As a history and culture buff, I recently had the opportunity to visit two of Trivandrum’s most famous landmarks: the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Kuthiramalika Palace. The experience left me in awe of the rich heritage of the city and its people. My first stop was Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the most famous temples in India. As I approached the temple, I was overwhelmed by its grandeur and beauty. The temple’s intricate architecture and meticulous carvings are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the artisans who built it.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The golden gopuram of the temple glistened in the sun, making me wonder what was inside. When visiting in the afternoon, there were not many visitors, only a few men and women in traditional costumes. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams or Vishnu Temples in India, revered as very sacred places where Lord Vishnu is believed to reside. These Divya Desams are also recognized in the writings of Tamilian Azhvars who are regarded as saints.
The name “Thiruvananthapuram” is also derived from the deity of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, also known as Anantha, who is the god who reclines on the Anathana snake. Thus, Thiruvananthapuram means the land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. As soon as you enter the gate of the temple, you will be greeted by the aroma of bells and incense. The temple is bustling with worshipers praying and holding ceremonies. I was amazed at the devotion and devotion of the people who came from far and wide to seek the blessings of Lord Padmanabha.
Idol of Lord Padmanabha
The main attraction of the temple is the idol of Lord Padmanabha, made of a rare combination of 12,008 salagramams (sacred stones). The idol is an otherworldly sight, with intricate details and serene expressions. As I stood in front of the deity, I felt peace and tranquility, marveling at its beauty and significance. According to legend, the treasures of the Padmanabaswami Temple contain enough wealth to alleviate various crises in the world, but these treasures are trapped by an ancient curse.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Treasury
The Padmanabha Swamy Hindu temple in Kerala may hold many treasures. At least, there are many rumors about it, including that it is rich in gold. The Supreme Court recently established a five-member panel to oversee the management of the temple and audit its properties and accounts. Additionally, it decided to delay opening Vault B until all other vaults had been cleared. People with knowledge of the temple’s interior said such delays were natural.
It wasn’t until July 2011 that the media got wind of the 10 trillion treasure hidden deep in the vaults of the Padmanabhaswamy temple. Rumors have swirled ever since the vaults of the Padmanabhaswamy temple were opened twice in 1990 and five times in 2002. A particular vault at the Padmanabhaswamy temple was larger than elsewhere and was found 5 feet below ground. In my imagination, when you enter through the main entrance, you approach a closed steel door, you finally slip in, and discover treasures in all directions, and even a secret tunnel.
What’s inside the Padmanabhaswamy Temple Vaults?
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple has six underground vaults, discovered by archaeologists in 2001, and the treasures buried there are incredible. With the help of the temple priests, archaeologists found two things: gold coins and jewelry. The jewels include a 9ft gold necklace weighing 2.5kg, 1 ton of rice gemstones made of gold, diamond bags, gold rope, gold rods, and multiple pieces of antique jewelry set with diamonds and emeralds – no less than a king The ransom. Room A is where archaeologists discovered 40 gold pots, each containing precious stones wrapped in silk, including rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
Other things they found here included a jar containing idols of solid gold lined up as if they were offering sacrifices to a barbaric god, multiple ancient urns as well as old torches made of terracotta and a larger than ever All other idols found so far are big idols. Archaeologists have also found a large number of gold coins from many different eras, including coins dating back thousands of years. Other items found in this room include a gold statue of Mahavishnu studded with diamonds and hundreds of other precious stones.
It must be noted that some of the sovereign states found bear the seal of 1772, indicating their origin during the reign of King Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma. Nevertheless, another hidden chamber was discovered beneath Vault B – a room steeped in antiquity, with walls made entirely of gold. The royal family of Travancore forbade officials from entering this vault for fear of provoking divine wrath and bringing catastrophic misfortune to our nation, thus deepening the mystery. However, we must consider whether such superstition should be allowed to hinder progress in discovering the priceless treasures hidden in these ancient chambers for generations.
How many vaults are there and what’s in them?
It’s worth noting that there are six vaults in total, each marked A through F. As of 2011, five of the six vaults have been opened and their contents made public. Vaults A and B hold large gold treasures, while C and D contain gold and silver jewellery. The remaining two vaults E and F house utensils and other temple ritual objects are of great cultural value.
The Curse Behind the Vault

Vault B is like a fortress within a fortress, with only two vestibules guarding the way to its precious contents. The door itself has carvings of a snake and Yakshi, which make a “do not enter” louder than any alarm system. Legend has it that during the reign of King Marthanda Varma, the supreme religious leader chanted the powerful Naga Paasam mantra and Chamber B was sealed shut. Even more interesting (and a little ominous), only one of the High Priests can lift this curse. Rumor has it that some nefarious character trying to open the infamous B’s Vault accidentally encountered a swarm of slippery snakes.
Tragically, the vault’s owner and petitioner, Sundarajan, died just a month after it was opened – further fueling the royal family’s belief in an ancient curse. Another fascinating story tells how during a devastating famine more than 100 years ago, the temple priests tried to gain access to the vault; but as they got closer to unlocking its secrets, all they could hear were voices from behind the door the sound of huge waves. Could this mysterious chamber lead directly to the Arabian Sea?
The temple showcases a fusion of Kerala and Dravidian architectural designs, while surrounding shops offer a wide range of goods such as masks, wooden souvenirs, off-white sarees and dresses embellished with gold zari patterns.
Entrance Fees: Rs 150 per person for Special Darshan, Rs 180 per person for Prashad Special Darshan | Times: 3:15 am – 12:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 7:20 pm
Kuti Ramalika Palace
Next to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, there is a tranquil pond on one side and the Kuthiramalika Palace on the other – also known as the “Mansion of Horses” because of its collection of 122 wooden horses carved into wooden wall brackets The upper supports the southern roof. After spending some time at the temple, I headed to the nearby Kuthiramalika Palace. Built in the 19th century by the Maharajas of Travancore, this palace is a fine example of traditional Kerala architecture.
Kerala Institute of Architecture
The two-story palace, also known as Puthen Malika (New Mansion), was built in the 1840s by Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma, Maharaja of the Travancore Kingdom of British India. Part of the sprawling royal complex near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the palace is the leading representative of the Kerala school of architecture, with typical sloping roofs, overhanging eaves, balconies with columns and a construction of teak, mahogany, marble Enclosed courtyard, and granite. A well-preserved example of 1840s grandeur, it transports visitors back in time.
Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma
I learned that the famous music composer Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma used to live in this building and would often gaze at the Sree Padmanaswamy temple in the morning for inspiration for his compositions. Sadly, the building was unoccupied for over a century after Thirunal’s death in 1846. Part of Kuthiramalika has now been converted into a Palace Museum, which houses items from the Travancore royal family. However, of the palace’s 80 rooms, only 20 are available to tourists.
After visiting the museum, you’ll discover a fascinating collection of white marble icons and sculptures, Kathakali figures, Belgian mirrors and paintings. It also showcases two royal thrones, one made of 24 tusks (Dantasimhasana) and the other made of Bohemian crystal, with Travancore’s emblem “Conch” adorning the top of the backrest. A barefoot stroll through the museum will take you through time in the heart of the state capital.
As I walked through the palace, I was struck by its elegance and simplicity. The palace’s wooden architecture, sloping roofs, and intricate carvings are a testament to the skill of the artisans who built it. The palace also houses a collection of artefacts and antiques, offering a glimpse into the life and times of Travancore royalty. One of the highlights of my visit to the palace was the chance to see the famous horse sculpture after which the palace is named. It is a beautiful handicraft and a symbol of Trivandrum’s rich heritage.
All in all, my visit to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Kuthiramalika Palace was an unforgettable experience and gave me a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Trivandrum. I visited the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as part of the Hyatt Regency Trivandrum experience package and I highly recommend these landmarks to anyone interested in exploring the rich heritage of Kerala.
Time: 09:00 – 17:00 | Closed on Mondays | Entry fee: Rs. Indians 50 rupees. Rs 15 for children. Foreigner 150
