Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram · Lord Vishnu as Sree Padmanabha, reclining (Anantha Shayanam) on the serpent Anantha
An 18-foot reclining Vishnu seen through three doors, in the temple to which a king gave his kingdom.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy is one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy Vishnu shrines praised by the Tamil Alvar saints) and the tutelary temple of the former Travancore kingdom. Its deity, a giant reclining Vishnu made of 12,008 saligrama stones and covered with a special herbal-resin compound (katusarkara yogam), is so large that it is seen in three parts through three doors. Since 2011 it has also been known worldwide for the treasure found in its underground vaults. Only people of the Hindu faith may enter, and the traditional dress code is strictly enforced.
Timings
- Morning darshan windows (official site, checked Oct 2026): 3:30 – 4:45 AM, 6:30 – 7:00 AM, 9:30 – 11:15 AM, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
- Evening darshan windows (official site, checked Oct 2026): 4:30 – 6:15 PM, 6:45 – 7:20 PM (after Sheeveli)
- Typical non-festival pattern (widely published): approx. 3:30 – 4:45 AM, 6:30 – 7:00 AM, 8:30 – 10:00 AM, 10:30 – 11:10 AM, 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 – 6:15 PM, 6:45 – 7:20 PM
- Note: Windows change for festivals and special rituals. Check the 'Darsan Timings' panel on spst.in before you go.
Darshan types and costs
- General (dharma) darshan – Free
- Darshan through an offering (Nirmalyam to Deeparadhana etc.) – ₹3,000 – ₹25,000 (see sevas)
- Paid 'VIP' darshan – Check official site
Sevas and costs
- Nirmalyam to Deeparadhana – ₹3,000 (Early morning, from Nirmalya Darshanam (approx. 3:30 AM) to the first Deeparadhana)
- Nirmalyam to Usha Pooja – ₹4,000 (Early morning to Usha Pooja (approx. 3:30 – 7:00 AM))
- Nirmalyam to Pantheeradi Pooja – ₹5,000 (Early morning to Pantheeradi Pooja (mid-morning))
- Nirmalyam to Ucha Pooja (half-day pooja) – ₹12,000 (From approx. 3:30 AM to noon)
- Udayasthamana Pooja – ₹25,000 (Full day, sunrise to sunset, on an allotted date)
- Suvarna Darshan – ₹20,000 (Evening: 6:30 PM Deeparadhana darshan, then Suvarna Darshan at 7:20 PM (per official…)
- Menithula Payasam – ₹6,000 (1 unit); ₹3,000 (1/2), ₹1,500 (1/4), ₹1,000 (1/8), ₹500 (1/16) (Prasadam collected 8:30 – 10:30 AM at the Palpayasapura, North Nada)
- Palpayasam (milk payasam) – ₹100 (1/2 litre), ₹200 (1 litre) (Collect 8:30 – 10:30 AM at the Palpayasapura, North Nada)
- Ottathula Payasam / Panthrandu Thula Payasam – ₹500 (Ottathula); ₹4,500 (Panthrandu Thula) (Daily; check collection time)
- Ksheerabhishekam – ₹100 (Morning abhishekam)
- Unniyappam, Ottayada and Aravana – ₹60 (Unniyappam / Ottayada); ₹100 (Aravana) (Unniyappam and Ottayada collected 7:30 – 8:30 PM, Aravana at 7:45 PM, at the Sreekaryam…)
- Archanas (Ashtothara, Sahasranama, Purushasooktha, Swayamvara, Santhanagopala, Dhanwanthari) – ₹20 (Ashtothara); ₹30 (most others) (During darshan hours)
- Neyvilakku (ghee lamp) – ₹50 (Daily)
- Valiya Alankaram / Muzhukkappu – ₹1,000 (each) (Check with temple)
- Choroonu (first rice feeding) – ₹200 (Mornings)
- Annadanam – ₹101 per person; ₹20,000 (larger annadanam, up to 5 devotees attend) (Daily)
- Murajapam and Lakshadeepam – Free to attend (Once every 6 years; last held 20 Nov 2025 – 14 Jan 2026)
How to book darshan
Offerings, annadanam and donations are booked through the official portal linked from spst.in ('Online Pooja Booking', run by the temple on booking.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org). General darshan needs no booking. Carry a photo ID.
Dress code
Official rule: men wear a dhoti (mundu) with an optional angavastram (upper cloth) and nothing on the head; shirts, banians and vests are not allowed. Women wear a saree, a mundu-neriyathu (set-mundu), or a pavada (long skirt) with blouse; girls dress as fits their age. Salwar sets, jeans and other modern dress are not allowed, though women may wrap a dhoti over trousers. Dhotis can be hired near the gates.
Best time to visit
October to March, when it is cooler. Early-morning darshan (3:30 AM) is the most atmospheric. Expect the largest crowds during the Alpashy and Painkuni festivals, Navaratri and Vaikunta Ekadasi.
How to reach
- air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 6 km. Taxis and autos take 15 – 20 minutes.
- rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central station, about 1 km; walkable or a short auto ride.
- road: The temple is at East Fort, next to the main KSRTC city bus hub. Kovalam is about 16 km away.
Festivals
- Alpashy (Aippasi) Utsavam – October – November (Thulam month); 2026 Arattu was on 20 October
- Painkuni (Panguni) Utsavam – March – April (Meenam month)
- Navaratri and Swathi Sangeethotsavam – September – October
- Vaikunta Ekadasi – December – January
- Murajapam and Lakshadeepam – Every 6 years; last 20 Nov 2025 – 14 Jan 2026