The history of the Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple is deeply intertwined with both legend and historical accounts, making it a significant religious and cultural landmark in Kerala, India.
The temple's exact date of construction remains uncertain,
but it holds a revered status in ancient Tamil literature, referred to as the
Golden Temple in Sangam literature dating back to 500 BC to 300 AD. The Sangam
texts mention the temple and the city as a place of opulence, with the entire
city believed to have been adorned in gold, signifying its immense wealth and
importance.
Scholars speculate that the site has been a place of worship
since the beginning of the Kali Yuga, the last of the four stages that the
world goes through as part of the cycle of Yugas in Hindu cosmology.
Legend has it that Sage Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar, through
his intense penance, attracted the attention of Bhagavan Vishnu, who appeared
before him in the form of a mischievous orphan boy. Despite the sage's initial
annoyance at the boy's disruptions during his prayers, he later realized the
boy's divine nature and sought to find him when he disappeared, leaving a clue
to visit Ananthankadu.
Upon reaching Ananthankadu, the sage discovered the boy
merging into an Illuppa tree, which then transformed into a colossal figure of Bhagavan
Vishnu in the Anantha Shayanam (reclining on the serpent Ananta) form. This
divine manifestation was so vast that its head extended to Thiruvallam, while
its feet reached Trippapur.
Moved by this miraculous sight, the sage requested the Bhagavan
to condense his form, allowing him to witness it entirely. Granting his wish, Bhagavan Vishnu shrank his form, and the sage offered a dry mango in a coconut shell, a
tradition that continues to this day. A shrine was erected at the site, marking
the spot where the sage received the divine vision, with the assistance of
local Brahmins in the Koopakkara and Karuva Potti areas.
This legend, along with historical accounts, contributes to
the rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions surrounding the Thiruvananthapuram
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, making it a cherished pilgrimage site and a symbol of
cultural heritage in Kerala.