The foundation of the present gopuram was laid in 1566.The temple has a 100-foot.The ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) is known as the 'Nataka Sala', where the famous temple art Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam (festival) conducted twice a year, during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands by the side of a tank, named Padma Theertham(meaning the lotus spring).The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings. This ancient temple is the most dominating feature of thiruvananthapuram, Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank. Padma Theertham, the temple pond outside the east gate of the temple. If you are a birdie go inside sit for a 20mts if you are lucky you might see cormorants hunting fishes.

The history of the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to the 8th Century CE, when Thiruvananthapuram was ruled by the Chera Dynasty. This main deity is 18 foot long and one has to take darshan through 3 doors, through the first door you can see Lord’s face, and his hands. Below his right hand you can see a Shiva Lingam. Perhaps this is the only Vishnava temple where you can see Lord Vishnu and Shiva together. Also you can see the five hoods of the snake through the first door.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings. This corridor extends from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum. Long corridor paths with exquisite carvings on the pillars. 100ft Gopuram or Vimana comprising of 6 floors. From the top floor through the west side you can see the Arabian Sea and from east side you can get a bird’s eye view of the city.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple and its assets belong to Lord Padmanabhaswamy, and are controlled by a trust run by the Royal family.The royals consider themselves Padmanabhadasas i.e. servants of Padmanabhaswamy. There a total of 365 pillars in the temple and there is also an 1/4th of a pillar near the Hanuman shrine, which makes 365 & ¼ pillars which is equivalent to number of days in an year. Agrasala Ganapathi – this is the Kitchen of the temple, falls in North East corner, this small temple of Ganesha is right in the middle of the kitchen.

The temple has very special rituals.Two festivals are celebrated every year,one in March-April and the second one in September-October.56 day long Murajapam or uninterrupted recitation of prayers is conducted once in six years and once in twelve years. Kuthiramalika Palace opposite to Padma Theertham, has a very rare and exquisite collection of artifacts from Travancore Kingdom like Travancore army’s artillery, art collections of the palace, furniture of the palace etc. worth a visit. The main sanctum is fully lighted with oil lamps, there is no electricity connections inside the main temple. Its really mesmerizing to have darshan in that ambience.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras,texts including the Puranas,particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. Mural paintings inside the main Sanctum and also inside Shri Krishna temple. These paintings are made from natural paints produced from leaves and plants. Ashvathama & Veda Vyasa – Again inside the main sanctum, is this rare combination of Vyasa Rishi and Ashvathama (Dronacharya’s son) together. Kshethra Palaka – Near the north gate of the temple, Kshethra Palaka is believed to be the Saviour of the temple.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located inside the East Fort,Thiruvananthapuram.It is the state temple of erstwhile Travancore.The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu,who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,the hooded snake from which the city derives its name,“Thiruvananthapuram“. One curious feature of this idol is that its right hand fingers are chopped off. Local Folklore says that this Narasimha (also called Ugra Narasimha) so powerful that the priests where afraid to do pooja seeing the ferocious face of the Lord so they have cut the fingers to reduce its power.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple has an imposing seven tier gopuram covered with beautiful stone carvings.The temple has a broad corridor with 324 sculptured pillars and a 80 feet high golden flag staff.The walls of the temple are covered with interesting mural paintings depicting mythical stories. 100ft Gopuram or Vimana comprising of 6 floors. From the top floor through the west side you can see the Arabian Sea and from east side you can get a bird’s eye view of the city.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located inside the East Fort,Thiruvananthapuram.It is the state temple of erstwhile Travancore.The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu,who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,the hooded snake from which the city derives its name,“Thiruvananthapuram“.