Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
One of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu — where the 18-ft deity reclines on the serpent Anantha, seen through three doors, inside a temple famed for its seven-tier gopuram and legendary treasure vaults.
5 PM–7:20 PM
Last checked: November 2026 · Darshan times change on festival days — check the official temple notice before you go.
About the temple
Padmanabhaswamy Temple: overview & what to see
The temple stands beside the sacred Padma Theertham tank, its 100-ft, seven-tier gopuram visible across the old Fort area. Inside, the 18-ft main idol is so large it is viewed through three doors: the face and head, the navel with Brahma seated on a lotus, and the feet.
For centuries it was the royal temple of Travancore. The Travancore kings ruled as ‘Padmanabha Dasa’ — servants of the deity — and the royal family continues to play a role in the temple’s administration today.
What to see inside
Anantha Shayanam
The 18-ft reclining Vishnu, viewed through three doors — face, navel and feet.
Seven-tier gopuram
The 100-ft eastern tower, reflected in Padma Theertham at dusk.
Sheeveli corridor
A grand granite corridor lined with hundreds of carved pillars.
Ottakkal Mandapam
A platform carved from a single block of stone in front of the sanctum.
Kulasekhara Mandapam
Stone hall with intricately carved pillars, some said to produce musical notes.
Padma Theertham
The sacred temple tank beside the east entrance.
Murals & carvings
Kerala-style murals and stone carvings across the shrines.
The treasure vaults
Not open to visitors, but part of the temple’s legend.
Experiences
Things to do at Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Have darshan of the deity
Walk past all three doors to see the full Anantha Shayanam form.
Attend early-morning darshan
The 3:30 AM opening is the most atmospheric and often less crowded.
Walk the pillared corridor
Take in the scale of the Sheeveli Pura and its carved granite pillars.
See the gopuram at dusk
Watch the tower light up from the banks of Padma Theertham.
Visit Kuthiramalika Palace
The Travancore palace with 122 carved horses stands right next to the temple.
Shop at Chalai Bazaar
The old market nearby sells brass lamps, puja items and spices.
HistoryA short history
- Ancient
The temple is praised in the Tamil hymns of the Alvar saints and is counted among the 108 Divya Desams, the holiest Vishnu shrines.
- 1566
The foundation of the seven-tier gopuram is laid.
- 1686
A fire damages much of the temple.
- 1730s
Maharaja Marthanda Varma rebuilds the temple. The main idol is remade from 12,008 saligram stones from the Gandaki river in Nepal.
- 1750
In the ‘Thrippadidanam’, Marthanda Varma dedicates his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha and rules as his servant.
- 2011
A Supreme Court-ordered inventory of the underground vaults reveals treasures estimated at over ?1 lakh crore, making headlines worldwide. Vault B remains unopened.
- 2020
The Supreme Court upholds the Travancore royal family’s rights in the temple’s administration.
Plan your visit
Padmanabhaswamy Temple darshan timings & tickets
| Session | Darshan time |
|---|---|
| Early morning | 3:30 AM – 4:45 AM |
| Morning | 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Morning | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Late morning | 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Noon | 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM |
| Evening | 6:45 PM – 7:20 PM |
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| General darshan | Free |
| Special darshan (without prasadam) | ?150 |
| Special darshan (with prasadam) | ?180 |
| Mobile phone / camera | Not allowed inside |
Special darshan tickets can be bought at the temple or booked through the official temple website. Iris Holidays can arrange the booking for you as part of a darshan package.
Before you go
Padmanabhaswamy Temple dress code
Men
Allowed
- Mundu or dhoti (white or cream preferred)
- Bare chest, or a shawl/angavastram over the shoulders
Not allowed
- Shirts, T-shirts or vests inside the temple
- Trousers, jeans or shorts
- Bermudas or track pants
Women
Allowed
- Saree
- Set mundu (mundum neriyathum)
- Long, ankle-length skirt with a blouse
Not allowed
- Churidar or salwar (unless covered with a mundu)
- Jeans, trousers or leggings
- Short or knee-length skirts and dresses
Men can rent a mundu at stalls near the gates to wear over trousers. Sarees are not available to borrow, so women should bring their own traditional wear.
Book with Iris
Darshan made easy with Iris Holidays
Flying in for darshan, or visiting with elderly parents? Our Trivandrum team takes care of the details so you can focus on the darshan.
- Special darshan booking at the time you choose
- Pickup and drop at Trivandrum Airport or railway station
- Private A/C car with a local chauffeur who knows the temple gates
- Hotel near East Fort, with breakfast (3-star or upgrade)
- Dress-code guidance, plus help with mundu and cloakroom
- Add Kovalam, Kanyakumari or a full Kerala tour
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Darshan
Thiruvananthapuram · East Fort
Includes darshan booking, airport pickup & private A/C car
When to go
Best time to visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Pleasant weather
About 23–31 °C — comfortable for early-morning queues and walks around East Fort.
Hot & humid
Choose the early-morning or evening darshan.
Rainy, fewer tourists
The temple stays open; carry an umbrella for the walk to the gates.
Gallery
Padmanabhaswamy Temple photos
Photography is not allowed inside the temple, so there are no authentic photos of the deity — all images here are of the exterior.
Getting there
How to reach Padmanabhaswamy Temple
By train
Thiruvananthapuram Central (Thampanoor) is about 1 km away — a 5-minute auto ride or a 15-minute walk.
By air
Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) is about 6 km away, roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi.
By bus
The East Fort city bus terminal is right outside the temple, and the Thampanoor KSRTC central bus stand is about 1 km away.
By road
Cars can’t drive up to the gates during busy hours. Your driver will drop you at the nearest point to the East Nada entrance.
Distance to Padmanabhaswamy Temple
| From | Distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Trivandrum Central railway station | ~1 km | 5 min |
| Trivandrum Airport (TRV) | ~6 km | 15–20 min |
| Kovalam | ~14 km | 30–35 min |
| Varkala | ~45 km | 1 hr 15 min |
| Kanyakumari | ~90 km | 2 hrs 30 min |
| Kochi | ~210 km | 5 hrs |
| Rameswaram | ~390 km | 8 hrs |
Distances and drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Good to know
Temple rules & visitor tips
- Only Hindus are allowed inside. Visitors may be asked to sign a declaration of faith.
- Mobile phones, cameras and electronics are not allowed inside — deposit them at the cloakroom.
- The dress code is strictly enforced for men, women and children.
- Leave footwear at the counters near the entrances.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before a session; queues build up quickly.
- Carry some cash for offerings and the cloakroom.
- Expect to stand in line for a while — plan breaks for elderly visitors.
- Check temple notices for changed timings on festival days.
Good to know
Facilities
Culture
Festivals at Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Painkuni Festival
A 10-day festival ending with the royal Aarattu procession to Shangumugham Beach.
Alpashi Festival
The second annual 10-day festival, also ending with the Aarattu procession to the sea.
Navaratri
Idols are brought in procession from Padmanabhapuram Palace for nine nights of music and worship.
Lakshadeepam
After 56 days of Vedic chanting (Murajapam), the temple is lit with one lakh (100,000) oil lamps.
Suggested plan
A 1-night Padmanabhaswamy darshan trip
Based on our Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Darshan package — easy to extend to Kovalam or Kanyakumari.
Explore more
Places to visit near Padmanabhaswamy Temple
FAQs