Housed within Thiruvananthapuram’s East Fort is the iconic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which stands as one of the oldest and most famous Hindu temples dating back to the eighth century. Kerala’s history boasts a multitude of such intriguing cultural chapters, which are best absorbed from a quality Kerala resort that forms part of the local landscape, such as the Poovar Island Resort which affords a charming option for a 3 star hotel in Kerala. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is home to stunning effigies depicting divinities of the Hindu faith, such as its eponymous figure, Sree Padmanabhaswamy, who is a revered manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The temple also features an impressive Gopuram (an ornamental tower), measuring a hundred feet across and extends seven stories high. It sits beside the Padma Theertham tank, which translates as “lotus spring”, a fitting accompaniment to the “Lotus Lord” who presides over the temple. Over the last couple of years, the temple has garnered significant media attention owing to the discovery of a treasure trove of precious jewels and other artefacts discovered within its underground storage rooms. Although the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is not opened to non-Hindu visitors, it presents a majestic sight that is sure to provide many photo opportunities to commemorate your cultural itinerary.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.