Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple — Maha Kumbhabhishekam

Current Context : Recently, the ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerela  underwent its Maha Kumbhabhishekam (grand consecration) for the first time in nearly 270 years, following extensive restoration work.

About sree padmanabhaswamy temple

• Location & Deity: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Anantha Padmanabha), in reclining Anantha Shayanam The city’s name derives from the deity.
• Historical Origins: Records date back to the 8th–9th century CE, but origins are older. Major renovations by King Marthanda Varma, who in 1750 offered his kingdom to the deity.
• Restoration & Rituals:
  • Supreme Court-directed renovation (2017–2025) included sanctum roof, tanks, idol.
  • Poojas with 100 golden pots and Ashtabandha Kalasam at the Thiruvambady shrine.
  • Reinstallation of a 300-year-old Vishwaksena idol made of katu sarkara yogam.
  • Dedication of three golden domes (thazhikakudams) atop the main shrine.
• Architecture & Art:
  • Blend of Kerala–Dravidian styles, with a seven-tiered gopuram, stone carvings, life-sized murals, murals of Vishnu, Gaja Lakshmi, Narasimha.
  • 80-foot gold-plated copper flag post (dhwaja stamba).
• Cultural & Scholarly Wealth:
  • Repository of ~3 million palm-leaf manuscripts (Mathilakam records) from 14th century, detailing administration and finance of kingdom and temple. Only a fraction deciphered.
• War Vault Riches: International attention after discovery of immense wealth in multiple vaults, earning its title as world’s richest temple.