Pasan Tharinda, Jadetimes Staff
P. Tharinda is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Historical and Cultural News
Located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is among the most respected and mysterious temples in the world. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple has been a source of interest for both the common public and scholars due to its richness, architectural brilliance, and many unsolved mysteries, some of which are mentioned in ancient texts such as the Garuda Purana.
The Historical Background of the Temple
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is believed to date back to the 8th century, but its name and mentions have been mentioned in literature since the Sangam age (2nd century BCE–2nd century CE). The temple shares a very close bond with the Travancore royal family, who deem themselves disciples of Lord Padmanabha, the temple's presiding deity. Over time, the temple amassed enormous wealth, which was stored in six secret vaults.
The Architectural Wonder
The temple is an important representative of both the Dravidian and the Kerala styles of architecture. Intricate carvings, murals depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, and a massive reclining statue of Lord Vishnu resting on the divine serpent Anantha adorn this temple. This 18-foot-long statue is chiseled out of 12,000 salagrama stones brought from the Gandaki River in Nepal-a holy place mentioned in the Garuda Purana.
Mystical Vaults
The temple vaults, named Vaults A to F, have attracted global attention due to the immense wealth contained in their enclosure. In 2011, an inventory conducted by the Supreme Court revealed treasuries worth billions of dollars, gold coins, gemstones, and artefacts.
Interestingly, Vault B, which is also known as Naga Bandham or Kalara Bhandaram, has been kept sealed due to its purported divine protection. Ancient texts and the Garuda Purana warn against disturbing such sacred objects, believed to be guarded by serpentine beings and extra-terrestrial forces. It is believed that if this vault is opened without following the proper rituals, disastrous consequences would ensue.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the Garuda Purana
The Garuda Purana, an ancient text from within the Vedic tradition, upholds the sanctity of shrines dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. It speaks to the fact that such shrines, housing his reclining form, embodied by Padmanabhaswamy, are gateways for Vaikuntha itself, the divine home of Vishnu. Then the scripture articulates more upon the treasures presented in offerings to the deity, representing much more than material riches but embodiments of devotion, meant to stay untouched to maintain spiritual equipoise.
The Legend of the Celestial Guardians
According to local legends and references in the Garuda Purana, the temple is guarded by heavenly guardians: Garuda, snakes, and even the god himself. According to popular belief, these guardians are kept at bay by esoteric mantras, which serve to ensure that only the purest of intentions shall unlock the secrets of the temple.
Modern Mysteries and Beliefs
Despite the advanced level of modern technology, it is still not possible to determine the exact extent of the treasures or the detailed structural components of the temple. Some believe that the sealed vaults provide access to underground tunnels that connect to other holy sites. According to the believers, the wealth belongs to Lord Padmanabha and should not be used for worldly purposes.
A Divine Mystery
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an iconic spirituality dedicated to commitment and mysterious marvels. It finds its anchorage in historical texts such as the Garuda Purana, and it is shrouded by a lot of folklore. A specimen of cultural and spiritual wealth, it always provokes wonder and respect in the minds of people and keeps reminding humankind of how intrinsic the relationship is between the divine and human experience.
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