Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Mystery of Vault B

By Neha Choubey

| Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 18:22 [IST]

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which makes the stories of hidden treasures come true, is recognized in India and the world. Grabbing the top place in the list of India's most prosperous temples, Padmanabhaswamy Temple is also most talked about for the possibility of having hidden treasures and India's glorious past. Located in the East Fort of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India, the temple is famous among Vishnu devotees from across the world.

Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Mystery of Vault B

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Padmanabhaswamy Temple temple, one of the 108 holy temples of Vishnu (also known as Divya Desam of India), is an exemplary fusion of Kerala and Dravidian architectural styles.

The history of this temple dates back to the 8th century with several Hindu texts mentioning the shrine, such as the Brahma Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Bhagavatha Purana, and Mahabharatha. Besides, the temple finds its mention in the Sangam Period of literature dating back between 500 BC and 300 AD.

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The present-day Padmanabhaswamy Temple, rebuilt by King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, celebrates the Murajapam and Bhadra Deepam festivals every 6th years, initiated by the king himself with great devotion. It is said that The temple at Thiruvananthapuram is a replica of the Adikesava Perumal temple at Kanyakumari.

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The presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu lying in yoga nidra atop his serpent Adisesha( Ananta), which is called the Ananta Shayanam posture. The statue of Lord Vishnu here is known for its structure that consists of 12008 Shaligrams brought from the banks of river Gandaki in Nepal. The sanctum sanctorum of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is situated on a rock making the main idol visible from three different doors. The head and chest can be seen from the first door, the hands from the second door, and the feet from the third door.

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This temple is known in the world for its wealth, its excellent structure, and the secrets contained inside it. According to the information, six vaults are located in the temple addressed by the names A, B, S, D, E, F. Vaults E and F are opened daily for worship while Vaults C and D are opened only on special occasions. But Vault B is still a mystery. According to myths, the treasure of this vault belongs to God and is guarded by two snakes. Something terrible happens to the one who tries to open it, so it should remain closed.

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Legend has it that the doors are protected by a Yakshi who indicates danger to whoever tries to open it and the sages of high prestige had locked the doorways with Naga Paasam mantras. According to an old narrative, once the village was suffering with famine, the temple administration tried to open the chamber. But they heard the sound of ocean waves from behind the door and left the door closed. Since then, it is believed that the chamber is connected to the Arabian Sea, and any effort to open the door will release tragedies across the state and in Kerala.

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Though The temple attracts many tourists from all over the world throughout the year, the festive seasons hold special charm for devotees seeking the blessings of their Lord.

The Padmanabhaswamy temple follows its rules in a very disciplined manner. Only followers of the Hindu religion get entry into the temple. The dress rules include mundu or dhoti for men and saree for women. Men are prohibited from wearing any shirt or top wear.