About Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, inside the old East Fort. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Padmanabha, reclining on the serpent Anantha in the Anantha Shayana posture. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and gives the city its name, 'the city of Lord Anantha'. It drew world attention in 2011 when vast treasures were documented in its vaults.
The temple is mentioned in Tamil Sangam-era literature and in the hymns of the Alvar saint Nammalvar, showing its antiquity. Its present form owes much to Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore, who rebuilt it in the eighteenth century. In 1750 he dedicated his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha, and the Travancore royal family ruled as the deity's servants, 'Padmanabhadasa'. The royal family continues to play a role in the temple's rituals today.
The temple blends Kerala and Dravidian styles, with a tall seven-tiered gopuram on the east side and a long corridor of carved granite pillars. The giant reclining image of the Lord, made from thousands of saligrama stones, is so large that it is seen through three doors: the face and chest through the first, the navel with Brahma on a lotus through the second, and the feet through the third.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple timings & aarti
Usually open about 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:20 PM, with several short breaks between darshan sessions. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Nirmalya Darshan | About 3:30 AM |
| Usha Pooja | Early morning |
| Ucha Pooja | Late morning, before noon |
| Deeparadhana | Evening, around 6:00–6:30 PM |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Padmanabhaswamy Temple
By air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport – about 6 km.
By train
Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station – about 1 km.
By road
The temple is in the East Fort area, well served by city buses, autos and taxis; the KSRTC central bus station is close by.
Festivals at Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Alpashy UtsavamOct/Nov
- Painkuni UtsavamMar/Apr
- NavaratriSep/Oct
- Lakshadeepam (once every six years)Jan
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- A strict dress code applies: men must wear a mundu or dhoti and remain bare-chested (an upper cloth is allowed), and women must wear a saree, set-mundu, or long skirt with blouse; mundus can be rented near the entrance.
- Entry
- Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple. Mobile phones, cameras and electronic devices are not allowed inside and must be deposited at the counters.
- Follow the dress code carefully; you can rent a mundu near the gates if needed.
- Leave phones, cameras and bags at the deposit counters before entering.
- Visit early in the morning for a quieter darshan of all three doors.
- Check darshan session times in advance, as the temple closes between sessions.
- Allow time to see the long pillared corridor and the Padmatheertham tank.
Places to visit near Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Kuthira Malika PalaceTravancore royal palace museum, next to the temple
- Attukal Bhagavathy TempleFamous goddess temple known for Attukal Pongala, about 3 km
- Napier Museum and ZooArt museum, gardens and zoo, about 4 km
- Kovalam BeachPopular beach destination, about 16 km
Frequently asked questions
What is the dress code at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?
Men must wear a mundu or dhoti without a shirt; women must wear a saree, set-mundu or long skirt with blouse. Mundus are available for rent near the entrance.
Can non-Hindus visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple?
No, entry is restricted to Hindus.
What are the Padmanabhaswamy Temple timings?
The temple usually opens around 3:30 AM until about noon, and again from about 5:00 PM to 7:20 PM, with short breaks between sessions.
Are mobile phones allowed inside?
No. Phones, cameras and electronic devices must be deposited before entering.
Why is the deity seen through three doors?
The reclining image of Lord Padmanabha is very large, so the face, the navel and the feet are viewed through three separate doors.
What is the aarti time at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?
Nirmalya Darshan: About 3:30 AM; Usha Pooja: Early morning; Ucha Pooja: Late morning, before noon; Deeparadhana: Evening, around 6:00–6:30 PM. Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
How to reach Padmanabhaswamy Temple?
By air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport – about 6 km. By train: Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station – about 1 km. By road: The temple is in the East Fort area, well served by city buses, autos and taxis; the KSRTC central bus station is close by.
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