Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple MODE OF WORSHIP Important Nivedyam in this temple is Uppu manga( unripe mango soaked in brine water)which is offered in gold covered coconut shell which is more than 1200 year old. Other offerings are Unni Appam, Mothakam, Aval with Sugar, Thula Payasam, Pal payasam are also important. LOCATION Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. LEGEND ARCHITECTURE The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian style of architecture. It is a best example of South Indian architecture, with an impressive seven -story gopuram (tower).A flagstaff encased in gold stands There are many legends regarding the origin of the temple. in the huge courtyard.It is known for its murals and carvings. In the main courtyard, the Kulashekara One such legend says that the Sage Divakara prayed to Krishna for his mandapam, there is some intricate granite sculpture and nearly 400 pillars are supporting the temple darshan. Krishna came in disguise as a small, mischievous boy. The boy corridors . swallowed the Saligrama which was kept in Puja. The Sage became enraged at this and chased the boy until the boy hid himself behind a FESTIVAL The major festivals are bi-annual. The Alpashy festival which is in October/November tree. and the Painkuni festival which is in March/April, lasts for 10 days each. Navaratri festival is a major The tree fell down and became Vishnu in Anantha Shayanam (reclining annual festival.The idols of Saraswati , Durga , and Murukan are brought to the kuthira malika palace in posture on Anantha the serpent)--but when he did so, he was of an front of Padmanabha temple as a procession. This festival lasts for 9 days. The famous Swathi music extraordinarily large size. festival is held every year during this festival. The biggest festival in this temple is laksha deepam , The Sage, recognizing that the tree was Vishnu, pleaded that because of (hundred thousand lamps are lit in and around the temple) which is unique and commences once in 6 the huge form in which the lord had manifested before him, he could years. Prior to this festival, chanting of prayers and recitation of three vedas is done for 56 days. neither have a mind fulfilling darshan nor circumbulate him. He then asked the Lord to shrink to a smaller proportion - thrice the length of his staff. Immediately, Lord Vishnu shrunk himself, and told the sage that he should be worshipped through three doors. These doors are now the doors in the temple through which the idol may be viewed. Through the first door, the worship is offered to Shiva ; through the second entrance to Brahma on the Lord's lotus navel, and through the third is Vishnu's feet, which are said to lead to salvation. .