P
ASI Protected
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
16th Century CE (current structure)
One of the 108 Divya Desams (holy Vaishnava shrines), famous for its main deity showing Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta. In 2011, vaults beneath the temple were found to contain treasures worth over $20 billion, making it the richest temple -- and possibly the richest institution -- in the world.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Misc Historic
- Style
- Dravidian / Kerala
- Primary Deity
- Vishnu (Padmanabha - reclining on Ananta Shesha)
- Languages
- Malayalam, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Malayalam, Grantha
Historical Significance
Richest temple in the world (treasure worth over $20 billion). One of the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavism. Royal temple of the Travancore dynasty. Features Vishnu reclining on Ananta Shesha seen through three doors
Architectural Features
Kerala-Dravidian mixed style gopuramMain deity visible through three doors simultaneouslyMassive reclining Vishnu (18 feet)Ottakkal Mandapam (single stone mandapa)Gopuram with copper cladding