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Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, the richest Temple/Religious Centre in the World.

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#1 · (Edited)


Legend And History

The origin histories of the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, known to the most of the rest of India as “Ananthasayanam”, are lost in antiquity. It is not possible to determine with any exactitude, from any reliable historical documents or other sources that when and by whom the original idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was set up at this location. Some well known scholars, writers and historians, like the Late Dr. L.A.Ravi Varma of Travancore, have expressed the view that this Temple was established on the first day of Kali Yuga (which is over 5000 years ago). The story of the Temple are handed down through the centuries in the form of legends. One such legend which finds a place in the old palm leaf records of the Temple, as also in the famous grantha entitled “Ananthasayana Mahatmya”, mentions that it was set up by a Tulu Brahmin hermit named Divakaramuni on the 950th day of Kali Yuga.

The story as narrated in the Ananthasayana Mahatmya goes as follows.

Divakara muni wasa great Vishnu Bhaktha ans was at that time doing penance and in deep tapas in ‘Aatharta’ Desa. One day Maha Vishnu appeared before the sage in the form of a lively and beautiful 2-year old boy without revealing his real identity. The sanyasi wasvery much taken up with the charms of the child and because of the affection he involuntarily felt for him, he prevailed upon the god-child to stay with him. The child made one condition that the sanyasi should treat him with respect at all times and at any time he fails he fails to do so he (the child) would go away that very moment. This was accepted and so the child stays with him. The hermit gave him a great deal of loving care and tolerated the childish pranks of the little boy. One day, when the sanyasi was in deep meditation at his prayers, the chills took the ‘salagram’ which the sanyasi was using for worship and put it into his mouth and made such a nuisance of himself that Divakara Mini was greatly angered and could tolerate it no further. He thereupon chastised the child. In accordance with the earlier agreement, immediately the child ran away and disappeared from the spot. While going he said, “If you wish to see me again, you will find me again in Ananthankaadu”. It was only then that Divakara Muni realized who his erstwhile child guest had been. The hermit was stricken with inconsolable grief and for many days followed what, he believed was the route taken by the child foregoing food, rest and sleep in the process. Finally he reached a wooded area near the sea coast and then caught a glimpse of the Child disappearing into a huge ‘Ilappa’ tree standing nearby. Immediately that tree fell into the ground and it assumed that shape of recumbent Sree Maha Vishnu. That divine form had its head at ‘Thiruvallam’ (a place about 3 miles distant from the Fort, at where the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy situates) and its feet at ‘Trippapur’ (5 miles away in the opposite direction). Overawed by the majesty and the size of the divine form, which thus manifested itself before him, the sanyasi prayed that the Lord condense himself in size so that it would become possible for him to contain the divine presentation within his limited field of vision. Thereupon the image of Bhagwan Vishnu shrank to a size, three times of the length of the sanyasy’s ‘Yoga dand’. Immensely gratified that his prayers had been granted, he made whatever offerings he could and conducted pooja to that wooden image. The lord havind been pleased ordained that from then onwards, poojas to Him at that place should be conducted by Tulu Brahmins from the same part of the country as Divakara Mini himself hailed. To this day half the number of ‘poojaris’ (priests) in this Temple continue to be drawn from the Tulu country.

Another generally accepted version about the origin of the Temple relates it to the famous sanyasi Vilvmangalathu Swamiyar, whose name is linked with the histories of several temples in Southern India. This swamiyar hailed from the Namboothiri Brahmin community and was a very dedicated Vishnu bhaktha. The legend that connects him with this Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is in detail almost identical with the Divakara Muni tale related above. It is said that, when Sree Maha Vishnu presented himself in the “Ananthasayana” rupa (model) before the sage at Ananthankaadu, the latter had nothing worthwhile to offer him. From a mango tree standing nearby he plucked a few unripe fruits and put them into an empty coconut shell lying thereabout and in all humility offered it as ‘nivedyam’ to the Lord. Even today one of the pooja vessels in use in the temple for he offerings of nivedyams to the presiding deity consists of a gold encased half-coconut shell and one of the important items of nivedyam in vogue from time immemorial is unripe whole mangoes pickled in brine. It has also been the practice in the Temple during the past several centuries for the morning ‘pushpanjaly’ pooja is to be conducted by a Namboothiri Brahmin sanyasi (designated pushpanjaly Swamiyar) specially commissioned for this purpose.

These traditional customs coupled with the fact that the Pushpanjaly swamiyar holds a position of importance in the ‘Ettara Yogam’ (a committee which, at one time in the distant past, was the governing body of the Temple but has, over the years, become a ceremonial and advisory panel) lend substance and some measure of credence to the theory that this Temple was founded by Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar. On the other hand the claim of the Divakara Muni story can only be substantiated by the presence, among the accredited poojaris, of a large number of Tulu Brahmins.However, it is noteworthy that at no time did this community have a place in the ‘Ettara Yogam’. Besides being presented on the ‘Yogam’, the Namboothiri Brahmins also have a position of eminence in the rituals and ceremonies of the temple in that the Tantris(Main priests) have always been drawn from this community. It is also believed that the small Sree Krishna swamy temple, located near the
Western Swamiyar Madam (Official residence of one of the two pushpanjaly Swamiyars of the Temple) has been built over the Samadhi of Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar.

Some historians and researchists hold the view that the Thiruvambadi shrine of Sree Krishnaswamy, which is a separate temple located within the main temple walls, is older than the shrine of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. According to legend the shrines consecrated to Sree Narasimhaswamy and Sree Sastha, which are located inside the temple walls, were established at various times after the main shrine of Sree Padmanabhaswamy came into being. There is mention in the ‘Bhagavatha Purana’ (canto 10, chapter 79) that Sree Bala Rama visited “Spanandoorapuram” in the course of his pilgrimage and the belief is that this refers to the shrine of “Ananthasayanam” in “Thiru Ananthapuram”. Similarly in the ‘Brahmanda Purana’ also there is a reference to “Syanandoorapura”. All these lend considerable weight to the wide spread belief that this Temple is of great age and has been held in veneration over the centuries as an important shrine of Sree Maha Vishnu. The compositions of Nammalvar, the great Vaishnavite saint in praise of Sree Maha Vishnu, prove beyond doubt that this Temple existed in the fifth century of this era.Records indicate that from very early days the management of the Temple ws in the hands of a local committee called the ‘Ettara Yogam’ mentioned earlier. Old palm leaf records also show that the foundations for the first properly constructed Temple buildings were laid by the saint and ruler named Cheraman Perumal. He is also credited with having commissioned various persons to attend to the multifarious duties connected with the rituals, ceremonials and general administration of the Temple. Very many years later, about the year 1050A.D., the Temple was reconstructed and the management re-organized by the then ruler.

The next important recorded events relate to the period 1335 A.D. to 1384 A.D. when Travancore (as known then) was ruled by a powerful and wise king named Veera Marthanda Varma. He gradually established his authority completely over the management and administration of the Temple. There are records to indicate that in the year 1375 A.D. the Alpasi Utsavam (alpasi festival, one of the two important half yearly 10 days festivals which take place regularly even these days) was conducted in the Temple. Some of the important events relating to the Temple which took place after the demise of this Ruler until 1729 A.D. are given below.

  • Between 1459 A.D. and 1460 A.D. the idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was removed to a ‘Balalaya’ for the purpose of re-construction of the roof of the sanctum sanctorum.
  • About the middle of 1461 A.D. after the reconstruction, the idol was re installed in the old location and an Ottakkal Mandapam (Single granite stone slab abutting from the sanctum sanctorum) was put up.
  • In 1566 A.D. the foundations was laid for the Gopuram (pagoda) over the main eastern entrance.
  • In 1686 A.D. there was a serious fire resulting in the total destruction of the entire temple building, structures and fittings with the exception of the main idol. Work on the re-construction of the Temple wasstarted only in 1724.
  • In 1728 A.D. propitiatory ceremonies, connected with the serious fire of 1686, were conducted.
It was in the year 1729 that the great ruler Marthanda Varma became the king of Travancore. He made plans for reconstructing the Temple and in 1729 put the work under way. In 1730 the idol was again moved to ‘balalaya’ preparatory to the renovation and reconstruction of the sanctum sanctorum. In the end of the next year the work completed. The old wooden idol was replaced with a new one fashioned out of 12000 ‘salagrams’ moulded into shape with a particular kind of mortar made of ‘kadusharkara’. This is the idol which is even today worshipped and seen in the sanctum sanctorum and to which all poojas are offered. The Mandapam in front of the idol was re-built with one single slab of granite which is two and a half feet thick and twenty feet square.
It was during this Ruler’s time that most of what is seen today within the walls of the temple was constructed. It is on record that daily 4000 stone artisans, 6000 labourers and 100 elephants worked for a period of 6 months to finish the construction of the sreebalippura (corridor). This magnificent rectangular corridor built of stone surrounds the main shrines and is meant for providing protection from the weather for the deities when taken out in ritualistic processions. The ‘Gopuram’ for which foundations had been laid in 1566, was built in this period. Similarly the ‘flag-staff’ in front of the main shrine was also erected at this time. The special Teak log was brought from the forest 30 miles away by men and elephants without touching the ground, as laid down in the sastras. The Teak pole was then covered completely with gold sheets. The renovation of the Temple tank, the Padmatheertham, including the stone flagging of the steps and its completion in the form we see it today was also undertaken during this great ruler’s time.

Deities

  • Sree Ananthapadmanabhaswamy
  • Agrashaala Ganapathi
  • Sree Yoga Narasimha Moorthi
  • Thiruvambadi Sreekrishnaswamy
  • Sreesastha (Sree Aathibhootha Nathan)
  • Kshethra Paalan
  • Agrashaala Ganapathi
  • Hanuman
  • Garuda
  • Sreerama with Seetha & Lekshmana
  • Vishwaksenan
  • Sree Veea Vyasar & Ashwathama

Attractions

Ottakkal Mandapam

The Ottakkal mandapam in the Sreepadmanabha swamy temple is a striking feature. The Mandapam is in front of the idol of Sreepadmanabhaswamy. This structure is built with one single slab of granite which is two and a half feet thick and twenty feet square. The abhishekams to Sreepadmanabhaswamy are performed in this mandapam. The pillars in this mandapam are covered with gold sheets.

Abhisheka Mandapam

This structure is in front of the Ottakkal Mandapam. This is the mandapam where the special poojas related with the temple festival and other special occasions are performed and the items for the poojas are get redied. Devotees can also use this mandapam for meditation and prayer.

Kulasekhara Mandapam

It is a marvelous and fantastic architectural work which is only on stone. It is also known as Aayiramkal Mandapam and Sapthaswara Mandapam. It is noted with its pillars which produces musical sounds when tapped. Inside this there are 28 big pillars around the mandapam. Of these on the pillars of the corner sides of the mandapam we can 11 pillars around itself. These small pillars can produce the musical notes and some musical instruments’ sounds when tapped. On the other pillars we can see some statues. On the top side of the walls the Ramayanam story is depicted. Also we can see a bell and chain in the middle of the mandapam which is made on stone. Restricted entry is allowed.

The Golden flag-staff (Dwaja Stambham)

An eighty feet height flag-staff stands in front of the main temple. The special Teak log was brought from the forest 30 miles away by men and elephants without touching the ground, as laid down in the sastras. The Teak pole was then covered completely with gold sheets. On the top of the flag-staff there is a statue of Garuda.

Gopuram

The temple has a seven storeyed gopuram. It situates on the main east entrance of the temple facing the east. It is a fine example of South Indian architecture. It has about 35 meters height. Standing on the top we can see the places around it. On the top of the gopuram we can see 7 domes of gold which is lined and glitter brightly in day light. The 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu are displayed inside the first storey of the gopuram. Restricted entry is allowed.

The Sreebalippura (Corridor)

The temple has a sreebalippura. This magnificent rectangular corridor built of stone surrounds the main shrines and is meant for providing protection from the weather for the deities when taken out in ritualistic processions. It is a marvelous architecture on stones. It is on record that daily 4000 stone artisans, 6000 labourers and 100 elephants worked for a period of 6 months to finish the construction of the sreebalippura (corridor). Around the sreebaippura we can see 365 and a one quarter pillars with attractive carvings. Each pillars are made on a single stone.

Padma Theertham

The padmatheertham pond is located on the eastern side of the temple. This is the temple tank and is one of the oldest water bodies in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Restricted entry is allowed for the devotees.

The Dravidian Style

Padmanabhaswamy temple is the only major specimen of the Dravidian style of architecture found in the State of Kerala.

Temple Architecture

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is renowned for its sculptural beauty. With the ancient work of art in stone and bronze, the mural paintings and wood carvings, this ancient temple is a fine specimen of the Dravidian style of architecture. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands majestically beside the holy tank, named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring). The tower at the entrance is a seven-storey and about 35 meter (100 foot) in height. Decked with beautiful stone carvings, this tower is constructed in South Indian architecture. There is an eighty-foot flag post (Dhwaja stambha) in front of the temple which is covered with gold plated copper sheets.

Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple has some interesting features such as the Bali Peeda Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. These halls are decorated with beautiful sculptures of various Hindu deities. Another notable part is the Navagraha Mandapa whose ceiling displays the Navagrahas.

Broad Corridor with 365 and 1/4 Sculptured Granite Stone Pillars

Extending from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum is a broad corridor which has 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with beautiful carvings. The remarkable touch of the artisans is felt in a piece of carving which has the figure of an elephant on one side and that of a bull on the other. It is notable that the horns of the bull look like the tusks of the elephant when seen from the other side and the trunk of the elephant seems like the hump for the bull.

There is a ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) which is known as the 'Nataka Sala'. Here the famous temple art of Kerala, the Kathakali, was staged in the night during the annual ten-day Padmanabhaswamy Temple Festival (Uthsavam), held during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

Temple Timings

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple opens daily at 03:30 AM and closes at 07:20 PM. However, there are specific timings for darshan.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Darshan Timings in Morning


03:30 AM to 04:45 AM
06:30 AM to 07:00 AM
8.30 AM to 10:00 AM
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
11:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Evening Darshan Timings of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple


05:00 PM to 06:15 PM
06:45 PM to 07:20 PM

Please note that the temple worship timings are subject to change during festival occasion.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Dress Code

Only Hindus are permitted inside the temple. And dress codes are to be strictly followed before entering the temple. Men should wear 'Mundu' or 'Dhoti' while visiting the temple. They also have to remove shirt or t-shirt above waist. Women have to wear Sari (Saree), Mundum Neriyathum (set-mundu), Skirt and Blouse, or Half Sari. This means no pants for men or churidhar for women is allowed inside the temple.

Dhotis are available for rent near temple locker room. Nowadays temple authorities allow to wear Dhotis over pants or churidhar for the convenience of devotees. The locker room near the temple main entrance offers Dhotis for rent. Cell Phones, Cameras, or any other Electronic Equipments are not allowed to be used inside the temple.

Pooja Details

Here are the details of Poojas that can be performed by devotees at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

General Archanas

Astothara Archana
Sahasranama Archana
Veeda Manthrarchana
Santhanagopala Archana
Vidhya Rahagopala Archana
Swayamvara Archana
Dhanwanthari Archana
Sudarshana Archana
Lekshminarayana Archana

Sooktam Archanas - Suktham

Purusha Sooktam
Bhoo Sooktha
Purusha Sooktam
Sree Sooktham
Bhaghya Sooktham
Aikyamathya Sooktham
Narayana Sooktham
Samvatha Sooktham

Abhishekams and Offerings

Aval (Sree Krishna Swamy)
Aravana
Panchamritham
Thrimadhuram
Unniyappam (Unni Appam)
Modakam (for Sree Ganapathi)
Paal Payasam
Ghee Payasama
Sharkara Payasam
Pongal
Ottayada
Idichu Pizhinja Payasam
Milk Abhishekam
Nei Vilakku
Vada Mala (Sree Hanuman Swamy)

Offerings

Here rice is offered to the Lord in coconut shell. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Unni Appam and Aval with sugar are the other main offerings to Lord Padmanabhaswamy.
  • Muzhukkappu
  • Valiyalangaram
  • Panchamrutham
  • Ksheerabhishekam
  • Neivilakku
  • Aravana
  • Unniyappam
  • Pongal
  • Ponnum seeveli
  • Thulabharam

The idol of Lord Narasimha is offered with Panakam during Thursdays.

Aval Nivedyam is the main offering to Thiruvambadi Lord Krishna.

How to Reach

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple can easily be accessed by road being its ideal location near the City Bus Station in East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram. The inter-state highway, National Highway 47 (NH 47) connects Thiruvananthapuram to all major cities and nearby states including Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Nagercoil, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station, just 1 km away from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is one of the major railway stations in Kerala, managed by Southern Railways.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, around 4 km from the city center, is the nearest airport.
 
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#82 ·
'Temple wealth belongs to God' : Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma Thampuran

Marthanda Varma, the eldest member of the Travancore royal family spoke to CNN-IBN in an exclusive interview on all the treasure that was unearthed at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple. He feels it should not become such a huge topic of discussion.

Dakshina Muraleedharan: The world is talking about the developments in an ancient temple called Sree Padmnabhaswamy Temple located at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. We have with us Marthanada Varma Thampuran - representative of the Travencore Royal Family - the custodians of this particular temple...Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN.

Thank you very much for speaking to us.


Our country has a long history about invasions and then later how we were plundered by these invaders. Do you believe that the rulers in South India like the Travancore Kings were a step ahead in protecting its people and its wealth?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran: In the South we have been more fortunate. Stronger invasions were in the North. We had mainly trade. We used to trade and supply materials even to Cleopatra. We also had wars. But we were a step ahead. Near the temple there is a bazaar now. A university was situated there then. In the BC era we had education and arms training there. All the other kings - Pandyas, Cholas wanted to know how to defeat us. They said it was because of the university. They came and broke it. Then they wondered how we have this extra capacity. They were told because of the temple. They came to break it but surrendered before the Lord.

My ancestor in 1750 after conquering Venad, it became Travancore, dedicated.the state to Lord Padmnabha. It was called Thiruppadi Dhanam - offering at the sacred step of the Lord. And he ruled the state as his servant. Now as a tourist gimmick we call the state God's own country, everything is his creation only.

Dakshina Muraleedharan:Your counsel told the Supreme Court last week that the royal family does not have any claim on the wealth. Everything is the Lord's property. Help us understand this statement.

Marthanada Varma Thampuran: I am wearing a dhoti... this comes from cotton.. cotton comes from the earth.. where did the earth come from... from God. Everything belongs to him. We are only people who have the privilege of using what he has been gracious enough to give. That we are forgetting…Many inhibitions that other people have we did not have. It was just service.

Dakshina Muraleedharan:
There is a lot of public debate on the development in the temple. Are you saddened or surprised by this variety of opinions pouring in?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran:
No Comment because that is for everybody to assess... I am as human as everybody else is. And If that which you hold in veneration is now become a subject of chit chat I can't understand it.

Dakshina Muraleedharan: So you are saying that the matter is subjudice. You will wait for the Supreme Court verdict on this and then express your opinion?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran: Yes then I will say. Whatever the decision is then I am free to say. Now whatever I say would be coloured in some way by everybody. That I don't want.

Dakshina Muraleedharan: The world is awestruck by the revelations in the temple. But the royal family does not seem to be surprised at all. Why is that?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran:
It has been our fortune that we were able to serve. So there is no surprise. Only that we are surprised that other people are surprised.

Dakshina Muraleedharan: Any message that you want to give to the devotees of Sree Padmnabha around the world?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran:
If you are a devotee increase your devotion. Don't waste time on unnecessary debate.

Dakshina Muraleedharan:
The royal family including yourself are known for your generosity. There is an opinion that atleast a percentage of the wealth should be taken outside the temple and spent on social cause. How would you react to that?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran: That comes to thin ice. I won't comment. Its still in the court. I won't say anything now.

Dakshina Muraleedharan: Does this revelation throw light on the history of South India or the history of the Travancore royal family?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran: Let the Supreme Court decide on that in their own way. The easier way, the comfortable way or the hard way.

Dakshina Muraleedharan:
People are also surprised at the fact that this was preserved so well by our erstwhile kings. But its not the same world anymore. Are you like many others concerned about security?

Marthanada Varma Thampuran:
Ofcourse security is a necessity. Even at home you need security. When you make people understand... People who are not thinking about anything else other than their body... Know of these things... There is a grave responsibility... And that I believe are being seen to by the right people... In the right way.

Source
 
#83 ·
Residents near temple unruffled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stupendous valuables discovered deep inside the dark-ridden vaults of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple have infused an air of vigil and activity in the temple. Ever since the tale of treasures crossed borders, the temple has been witnessing a steady inflow of people, which, to some of the local men, is unusual at this point of time.

The revelation of treasures has fortified the temple stronger than ever before. At every corner of the temple can be seen armed policemen and commandos warily filtering every single soul frequenting the temple.

However, the change of air has in no way altered the mood of those who reside on the purlieu of the temple. Without any concerns and complaints, they continue to leave everything to the will of Lord Padmanabha. They are vague about the possibility of an eviction. They are unruffled by the sudden presence of khaki-men everywhere. ‘’These are all affairs related to temple and government. Why should we be over-bothered about all such things?’’ asks Sasidharan, who carves wooden idols of gods in a small building close to the temple.

Saraswathy, who has always been a devout of Padmanabha since her childhood, says that she has not even thought about the possibility of having to go away from the proximity of God.

‘’This is where I was born and grew up. All these treasures that you are talking about have always been there in the temple. Just because it is revealed, our lives are not going to change. We don’t even talk about eviction. Should we have to do that?’’ wonders Saraswathy, who sells banana chips in front of the temple. She is also glad that the unexpected influx of tourists has boosted her business, which, otherwise, is on a lull during monsoon.

The local people and some of the oldest devouts residing in and around the temple premises are not at all grumpy about the securitymen. ‘’How could the presence of securitymen affect the ambience of the temple? They are here because of their duty. We have absolutely no complaints about the security measures.

We know they are here to guard the temple and we are only happy to let them do their job,’’ says Jalaja, a housewife.

Source
 
#86 · (Edited)
Treasure found in cellars of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is temple asset and not 'treasure trove': Kerala Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress )-led UDF Government today said the huge wealth found from the cellars of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here was the asset of the shrine and could not be termed a 'treasure trove'.

The statement, by Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar in the Assembly, came in the wake of some quarters arguing that the assets would come under the definition of 'trove' and the state should take over it under the Kerala Treasure Trove Act.

"You repeatedly describe it as 'nidhi' (treasure trove). It is the wealth of the temple," Sivakumar replied to a question by former home minister and CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan .

He said foolproof security had been provided to the temple with personnel drawn from police, Rapid Action Force and State Commando Force. The government would bear all costs for the safety of the invaluable wealth in the cellars, he said in reply to a question from Palode Ravi (Congress).

A total of 53 security personnel have been positioned inside the temple and another 74 outside the shrine. The entire security was under control of ADGP Venugoplan K Nair, the Minister said.

Referring to reports on the value of assets found in the temple, Sivakumar said the temple was now the richest one in India. He also said that flow of devotees had increased significantly following the discovery of the valuables.

The invaluable articles found during an inventory included rare jewels, stone-studded crowns, heaps of gold and silver coins, idols and gold, silver and brass platters and lamps, whose value is estimated at nearly Rs one lakh crore.

Source
 
#88 ·
Concern over temple security raised in Assembly


A view of the ‘gopuram' at the eastern side of the
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.


Concerns over the security provided to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the State capital were raised in the Assembly on Tuesday in the wake of several chain-snatching incidents in the precincts of the temple where huge treasures were recently found stored in subterranean chambers.

The security concerns were brought to the notice of the House by the former Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishan who intervened during a short-notice question raised by Palode Ravi.

Media reports


Mr. Balakrishnan said the media had reported that four chain-snatching incidents had occurred within 12 hours near the temple premises on Monday.

The government said it had provided adequate security to the temple but the security was appallingly bad, he said. Mr. Balakrishnan asked whether the security zone as announced by the government had come into effect.

Minister for Devaswom and Transport V.S. Sivakumar said elaborate security arrangements had been provided at the temple. A team of officials led by Additional Director-General of Police Venugopal K. Nair had been entrusted with the task. A committee headed by Mr. Nair and comprising the ADGP (Intelligence), IGP (Intelligence) and IGP (South Zone) had been asked to submit a detailed report to the government on providing fool-proof security cover to the temple.

State's responsibility

Mr. Sivakumar said the examination of the temple vaults by a Supreme Court-appointed committee had not been completed. The Chief Minister had made it clear that the temple's security would be the responsibility of the State. The State was willing to meet all the financial commitments for that.

He said the State police had deployed 53 policemen inside the temple in three shifts and another 74 outside, also in three shifts. A 24-hour control room had been set up at adjacent to the Fort police station. A 10-member telecommunication wing had also been set up.

Earlier, Mr. Ravi urged the State government to request the Union government to declare the temple a national pilgrimage centre. He also urged the State to ask the Centre to provide the services of military personnel for the temple security.

Source
 
#89 ·
An old pic of Padmanabhaswamy temple..

hotograph taken about 1900 by the Government photographer, Zacharias D'Cruz of a view of the Public Offices in Trivandrum, in the erstwhile Travancore . It is one of 76 prints in an album entitled 'Album of South Indian Views' of the Curzon Collection





Dunno whether this pic was posted earlier
 
#91 ·
'The riches belong to nobody, certainly not to our family'

The head of a former royal family renounced any personal claim to billions of dollars' worth of ancient treasure discovered in a temple in Thiruvananthapuram, the kingdom his ancestors once ruled. Padma Rao Sundarji speaks to Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the former King of Tranvancore.

PRS:What is your family's connection with the Padmanabhaswamy temple?
Varma: We are the Cheras, one of the four erstwhile royal families of South India and have a long and dynastic family tree. By 1750 Travancore had become rich and big. So my ancestor, the then king, made a unique spiritual and historical contribution. He decided to surrender all his riches to the temple - Padmanabhaswamy is also our family deity. He said our family would look after that wealth, the temple and the kingdom forever. But he did want the ego that comes with possessing it. He was influenced by Emperor Ashoka's catharsis in the killing fields of Kalinga. So he declared our family to be Padmanabha's 'dasas', devotees. A servant can resign his job, but a dasa can do so only when he dies.

PRS: You are one of the wealthiest families in India and yet, you live in a spartan way, unlike many other ex-royals. Why?
Varma: I have to go back a bit in time, to explain why. Everybody thinks that we Indians first rose against British colonial rule in 1857. Wrong. In 1741, Travancore was the only Asian power to defeat the Dutch when they arrived here. After the battle, all the Dutch soldiers kneeled before my ancestors. One Dutchman, Benedictus Eustachius, even joined our army. We called him the Great Kapitan. Later, I learned that he was [US president] Franklin Roosevelt's ancestor when the latter's grandson came to look at our historical records.

Then in 1839, almost two decades before the mutiny, we rose against the British. Our punishment was severe. They disbanded our police and army of 50,000, transferred our capital to Kollam, dumped two British regiments on us, and ordered us to pay for their upkeep. Thomas Munroe named himself Diwan of Travancore. When our spirit still did not flag, they brought in missionaries. But we did not get gobbled up by Western thought. We travel abroad occasionally, but it has not affected or changed our simple way of life. Why am I telling you this? So that you get an idea of how much our life has revolved around our faith, despite so many outside influences and kept us going.

PRS: How do you feel about what is happening around the temple right now - its cellars being opened up, your donations being discussed around the world, the criticism, the furore?
Varma: Sorry, I cannot comment on what is happening there - the matter is sub-judice. But this much I will say. I have no problem with the inventory and additional security being provided by the state to the temple. But please don't remove those objects from the temple. They belong to nobody, certainly not to our family. They belong to god and our law permits that. All these debates swirling around the riches is unfortunate. That's all I can say - I have to listen to my doctor, lawyer and auditor. Our family has been donating objects to the temple for centuries. As chief patron of the temple, I go there every day. If I miss a day, I am fined Rs 166.35 - an old Travancore tradition.

PRS: But you cannot deny that such wealth could be put to better use for the poor.
Varma: We Indians are more educated now. But this reaction to donations inside a temple is anything but progressive. We are slowly losing our Indian identity. Money has become everything. But I am not surprised. I would rather be philosophical than disillusioned because I can't change the world.

PRS: Then there is the rationalist argument that this is blind faith.
Varma: Please think of England's Henry VIII in the late 1500s. He had two passions. Wives and money. So he pillaged churches. Finally, he ran into a problem because he wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The church refused, because she was a zealous Spanish Catholic. His cardinal advised him to invent his own church. So he did that - just to get a divorce. Is that rational?
It is rather difficult to explain our faith to the new world where people have none anymore. When selfishness grows, everything you do seems right, and everything others do seems wrong. It's all about what do I get, not about what do I do. I like the memory of my trip to a game reserve South Africa. After seeing many wild animals, I asked the guide which was the most rapacious and fearsome. He showed me a mirror.

PRS: What is your source of income? What does your family live off ?
Varma: We have travel and hotel businesses. I am chairman of a former British company that exports various items from Kerala - but no, not pepper to Buckingham Palace, as reported. We also run seven trusts. We spend R5-8 lakh a year on education, health and housing for the poor. We pay good salaries. And the family itself contributes money every month. No government has acknowledged our work but that is all right. We do it because we want to do it.

PRS: Gold statues studded with rubies and diamonds, saphhires, gold coins of the Napoleonic era and the East India Company. Is all that true?
Varma: I have never been inside those cellars. Our philosophy has always been not to look at such objects and get tempted. But of course I know what is inside them.

PRS: Are the younger members of your family angrier than you about the heated public debate?
Varma: I am the most hot-blooded in this family but on this matter, we all feel the same. I was a soldier - a colonel for 15 years in the Madras Regiment. I would like to ask those criticizing us for donating these objects: why are they bothered about what someone else has done? What are they doing in the name of faith themselves ? Why the hot gossip over a donation to God?

PRS: At 90, you don't even use a walking stick. What is your daily routine ?
Varma: We have all been brought up very strictly and frugally. My day starts at 4 am with yoga. I only drink milk, I am a vegetarian and a teetotaler. I read the Vedas everyday. I go the temple for a ten-minute private audience with the deity every morning. After that, I indulge in one of my hobbies - "media surgery." I read the newspapers and clip articles over breakfast. I have a collection of the past 30 years. I will give those to the Trust because my children may not be interested. People come to meet me, they invite me to inaugurate functions. I speak extempore. I go from vertical to horizontal for about 20 minutes in the afternoon. I am in bed by 945. I have always slept well. Since there is nothing on my conscience, sleep comes swiftly.

PRS: Are you now thinking of insuring those treasures, now that the whole world is talking about them, or are they already insured ?
Varma: (laughs) I am least worried that they will be stolen. If that happens, then it was the Lord's will.

PRS: Among your ancestors were famous Carnatic musician Swati Thirunal and painter Raja Ravi Varma. What are your passions?
Varma: Those two ancestors gave music and art divinity and humanity respectively. That continues. I love art. I once saw a piece of exquisite china in Venice. It was a girl on a swing with the sand looking worn just where her feet touched the ground each time. It cost 100 pounds, I could only afford 40, as foreign exchange was limited those days. So I went away. The dealer called me back and gave it to me. He said he could tell that I was not one of those who ordered 200 pieces of one kind, that I valued minute details.

PRS: Kerala has been a Communist bastion for more than 50 years. Don't you find it peculiar that people here still flurry around you, they respect you, they still call you Your Highness.
Varma: Yes, that is quite amazing because I am a simple man, I don't expect it at all. At religious gatherings in Haridwar where one of my two gurus lives, I always sit in the last row and am always dressed like this - mundu and bush-shirt. People who don't know me come looking for the Raja of the South. When I raise my hand, they don't believe me.

PRS: How wealthy is your family, compared to the other - and internationally more famous - royals of Rajasthan and elsewhere?
Varma: That is a mere technicality and has never been relevant to me. But I'll tell you a story which will give you an idea. There used to be a British gun salute for the princely states of India: 21, the highest for the richest ruler, 11 for the poorest. When Tranvancore refused to contribute soldiers to the British Army in World War I, our slipped from 21 to 19.

PRS: Who is your heir?
Varma: We have a matriarchal system of inheritance. I have a daughter and a son but it is my sister's son who will be king after me. I remember a European lady visiting us. I explained this complicated law of succession to her. When she went back, she told her friends that she had not understood a word, but only knew that whatever it was, it was good for women. Kerala is slowly turning patriarchal again. That is not good. Overall in our country, we treat women as second-class citizens. When you look at a man, you are looking at a human being, when you look at a woman, you are looking at a family.

PRS: What is the feeling you get, when you spend those ten minutes at the Padmanabha shrine ? The daily communion between ruler and master, as you put it ?
Varma: Gooseflesh. Everything is surrendered. It is a great, elating feeling. My hair stands on end with joy. Each and every time.

(Padma Rao Sundarji is South Asia bureau chief of Der Spiegel)

Source : Hindustan Times
 
#95 · (Edited)


  • The Temple are should be made "High Security Area" : Police Report
  • The counting of devotees coming to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple will be taken today

Source : Kerala Kaumudi



Source : Malayala Manorama



  • The "Treasure" should be kept in the temple itself and Govt. will inform this to the Supreme Court on Friday



  • The "Teasure" belongs to the temple : Govt.

Source : Mathrubhumi
 
#99 ·


  • The Temple are should be made "High Security Area" : Police Report
  • The counting of devotees coming to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple will be taken today

Source : Kerala Kaumudi

  • The "Teasure" belongs to the temple : Govt.

Source : Mathrubhumi
Government / temple trust should seek technical help from Tirupathi Dewaswom,Siddhi Vinayak Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple,Mumbai while planning for hightech security to the temple.
 
#96 ·


  • The number of devotees visiting the Ananda Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Undavalli village of Guntur in AP is increasing after the news of unearthing of the"Treasure" at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
Source : Mathrubhumi

Padmanabha cave temple in Guntur under threat

UNDAVALLI (Guntur): With unearthing of the gold and diamond ornaments at Ananta Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, a cave temple of Ananta Padmanabhaswamy in Undavalli has gained prominence. However, miscreants hoping to find hidden wealth, are proving to be a threat to its existence.

People visiting in large numbers to the Undavalli caves are therefore urging authorities to provide proper security at the temple.

K Eswara Reddy, a local said proper research should be done on the caves as there was a threat to the temple, on the belief of hidden treasure in the caves.

The cave temple, said to be built during the reign of of Chalukyas in the 6th or 7th century, has a single stone 25-feet long and five feet wide Ananta Padmanabhaswamy idol on the second floor of the four-storeyed temple. Former sarpanch of Undavalli Jonna Sivasankara Rao said, “The caves were taken over by the archaeology department in 1958,” the sarpanch said.

Prof P Ramalakshmi, head of archaeology department, Acharya Nagarjuna University said there was no chance of hidden treasures in the cave shrine, as it had no patronage.

“As the Thiruvananthapuram temple had continuous patronage of kings for centuries, the hidden treasures were unearthed,” she added. She said the caves belong to the reign of Vishnukundin.

“The precious idols should not be defaced in name of a treasure hunt and necessary protection arranged for the temple,” Ramalakshmi observed.
Source
 
#97 ·
‘Treasures must remain in temple itself’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The revelations that have followed the inventory preparation of the articles inside the chambers in Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple are like a Pandora’s box opened. It has posed a severe security threat to the temple and the premises, for which immediate action must be taken by the State Government, the Thiruvananthapuram Citizens’ Protection Forum has said.

At the meeting, the members said that the pious atmosphere of the temple has been diluted by the recent happenings. The treasure that was stored and preserved in the chambers for centuries must remain there itself.

The meeting said that the covenant prepared by the Centre and Travancore’s last king Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma has no legal sanctity anymore. The state has not declared the temple as its heritage asset yet. Hence, transferring the assets of the temple to any museum, whether state-run or a National museum, is condemnable.

The running of the temple must be devoid of any politics. The Forum pointed out that in the case of other religious institutions, there is no meddling of outsiders or politicians. So the trend of including politicians in the running of temples must be stopped. The existence of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple Employees Union (CITU) is a glaring example of this.

The presence of high rises near the temple also poses a threat to the temple’s security, the Forum said. It also said that incompetent police personnel must be kept away from the temple security.

The way chain-snatchings were reported in the temple the other day is testimony to this.

Source
 
#100 ·
3-tier security planned



July 13: Multi-layer security comprising sophisticated gadgets and armed policemen and incurring a cost of about Rs30 crore has been proposed for the priceless wealth in the vaults of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple.

Additional DGP (administration) Venugopal K. Nair submitted a detailed security plan on Wednesday to additional chief secretary (home) K. Jayakumar. The implementation of the plan, however, was subject to Supreme Court directions and further discussions with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, sources said. The plan has been prepared taking into account the opinion of the temple authorities. The emphasis is on minimising inconvenience to devotees.

Police sources said aerial surveillance with the support of satellite images was also explored. Cops have already recommended to the government to notify the area around the temple as special security zone by invoking provisions of Kerala Police Act. ADGP has also suggested relocating certain residences and shops close to the temple.

Source
 
#104 ·
One doubt, whether everybody, non hindus also allowed entry inside the Temple? I doubt!

Some temples do have strict rules which deny entry to non hindus,(No restriction for Sikhs, Budhists, Jains etc ) like Guruvayoor temple.



Source : Metro Manorama
 
#102 ·
SC will appoint committee to value temple treasure

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has decided to appoint a team of experts by next Friday to suggest valuation, safe keeping and security of the wealth found in Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthpuram.

The apex court said that decision on opening of other vaults can be taken later.

It said the Rs 1 crore given by the state for security is not enough.

Rare jewels, stone-studded crowns, heaps of gold and silver coins, idols and gold, silver and brass platters and lamps, whose value is estimated at nearly Rs one lakh crore, has been found in the temple.

The treasure makes it one of the richest temples in the country.

Source
 
#103 ·
SC reserves orders on temple treasure

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today reserved its interim orders on the question of permitting inventory, videography and providing fool proof security to the estimated over Rs 1.50 lac crore wealth unearthed from chambers of the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

A bench of justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik felt that the massive wealth was perhaps at a "risk" in view of the widespread publicity given about it in the media.

The apex court took on record the affidavit filed by the state government and various other parties giving their suggestions for proper maintenance and upkeep of the temple.

Significantly, the Kerala government asserted that the entire wealth found at the shrine belonged exclusively to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and no body can lay claim on it.

The state government said that it has put in place a security apparatus with an Additional Director General of Police-rank officer monitoring the situation through a 24-hour control room set up for the purpose. It was spending Rs 1 crore on security measures every month.

Source
 
#110 ·
url

ശ്രീപത്മനാഭ സ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിന്* സംസ്*ഥാന സര്*ക്കാര്* ഏര്*പ്പെടുത്തിയ സുരക്ഷാ ക്രമീകരണങ്ങളില്* സുപ്രീംകോടതിക്ക്* അതൃപ്*തി. ക്ഷേത്ര സുരക്ഷയ്*ക്കായി വകയിരുത്തിയ ഒരു കോടി രൂപ അപര്യാപ്*തമാണ്*. ഉരുക്ക്* ചുമര്* ഉള്*പ്പെടെയുള്ള സുരക്ഷാ സംവിധാനങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ച്* ആലോചിക്കണം. വിദഗ്*ധരുടെ സേവനം സുരക്ഷയ്*ക്കായി പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്തണം. ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ സ്വത്ത്*ശേഖരത്തെ കുറിച്ചു വിദഗ്*ധരുടെ മൂല്യനിര്*ണയം ആവശ്യമാണെന്നും കോടതി വ്യക്*തമാക്കി.

Additional Security arrangements needed @ d temple.. also more funds 4 d purpose - said the Supreme Court
 
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