GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-14-Issue-3-May-June-2019 A Contemporary Analysis on the Growth of Religious Tourism and the Role of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple CHINTHU I B Research Scholar (I C H R Fellow) Department of History University of Kerala 9446409444 [email protected] ABSTRACT The tourism sector became one of the most important industries which paved the way for economic progress in many countries. There are various types of tourism existed like Eco tourism, medical tourism, Adventure tourism, Pilgrim tourism etc.,. Tourism is promoted by the government and organizations and treated as a part of their culture. In Kerala the tourism department was organized by the government to attract tourist from worldwide they also have a vision to explore the cultural characteristics of Kerala state to the world. With its natural beauty, Kerala is famous for religious centers and every year large numbers of religious or pilgrim tourists visited Kerala. Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala state is one of the important religious centres which attracted large number of tourist from in and abroad. The festivals and the religious ceremonies of the temple which were originally starts during the time of Travancore ruling dynasty and its architecture are the main attractions. But now it again amazed the world through disclose of its huge treasure. The present paper tries to analyse the historical background and the main attractions of the temple and its role to promote tourism in Kerala. INTRODUCTION “To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.” -Martin Luther King, Jr. The sacred image of India is been strengthened by various events and practices carried out in the country. Great number of tourists are attracted towards the cultural richness of the country, which includes Navarathri festival1, Kumbhamela,2 Kalachakra festivals, and many more. Government involvement and participation for the development of tourism sector attracts many a number of tourists from within and outside the country. The religious importance of many great tourist spots often increases because of the visits of renowned religious personalities. Tourism sector was an integral part of India‟s culture and tradition. In the past pilgrimage was the P a g e | 96 Copyright ⓒ 2019 Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-14-Issue-3-May-June-2019 main motive behind travel, which was centered on the holy places in the country. This resulted in development of a cultural tradition of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' 3. The peaceful and harmonious existence of various religions paved way for the development of Indian tourism under the banner of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means the world is one family.4 From the time immemorial the rulers in different parts of India built palaces, gardens, temples, forts, tombs and memorials giving expression to the depth of one's feelings and sentiments, which remains as testimony to the rich cultural heritage of this land. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous quote "Welcome A Tourist And Send Back A Friend" has been the essence of India Tourism. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS Religious tourism can be explained as Travel which aims at visiting a place, a building or a shrine which is treated as holy. Pilgrimage tourism is closely associated with the progress of temples and pilgrim devotion. From the ancient times Temples and other religious institutions are considered as the centre of energy. Energy can be acquired through different ways. Certain stones and shrines even by sight give positive energy. Some temples have Medicinal plants to provide freshness and energy. Temple architecture and stories are the significant factors that attract people towards the temples. Kerala the" Gods Own Country" attracted many tourists. Nature has endowed Kerala with a lavish decoration of all beautiful things; blue lagoons, golden beaches, backwaters, blue-green mountain ranges, wildlife sanctuaries, historical monuments, temple-churches & mosques. It is a land of Kathakali, Kalariapayattu, Elephant show, Boat races etc., among these; religious institutions played a vital role for the promotion of tourism industry through implementing and promoting the religious tourism sector. The role played by religion in the formation of Kerala society is much significant. Kerala society was famous for its nature of religious toleration, and so it acted as the meeting ground of various religious sector. Thus, Kerala became a state of religious diversity, having a population of Hindu, Muslim, Christians, Jews, Buddhist etc.., these religions and their centers of worship contribute cultural richness of Kerala. The major religious centers of Kerala ,the temples like Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple , Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Guruvayoor temple, Sabarimala temple , Vadakkumnatha temple, Muthappan temple , churches like P a g e | 97 Copyright ⓒ 2019 Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-14-Issue-3-May-June-2019 Vettukad ,Malayattur ,Edathua, Mosques like Beemapalli, Cheraman Juma Masjid kodungalloor,Ponnani Juma masjid ,Erumeli Vavar Masjid etc., there are many festivals connected with these religious centers which attracts many peoples. Thiruvananthapuram the capital city of Kerala is famous for many religious institutions. Besides these, there are some other tourist attractions in Trivandrum, such as Napier museum, Sri Chitra art gallery, Natural History Museum, Science and Technology Museum, Museum Art Gallery and Zoo. The Kovalam beach is one of the main attractions for foreign tourists, which has given it special attention on the world map. Thiruvananthapuram is a city having an international airport and connected with Indian Airlines internally. The city is also well connected with other parts of the country through its rail and road network, which makes it a comfortable zone of visit for tourists. Trivandrum is a centre in Kerala where many festivals and ceremonies took place. The official celebrations of Kerala government during festivals like Onam, Christmas, etc, are celebrated in the capital city. Among these rituals and ceremonies associated with Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple gathers much attention of the people. Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram which is famous for its historicity and recent debates on its huge treasure.5 It is the famous temple connected with the royal family of Travancore and the state. The temple is one of the 108 Divya desams,6 Holy Abodes of Vishnu. The temple is a replica of the famous Sree Adi Kesavaperumal temple at Thiruvattar in Tamilnadu.Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple gave its name to capital of Kerala state, Thiruvananthapuram. „Thiru‟ „Anantha‟ „Puram‟ means Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha.7 The city is also known as Ananthapuram or the City of Bliss and Syananduram means Where Bliss is not far off. The Principal Deity, of the temple Sree Padmanabha Swamy, is enshrined in the "Ananthasayanam" posture which means the eternal sleep of Yoga nidra on the serpent god Anantha.8 The Maharajah of Travancore bears the title, "Sree Padmanabhahadasa‟ or Servant of Lord Padmanabha which testifies their beliefs in this God. In line with the Temple Entry Proclamation, only those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple. Devotees have to strictly follow the dress code which shows affection to the god. P a g e | 98 Copyright ⓒ 2019 Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-14-Issue-3-May-June-2019 In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Padmanabhaha reclines on the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha which have five hoods facing inwards, signifying contemplation. The Lord's right hand is placed over a Shiva lingam. Sridevi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Bhudevi the Goddess of Earth, two consorts of Vishnu are by his side. Brahma emerges on a lotus, which emanates from the navel of the Lord. The deity is made from 12,000 saligrams. 9These saligrams are from the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal, and to commemorate this certain rituals used to be performed at the Pashupathinath. The deity of Sri Padmanabha is covered with, "Kootusarkara yogam", a special Ayurvedic mix, which forms a plaster that keeps the deity clean. The platforms in front of the tower and where the deity rests are both carved out of a single massive stone and hence called "Ottakkal-mandapam." It is cut out of a rock at Thirumala, about four miles north of the Thiruvananthapuram, measuring 20 feet square and 2.5 feet thick was brought and placed in front of the deity in 1731.10 In order to perform darsan and puja, one has to ascend the mandapam. 11The Deity is visible through three doors the visage of the reclining Lord and Siva Linga underneath the hand is seen through the first door; Sridevi and Divakara Muni in Katusarkara, Brahma seated on a lotus emanating from the Lord's navel, hence the name, "Padmanabhaha", gold abhisheka moorthies of Lord Padmanabhaha, Sridevi and Bhudevi, and silver utsava moorthi of Padmanabhaha through the second door; the Lord's feet, and Bhudevi and Kaundinya Muni in Katusarkara through the third door. Only the King of Travancore may perform sashtanga namaskaram, or prostrate on the "Ottakkal Mandapam". It is traditionally held that anybody who prostrates on the mandapam has surrendered all that he possesses to the Deity. Since the ruler has already done that, he is permitted to prostrate on this mandapam. Padmanabha swami temple is famous for various festivals like Arattu, Pallivetta, Bhadradeepam12, Lakshadeepam, Velakali, Seeveli, etc. The major festivals are bi-annual one is Alpashy festival which is performed in October or November month and the Panguni festival which is performed in March or April and it lasts for 10 days each. On the ninth day of this festival the Maharajah of Travancore, in his capacity as Thrippappoor Mooppan, escorts the deities to the vettakkalam for Pallivetta. Centuries back, the Pallivetta procession was said to pass through Kaithamukku, Kuthiravattom, pazhaya sreekandeswaram and P a g e | 99 Copyright ⓒ 2019 Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-14-Issue-3-May-June-2019 Putharikkandam.