Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple, this Mahavishnu Temple is located inside East Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram - the capital city of Kerala, India. It is also one of the seven Parasurama temples in Kerala. Lord Vishnu is enshrined here in the Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra), lying on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake. According to traditions, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Kshetram is believed to have been worshipped by Chandra (Moon God) and Lord Indra (the head of the Devas)Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in Kerala, South India.The city of Thiruvananthapuram is named after the Lord. The word Thiruvananthapuram literally means "The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy".

Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of the Lord Mahavishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints).In the sanctum sanctorum, Sri Padmanabha reclines on the serpent Anantha or Adi Sesha.[5] The serpent has 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.

Importance of the Idol :- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Worshipped through 3 Doors The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is made up of 10008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top. On top of them "Katusarkara Yogam", Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.
According to a popular belief, the first 5 steps signify the five indriyas or the senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), the following 8 the ragas (tatwa, kama, krodha, moha, lobha, madha, matsraya, and ahamkara), the next 3 the gunas (satwa, rajas and thamas) followed by vidya and avidya. Climbing these would take the devotee closer to self-realisation. The act of crossing the 18 steps is so sacred that nobody can mount them without undertaking the rigorous 41 day fast and carrying the irumudi. It is also widely assumed that the pathinettu padikal symbolize the 18 puranas; others believe that they connote the 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappan obliterated evil.One needs to have the sacred Irumudi on head while going up or down the 18 steps and while descending the steps the devotees climb down backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.

Deities
 Sree Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Agrashaala Ganapathi Sree yoga narasimha moorthi
  Thiruvambadi Sreekrishnaswamy
  Sreesastha (Sree aathibhootha Nathan)
  Kshethra paalan
  Agrashaala Ganapathi
  Hanuman swamy
  Garuda swamy
  Sreeramaswamy with Seetha and Lekshmanan
  Vishwaksenan
  Sree Veeda Vyasar and Ashwathama

Festivals:- There are two annual festivals of the Temple which culminate with a grand procession, with the three deities such as Sree Padmanabha, Narasimha Swamy and Lord Krishna are carried in flower-decked and aesthetically decorated Garuda Vahanas to the Shankhumukhom beach for Aaraattu. Another major annual festival is the Navaratri festival on which the idols of Saraswathi, Durga, and Murukan are brought to the Kuthira malika palace in front of Sree Padmanabha temple as a procession. The famous Swathi Music Festival is also held every year during this festival. In the Laksha deepam, hundred thousand lamps are lit in and around the temple premises

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.