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The Padmanabhaswamy Hindu shrine is categorised a divine temple: one of the most important temples dedicated to the deity Vishnu and his incarnations (known as Vaishnavism.) It is situated in the heart of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala (India’s south-west corner State.) The temple has 365 pillars — one for each day of the year.
The temple is a fusion of the Kerala and Dravadian styles: high walled with a 16th century gopuram (foundation stone c.1566) — a style more familiar with Tamil Nadu; Kerala’s neighbouring state. The site upon which the temple rests goes back to 500BC as mentioned in ancient literature as well as subsequent mentions in the 9th century AD.
During the Spring (and Autumn) equinox the sun can be seen setting through the gaps in the Gopuram (decorative entrance tower) as the openings on five of its seven tiers are lit up individually in turn. On the tower’s roof can be seen seven golden domes depicting seven worlds.
Within the inner-sanctum of the complex rests the icon of Lord Vishnu in anantha shayana posture (reclined posture of eternal yoga) deep unending meditation — yoga nidra — on Adi Shesha or the devine king of all serpents (five inward hooded snake). Two goddesses, one of Wealth and the other of The Earth, standby to attend him. From his naval emerges a lotus and within that lotus the God Brahma…
