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S.R.S.D. Memorial Shiksha Shodh Sansthan, Agra, India UGC Sl. No. 64416 UTOPIA OF GLOBAL EDUCATION A Peer Reviewed Refereed International Research Journal ONLINE ISSN-2454-7387 Volume III, Issue II, December 2017 www.srsshodhsansthan.org An Historical Enquiry on Padmanabhaswamy Temple Thiruvananthapuram Dr. Praveen O.K Assistant Professor, Department of History Sree Keralavarma College, Thrissur, Kerala, India Abstract The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century. It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the hooded Serpent. Marthanda Varma, noted among Travancore kings, did a major renovation to the temple and it resulted in the present day structure of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It was Marthanda Varma who introduced the Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam festivals in the temple. Murajapam, which literally means continuous chanting of prayers, is still conducted in the temple once every six years. Keywords: Ananthapuram, padmanabhan, wealth, pooja, festivels. Introduction Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram. The 8th century Alwars glorifies the Lord Sree Padmanabha. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple gave its name to Kerala‟s state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. „Thiru‟ „Anatha‟ „Purram‟ means sacred Abode of Lord Anatha Padmanabha. The city also known as Anandapuram. Ananda refers to Sree Padmanabha Himself Hindu scriptures refers to the supreme Being as „Sachidananda‟. Origin of the Research Problem There are many legends regarding the origins of the Temple. One such legend says that, Vilvanmangalathu Swamiyar, residing near Ananthapuram Temple, Kasargod prayed to Lord Vishnu for his darshan. The Lord came in disguise as a small, mischievous boy. The defiled the saligama which was kept for Pooja. The saga became enraged at this and chased away the boy. The boy disappeared After a long search, when be was walking on the banks of Arabian Sea, be Vol. III, Issue II, December 2017 ONLINE ISSN-2454-7387 hearda Pulaya lady threatening her child that she would throw him in Ananthankadu. The moments the Swamy heard the word Ananthankadu, he was delighted. He proceeded to Ananthankadu based on the directions of the lady from whom he enquired. The sage reached Ananthakadu searching for the boy. There he saw the boy merging into an IIUPPA tree (Indian Bufter Tree). The tree fell down and became Anatha Sayana Moorti (Vishnu reclining on Anantha). But the Lord was of an extraordinarily large size with head at Thiruvallom, navel at Thiruvananthapuram and Lotus-feet at Thrippadapuram (Thrippappur). The sage requested the Lord to shrink to a smaller Proportion thrice the length of his staff. Immediately, the Lord Shrank, But even then many IIuppa trees obstructed-a complete vision of the Lord. The sage saw the Lord in three parts- thirumukham, thiruvudal and thrippadan. Swami prayed to Padmanabha to be forgiven. The Swami offered Rice Kanji and Uppumanga (Salted mango Pieces) in a coconut shell to the Perumal which he obtained from the Pulaya Woman. The spot where the sage had darsan of the Lord belonged to Koopakkara Potti and Karuva Potti with the assistance of the reigning log and some Brahmin households a Temple was constructed. Koopakkara Potti was made the Tantri of the Temple. Interdisciplinary Relevance Temples has great contribution to the state economy, the role of the state in the development of the infrastructure for the promotion of worship emerges as an important issue. Similarly, studies about temple economics, temple politics and the sociological aspects of temple clienteles also has interdisciplinary significance. Objectives of the Study 1. To analyse the Historical importance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. 2. To evaluate the architecture of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. 3. To analyse the poojas and festivals of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. 4. To study the present administrative structure of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Methodology Methodology adopted in this work is combined of both descriptive and analytical method. It depends upon primary and secondary sources for data. Primary sources are planned to collect by conducting field visits. This documented information was integrated with historical and epigraphically data. Published literary works were used to understand historical background and antiquity of temple. The information given in the present study primarily depends on the observations of the researcher from the field. Maps, plan and photographs are used to supplement the textual information. Observational method also adopted to identify the details of sculpture and paintings with their distinguishing features. Analytical method is used to study the earlier research works done on the subject and to incorporate necessary details in the present work. Thus An Historical Enquiry on Padmanabhaswamy …. 81 | P a g e Vol. III, Issue II, December 2017 ONLINE ISSN-2454-7387 an integrated Methodology is adopted in this Research work. In order to achieve the all objectives, the case study also adopted. Review of the Present Study National Level In a study conducted by Brown (1956) Ferguson (1910) Gravely (1936) Kramrisch (1946) reflects a considerable body of information concerning temple architecture ritual and administration Rao‟s (1998) in his study comes to the conclusion that it was the Brahmins and the Kshathriyas who promoted temples during many period. If Rao‟s argument is applied in Kerala it is difficult to categorically state that temple worship was initiated by the Brahmins and the Kshathriyas. This is because Brahmins migrated to Kerala from the neighbouring states much later. Narayanan (1969) describing the social and economic conditions that prevailed during the period of the Chera dynasty explains that there is no evidence to believe that there were Brahmins in Kerala until the first century A.D. Thus the point to discuss is if not the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas, who promoted temples in Kerala in the early stages of first and second century A.D. Madhavan (1985) explains the traditions practised in temples after 14th century A.D. Parameshwaran Pillai (1986) studies various aspects related to Kerala temples like its historical background architectural style, belief system, inscriptions and temple arts. As it deals with many areas, the book gives an outline of these aspects rather than an in-depth approach to any specific issue. International Level Fuller (2003) commenting on the system of worship in temples in Kerala says that it is a standardized system which is unique in India (Prestler (1998) opines that the political and social conditions prevailing in the state reflect in the type of intervention in temples. Significance of the Study Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a 100-foot, Seven-tier gopuram made in the Pandyan style. The temple and its assets belong to Lord Padmanabhaswamy and are Controlled by a trust run by the Royal Family. World famous wealthiest temple consist of gold, ornaments, Precious stones and other Valuable gold idols etc. The temple‟s Jewels Values approximately Rs. 90,000/- crores. Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is one of the important monuments in Travancore. Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Vedic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, India, in the state of Kerala. The shine is run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore. The temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (Holy Abodes of Vishnu) – principal centres of worship of the deity in Vaishnavism. The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil literature cannon of the Tamil Alwar saints (6th – 9th centuries ad), with structural additions made to it throughout the 16th century, when its ornate An Historical Enquiry on Padmanabhaswamy …. 82 | P a g e Vol. III, Issue II, December 2017 ONLINE ISSN-2454-7387 Gopuram was constructed. The Temple is a replica of the famous Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple at Thiruvattar. Its Potential Contribution The temple and is assets belong to Lord Padmanabhaswamy, and are controlled by a trust run by the Royal family. T P Sundara Rajan‟s litigations changed the way the world looked at the Temple. The Kerala High Court ordered the temple and its assets be managed by the State on 31 January 2011. As trustees of the temple, the Travancore Royal family have challenged the Kerala High Court‟s decision in the Supreme Court of India. In June 2011, the Supreme Court directed the authorities from the archaeology department and fire services to open the secret chambers of the temple for inspection of the items kept inside. The temple has 6 vaults (Kallaras), labeled as A to F for book keeping purpose by the Court. While vaults A and B have been unopened over the past many years, vaults C to F have been opened from time to time. The two priests of the temple, the „Periya Nambi‟ and the „Thekkedathu Nambi‟, are the custodians of the four vaults, C to F, which are opened periodically. The Supreme Court had directed that “the existing practices, procedures and rituals” of the temple be followed while opening vaults C to F and using the articles inside. Vaults A and B shall be opened only for the purpose of making an inventory of the articles and then closed. The review of the temple‟s underground vaults was undertaken by a seven-member panel appointed by the supreme court of India to generate an inventory, leading to the enumeration of a vast collection of articles that are traditionally kept under lock and key. A detailed inventory of the temple assets, consisting of gold, jewels, and other valuables was made. Several 18th century Napolenic era coins were found, as well as three-and-a-half feet tall gold idol of Mahavishnu studded with rubies and emeralds, and ceremonial attire for adorning the deity in the form of 16- part gold anki weighting almost 30 kilograms (66ib) together with gold coconut shells, one studded with rubies and emeralds.