Padamnabha swamy temple Kerala

Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala . The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture featuring high walls and a 16th-century Gopuram.  It is the richest Hindu temple in the world. In fact, in terms of gold and precious stones, it is by far the wealthiest institution and place of worship of any kind in the recorded history of the world.

The principal deity Vishnu is enshrined in the "Anantha Sayanam" posture on the serpent Adisheshan. Sree Padmanabhaswamy is the deity of the royal family of Travancore. In line with the Temple Entry Proclamation, only those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple and devotees have to strictly follow the dress code.

In the sanctum sanctorum, Padmanabha reclines on the serpent Adi Sesha. The serpent has five hoods facing inwards, signifying contemplation. The Lord's right hand is placed over a Shiva lingam. Sridevi-Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Bhudevi the Goddess of Earth, two consorts of Vishnu are by his side.Brahma emerges on a lotus, which emanates from the navel of the Lord. The deity is made from 12,000saligramams. These saligrams are from the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal, and to commemorate this certain rituals used to be performed at the Pashupatinath Temple. The deity of Padmanabha is covered with, "Katusarkara yogam", a special ayurvedic mix, which forms a plaster that keeps the deity clean. The daily worship is with flowers and for the abhishekam, special deities are used.In order to perform darshan and puja, one has to ascend to the mandapam. The Deity is visible through three doors – the visage of the reclining Lord and Siva Linga underneath the hand is seen through the first door; Sridevi and Divakara Muni in Katusarkara, Brahma seated on a lotus emanating from the Lord's navel, hence the name, "Padmanabha", gold abhisheka moorthies of Lord Padmanabha, Sridevi and Bhudevi, and silver utsava moorthi of Padmanabha through the second door; the Lord's feet, and Bhudevi and Kaundinya Muni in Katusarkara through the third door

Among the six vaults in the temple, Kallara B is very closely associated with Lord Sree Padmanabha and is not part of the Temple Treasury. On the orders of Maharaja Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the outer chamber of Kallara B was opened in 1931. In 2011, it was opened by the Observers appointed by the Supreme Court of India. But the Observers did not open the inner chamber which possibly houses a Srichakram, an idol of Padmanabha and many valuables meant to enhance the potency of the Presiding Deity. Moreover Devas, Rishis and Kanjirottu Yakshi reside in the inner chamber worshipping the Supreme Lord.The enchanting and ferocious forms of Kanjirottu Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of the main Sanctum. Lord Ugra Narasimha of Thekkedom is believed to be the Protector of Vault B

There is a serpent's image on Vault B indicating danger to anyone who opens it. A four-day Ashtamangala Devaprasnam conducted in August 2011 declared the inner chamber of Kallara B as forbidden territory. Emily Gilchrist Hatch, who was in Trivandrum in 1933, recalls in her book a similar but unsuccessful attempt that was made in 1908.However, Gopal Subramanium in his report submitted to the Supreme Court in April 2014 recommended opening of this Kallara after conducting another Devaprasnam.