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Time of India
3 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
After 270 years, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple hosts Maha Kumbhabhishekam
T'puram: Hundreds of devotees gathered at the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the state capital on Sunday to witness Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a rare and sacred consecration ceremony held after nearly 270 years. The event marked the culmination of extensive restoration works at one of India's most revered and architecturally rich temples. Temple authorities undertook elaborate arrangements to ensure that devotees could witness the ritual without disruption. Large LED screens were installed at all four temple entrances, broadcasting the rituals live to the waiting crowds. By early morning, long queues formed, with devotees eager to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event steeped in history and devotion. The rituals commenced with Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the titular head of the Travancore royal family, offering prayers. The tanthri (chief priest) of the temple performed the traditional ashtabandha kalasam, a vital part of the reconsecration, at Thiruvambady Temple located within the main complex. At 8am, a 300-year-old idol of Vishwaksena, the commander-in-chief of Lord Vishnu's celestial army, was ceremoniously reinstalled. The idol, crafted from katu sarkara yogam, a sacred mixture made from medicinal herbs, lime, and jaggery, was treated with high ritual significance. Following the reinstallation, members of the Travancore royal family and temple priests led a ceremonial procession for the dedication of three domes (koodaram) above the sanctum sanctorum.


The Print
8 hours ago
- General
- The Print
Padmanabhaswamy Temple performs rare ‘Maha Kumbhabhishekam' after 270 years
Dedication of 'thazhikakudams', (the three domes above the sanctum sanctorum), the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol, and the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Sree Krishna Temple (located within the main shrine complex) were held in the morning, temple sources said. This grand consecration took place following the recent completion of long-overdue renovation work at this ancient temple. Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 1 (PTI) Hundreds of devotees on Sunday thronged the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala to witness Maha Kumbhabhishekam held at the shrine after 270 years. 'The rituals were performed by priests during the auspicious time between 7.40 am to 8.40 am on Sunday,' they said. The rituals began after Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the present head of the Travancore royal family, offered prayers at the shrine. In the presence of Varma and other royal family members, the tantri (head priest) first carried out the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Temple. Later, the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol was held by 8.00 am, temple sources said. The Vishwaksena idol, renovated and reinstalled now, is about 300 years old and was built in 'katu sarkara yogam', a traditional method involving a unique combination of materials to create idols. After that reinstallation, the tantries and priests, accompanied by the royal family head, moved as a procession for the dedication of the domes as devotees chanted 'narayana' mantras. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements including the setting up of video walls on all the four entrances of the shrine for devotees to catch a glimpse of the rare ritual. Long queues of devotees could be seen since early morning at the temple entrances. Kerala Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar was present at the shrine to witness the rare ritual throughout, they added. Various rituals, including Acharya Varanam, Prasada Shuddhi, Dhara, Kalasam, and others, were held at the shrine in various days in the last week ahead of the 'Maha Kumbhabhishekam'. Temple authorities said that the objective of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam is to reinforce spiritual energy and reawaken the sanctity of the shrine. Such a comprehensive renovation and the accompanying rituals were held at the centuries-old shrine after a gap of over 270 years, and it is unlikely to occur again in the next several decades, they said. The renovation had been carried out as per the directive of the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel in 2017. Though the work began soon after, it could not progress much further due to the COVID situation, they said. Later, various renovation works were completed in a phased manner from 2021 onwards, they added. The name of Kerala capital is closely tied to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where Lord Vishnu is enshrined in a reclining posture on serpent God 'Anantha'. The city grew around this temple and took its name from the deity worshipped there. PTI LGK ADB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


NDTV
8 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Performs Rare Grand Consecration After 270 years
Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of devotees on Sunday thronged the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala to witness Maha Kumbhabhishekam held at the shrine after 270 years. This grand consecration took place following the recent completion of long-overdue renovation work at this ancient temple. Dedication of "thazhikakudams", (the three domes above the sanctum sanctorum), the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol, and the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Sree Krishna Temple (located within the main shrine complex) were held in the morning, temple sources said. "The rituals were performed by priests during the auspicious time between 7.40 am to 8.40 am on Sunday," they said. The rituals began after Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the present head of the Travancore royal family, offered prayers at the shrine. In the presence of Varma and other royal family members, the tantri (head priest) first carried out the "Ashtabandha Kalasam" at the Thiruvambady Temple. Later, the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol was held by 8.00 am, temple sources said. The Vishwaksena idol, renovated and reinstalled now, is about 300 years old and was built in "katu sarkara yogam", a traditional method involving a unique combination of materials to create idols. After that reinstallation, the tantries and priests, accompanied by the royal family head, moved as a procession for the dedication of the domes as devotees chanted "narayana" mantras. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements including the setting up of video walls on all the four entrances of the shrine for devotees to catch a glimpse of the rare ritual. Long queues of devotees could be seen since early morning at the temple entrances. Kerala Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar was present at the shrine to witness the rare ritual throughout, they added. Various rituals, including Acharya Varanam, Prasada Shuddhi, Dhara, Kalasam, and others, were held at the shrine in various days in the last week ahead of the "Maha Kumbhabhishekam". Temple authorities said that the objective of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam is to reinforce spiritual energy and reawaken the sanctity of the shrine. Such a comprehensive renovation and the accompanying rituals were held at the centuries-old shrine after a gap of over 270 years, and it is unlikely to occur again in the next several decades, they said. The renovation had been carried out as per the directive of the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel in 2017. Though the work began soon after, it could not progress much further due to the COVID situation, they said. Later, various renovation works were completed in a phased manner from 2021 onwards, they added. The name of Kerala capital is closely tied to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where Lord Vishnu is enshrined in a reclining posture on serpent God 'Anantha'. The city grew around this temple and took its name from the deity worshipped there.


Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Padmanabhaswamy Temple performs rare 'Maha Kumbhabhishekam' after 270 years
Thiruvananthapuram, Hundreds of devotees on Sunday thronged the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala to witness Maha Kumbhabhishekam held at the shrine after 270 years. This grand consecration took place following the recent completion of long-overdue renovation work at this ancient temple. Dedication of "thazhikakudams", , the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol, and the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' at the Thiruvambady Sree Krishna Temple were held in the morning, temple sources said. "The rituals were performed by priests during the auspicious time between 7.40 am to 8.40 am on Sunday," they said. The rituals began after Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, the present head of the Travancore royal family, offered prayers at the shrine. In the presence of Varma and other royal family members, the tantri first carried out the "Ashtabandha Kalasam" at the Thiruvambady Temple. Later, the reinstallation of the Vishwaksena idol was held by 8.00 am, temple sources said. The Vishwaksena idol, renovated and reinstalled now, is about 300 years old and was built in "katu sarkara yogam", a traditional method involving a unique combination of materials to create idols. After that reinstallation, the tantries and priests, accompanied by the royal family head, moved as a procession for the dedication of the domes as devotees chanted "narayana" mantras. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements including the setting up of video walls on all the four entrances of the shrine for devotees to catch a glimpse of the rare ritual. Long queues of devotees could be seen since early morning at the temple entrances. Kerala Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar was present at the shrine to witness the rare ritual throughout, they added. Various rituals, including Acharya Varanam, Prasada Shuddhi, Dhara, Kalasam, and others, were held at the shrine in various days in the last week ahead of the "Maha Kumbhabhishekam". Temple authorities said that the objective of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam is to reinforce spiritual energy and reawaken the sanctity of the shrine. Such a comprehensive renovation and the accompanying rituals were held at the centuries-old shrine after a gap of over 270 years, and it is unlikely to occur again in the next several decades, they said. The renovation had been carried out as per the directive of the Supreme Court-appointed expert panel in 2017. Though the work began soon after, it could not progress much further due to the COVID situation, they said. Later, various renovation works were completed in a phased manner from 2021 onwards, they added. The name of Kerala capital is closely tied to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where Lord Vishnu is enshrined in a reclining posture on serpent God 'Anantha'. The city grew around this temple and took its name from the deity worshipped there.