The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala is famous for its richness and eeriness. But a Hindu devotee needs to go beyond all the unwanted noise. The murti of Padmanabhaswamy is unique in numerous ways. It is very rare to have darshan of many unique aspects of Hindu tradition in a single temple sanctum. Here are 12 reasons why a Hindu should have darshan of Padmanabhaswamy Murti once in lifetime.
- Padmanabhaswamy Murti lies on the Ananta Sesha (Serpent Adi Sesha) who has three coils and five heads. The three coils represent the three gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas. The five heads represent panchendriya or the five senses. The concept of Gunas and five senses is unique to Hindu religion and is mentioned in all Hindu scriptures. They play a very important role in the path of self realization.
- The total length of the Padmanabhaswamy murti is 18 feet and is viewed through three doors. The murti is immovable.
- The left hand of Padmanabhaswamy murti rests on a Shivling. This Shivling is made of Shaiva Salagrama.
- The murti of Padmanabhaswamy is made using Kadu Sharkara process – a complex mix of numerous ingredients like mud, clay, kashayams, cereals, tree resins and spices.
- 12008 salagrama are inside the murti of Padmanabhaswamy, which is covered using Kadusarkara prayogam.
- Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – are present in the Padmanabhaswamy Murti. Shiva in the form of Shivling and Brahma in the navel of Vishnu.
- There is a separate standing murti of Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum. This murti is flanked by Goddess Lakshmi and Bhudevi. All abhishekams and offerings are made to this murti. It is immovable.
- There is another sitting murti of Vishnu beside the standing murti of Vishnu. This is made of silver. This murti is moved around the temple during festivals and rituals and this is the utsava murti.
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple sanctum sanctorum is rarest of rare as a devotee can have darshan of the sleeping, standing and sitting form of Vishnu.
- Two saints – Bhrigu Rishi and Sage Markandeya – stands before the murti.
- The main sleeping Padmanabhaswamy Murti is never offered any kind of liquid abhishekam. Special flowers are offered to the murti. The priests are extremely careful that they do not use hands to remove the flowers after abhishekam. A peacock feather is used to remove the flowers.
- The naivedya or food to Padmanabhaswamy is offered in coconut shell. This is based on the belief that the first naivedya was kannimanga (tender mango pickle) and it was offered to Bhagavan in a coconut shell. To avoid deterioration, the coconut shell is now covered with gold.
Enjoy and be proud of the magnificent outer structures of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. But do not forget about the spiritual significance of the murti of Padmanabhaswamy in the sanctum sanctorum.