and Dravidian temple architecture with rich mural art traditions.