Prisoners make rope for Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple Flag

During the annual Panguni festival at the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, fresh cords (rope) for the temple flags are ordered from the Central Prison. It might sound strange, but this is a tradition that has been followed without a break for 120 years.

The two set of cords needed for the festival is ordered in three months advance. And the cord will be ready two weeks before the commencement of the festival. The entire process of making the cord is done by the Prisoners at the Central Prison in Trivandrum.

Earlier, the prisoners used to make several other items needed for the temple. But now they only provide cords for temple flags and tassels for ‘onnavillu.’