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RR
28th December 2007, 08:11 AM
Lakshadeepam

- Padmanabha


The lighting of one hundred thousand lamps call Lakshadeepam at the Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram falls on 14 January 2008. It is celebrated once in six years.

The Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple is the main architectural landmark of Thiruvananthapuram. The city is named after the presiding deity, Lord Padmanabha who reclines on the Anantha (the Endless/the Eternal) in a conscious slumber.

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The name of this temple is mentioned in four Puranas, namely -Padma, Vayu, Brahmanda, and Varaha. The Brahmanda Purana devotes a whole chapter to Ananthapura Mahathmyam. The Holy Bhagavatham says that Balarama has visited this temple, bathed in the holy pond Padmatheertham and donated 10000 cows to the Brahmins. According to the Kanyakumari Edict, Paranthaka Pandyan a contemporary of Kulothunga Chola had gifted 10 golden lamps to this temple.

The Legend

This temple is of hoary antiquity and has many legends attached to it. Anantha sayana Mahathmya, says that a Tulu Brahmin Sage- Diwakara Muni set up the temple. One day Lord Vishnu appeared before him in the form of a loving child. The sage requested the child to stay with him. The sage gave him all love and cares and tolerated his pranks. One day the child made such nuisance of himself that the sage was greatly annoyed and chastised him. The child vanished at once saying that if the sage wanted to see him, he would have to come to Ananthankad. After a futile search, he reached a forest area near the seacoast and caught the glimpse of the child disappearing into a huge Illuppa tree. The tree fell on the ground and assumed the shape of Mahavishnu, with the head at Thiruvallam and feet at Thrippappur. Over awed the sage pleaded the Lord to condense, in size. The image shrunk to a size three times the length of the sage’s yoga dand. Another Legend is that Lord Vishnu appeared before the saint Vilwamangalam, as a small child. While performing pooja the child put the Saligrama in its mouth. The saint out of rage pushed the child which at once vanished. A divine voice said: “Search, I will be in the Anathankadu.”

The Saint tired after a futile search of this unknown place heard a pulaya woman(untouchable) threatening her child: “Stop crying or else I will throw you at the Ananthankad.” He found the Child and had the vision of the God in all serenity and splendor. The saint plucked a raw mango, and offered it to the Lord. Even today raw mango is the main offering at this temple.

Legends never tally with recorded evidence. The available records include nearly 30 millions palm leaf scrolls, inscriptions and the likes. This is one among the ten qualifications, which enhances the greatness of any temple. One of the palm leaf scrolls shows that the Abhisravana Mandapam was built by the king Kotha Marthanda, after the demise of King Pareekshith.[Admn-:3102- 3042 BC]

Pareekshith ruled his kingdom when the seven planets were in conjunction in Capricorn- a celestial event that takes place only once in 2700 years. The planetary position continues for a century. The next conjunction will take place in 2223 AD and therefore the earlier occurrences were in the years-477Bc and 3177BC. The time frame is correct and by this time, Sree Pamanabha temple has already become an old temple.

This Mahakshetra, is one of the 108 divya kshetrams in the country. The 18 feet idol of Sree Padmanabha is made of 12008 Saligrams (sacred stones) collected from the Gandaki River in Nepal. The Saligrams are bound together using Kadusarkara yogam. A Lotus emerges from HIS navel hence the name Padmanabha. The consecration was conducted by Tarananallur Padmanabharu Parameswararu in 1739 AD, during the reign of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The sanctum has the images of 33 crore celestials in conceptualized form, besides Brahma, Siva Lakshmi Devi, Bhoomi Devi, sages Markandeya and Bhrigu. The seven acre temple complex has other shrines of Ganapathi, Hanuman, Garuda, Narasimha, Vysa, Rama-Lakshmana-Sita, Viswaksenan, Sastha, Kshetrapalaka, and Sree Krishna.

Nammalvar, a 9th century poet has composed many hymns in praise of the deity. The copper plate inscription of Mamapalli, (149 ME) refers to Kunran Kumarapozhan. On the wall of the Sree Krishna shrine is an inscription in Vattezhuthu which says that Kunra kumarapozhan donated land for setting the shrine.

The temple was destroyed in a fire 1686. In 1729 Marthanda Varma reconstructed it. In 1750, he shifted the capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram and built a palace near the temple. He dedicated himself and his possessions to the deity (Trupaddidanam) and assumed the title of Padmanabhadasa. Accordingly, the deity owns the kingdom, and the king was the mere executor of the trust.

The Temple overlooks the pond –Padmatheertham. On the east entrance is seen a seven storey tower- the gopuram that pierces the skyline. The entrance beneath the tower leads to the Natakasala, built in the Vijayanagara style of architecture. Walk past this corridor supported by elaborately carved balustrade of pillars, would lead to oblong seevelipura through which, the idols on special conveyances are taken for circumambulations. Built in the Dravidian, Pallava and the Pandya styles, 365 equitably carved granite pillars support this corridor. The rows of granite and stone ceiling above are decorated with sculptures. Every pillar has the figure of a girl called -Salabanjika -bearing a lamp in the palms of her hands joined together and raised above the waist.

The Kulasekhara Mandapam carries a wealth of intricate granite sculptures. It is here that, Sanskrit scholars and priests chant Vedas during Murajapam, held once in every six years. The ottakkal mandapam facing the main idol is a single slab of granite, which is 2.5 ft thick and 20 ft square. 4000stone artisans, 8000 laborers and 100 elephants worked for a period of 6 months to construct the seevelipura. Amazing!!

The will power

The April showers were severe. The festival had to be conducted. There was no corridor, to take the procession without getting wet. The then Maharaja, Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma, decided to construct a corridor before the next festival, hardly six months away. He had the plans drawn by the “architect” Thycaud Vishnu Tharathan Nampoothiri. Meanwhile, sculptors were brought from Tirunelveli, Thanjavur and other parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Then king deployed 1000 sculptors 1500 helpers on each side. Imagine there was no machinery available during those days. Thousands were appointed to provide food and water. Before the next festival the corridor was erected.

But, the temple premises were littered with stones and debris. The Maharaja was informed that it was not pragmatic to remove the debris within two days. He observed the spot. He pulled his uthareeyam,(long white cloth which covers the upper torso) and spread it. He collected the debris, bundled it, and carried it on his shoulders and unloaded it at a spot outside the temple, setting an example. The laborers and the public, in a joint effort cleared the temple premises within two days.

The festivals

The major festivals are in March-April and in October–November, each of which concludes with the procession, Aaraatu. Every six years the temple is adorned with one million lamps, in connection with the ceremony called Laksha Deepam. His Highness’ daily visit to the temple, as Sree Padmanabhadasa, takes him through the salutations of his people, across the main extent of the city.

Bhadra deepam

On the days of winter and summer solstices Bhadradeepam is observed here. 12 th Bhadradeepam is called Lakshadeepam. It is preceeded by 56 days long Murajapam.

Mura in Malayalam means “in turns” and it also means “Veda Samhita.” This Veda Samhita paarayanam is Murajapam. It consists of eight muras of seven days each. All the Vedas are chanted in eight days and the cycle is repeated and completed in 56 days. At the end of each mura there will be Mura seeveli. On the 56 day, the Seeveli is conducted with lighting one lakh lamps and it is called Lakshadeepam.

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King Kartha veerarjuna of Heheya dynasty, was a powerful monarch. He conducted the Vedic recitations as directed by Sage Atri. The god gave him thousand arms of might for himself and prosperity to the Kingdom and all subjects.

Murajapam and Lakshadeepam are conducted only in Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple. The first Murajapam was held in 1744 and since then it is held every six years without fail. On the day of winter solstice the temple will be decorated with one hundred thousand lamps. Lord Padmanabha, Lord Narasimha and Lord SreeKirshna are taken on beautifully decorated Garuda Vahanams for circumambulations with Veda ghosha and Vadya ghosha. All roads on this day lead to Sree Padmanabhaswmai Temple.

Gaganam gaganaakaaram
Saagaram Saagaropamam
Lakshadeepa mahotsavastu
Lakshadeepa mahotsavah

One can compare the sky to the sky and the ocean to the ocean. Similarly Lakshadeepam can be compared to Lakshadeepam.

We all say “Ellaam Sree Padmanabhande anugraham” and wish his blessings be showered on all of us. [tscii:251d9c0c7e][/tscii:251d9c0c7e]

crazy
4th January 2008, 12:50 AM
interesting ....thanks for sharing with us :)
jan 14th ..does it fall on this date every sixth year or does it varies? just curious to know..coz thai pongal falls on this day :)

padmanabha
4th January 2008, 08:49 AM
it falls on the day of winter solstice
(we call it makara sankramam)
it is on this day that makaravilakku (annuall) is observed at sabarimala

crazy
4th January 2008, 01:22 PM
oh, thanks :P

padmanabha
6th January 2008, 06:49 AM
seeveli is the procession of the deities of sree padmanabha, sree krishna and sree narasimha in specially decorated vahanams along the temple corridor, the maharaja and the royal family members lead the procession.
the colorful processions makes three circumambulations.

padmanabha
8th January 2008, 12:35 PM
visit

sreepadmanabhaswami.org

padmanabha
14th January 2008, 05:49 AM
THE FOLLOWING IS THE GIST OF LAKSHADEEPA SLAAGHA A CHAPTER FROM SYANANDURAPURA VARNANAM BY MAHARAJA SWATI TIRUANL-(I PREPARED THIS IN HASTE). I AM NOT A SANSKRIT SCHOLAR. THIS IS WHAT I UNDERSTOOD. TRANSALTION AND ANALAYSIS WOULD RUN INTO PAGES. SO I THOUGHT OF GIVING ONLY THE GIST.




Once in six years, the fifty-six day long Lakshadeepoatsavam is celebrated at the Sree Padmanabhaswami temple, enthralling the devotees. Scholarly Vedic Brahmins adorn the Syanandoorapuram. After the ritualistic bath at dawn they recite Vedas. Contended they move in groups to the seevelipura for a sumptuous feast. On their way, they could see the delicious spread ready to be served.
THE feast commences with the spreading of plantain leaf. Pristine cooked rice is served. It looks like the moon has risen amidst the clouds. They are served appam, curd, pappadam, kadali, sugar, sweet meat, payasam as required. At one point they refused to accept more servings still they were served food. After the feast, they return to their homes. In the evening, they assemble at the seevelippura for Sahasranamam. One has to be fortunate enough to hear the thousand synonyms of Lord Padmanabha. At dusk, they stand waist deep in the waters of the Padmatheertham and chant hymns and the ritual is called Jalajapam. Like the bees that buzz around the blossom, the Vedic Brahmins gather around for the next feast. This routine continues for 56 days.
Every eighth day the Gods-Padmanabhaswami, Narasimhaswami and Krishnaswami are taken in procession along the temple corridors. This is for those who have come from outside and have not seen the procession of the Gods happening every six months. They have only heard of it. Therefore, the pageantry is organized. Then comes the day of winter solstice, which corresponds to the day of 12th Bhadradeepam. The chanting of the Scriptures cleanses the minds of the even the sinners.
During this period the Celestials wish to be in human form.
At night Lord Vishnu in his Garuda vahanam vists the three worlds. Words desert/fail even the thousand tongued Adisesha. He could not count the number of devotees that throng the temple from dawn to dusk on this day. All the roads, alleys and junctions are well illuminated. The light is so bright that it blurs the vision of the Celestials, so not to speak of the condition of the mortal beings. The Celestials converse among themselves thus:
When one of them tries to count the lights, the other teases and says, it is like god's grace. It cannot be counted. According to another, the glow is due to the descending of a portion of the Sun. Yet another wonders whether sunrise is occurring at Syanandurapuram at dusk. The light is akin to the lion that disperses the elephant herd. They consider it their inability to blink their eyes a blessing in disguise. Another asks whether the stars in the sky are the reflection of these lamps in the sky. The devotees have only half a mind to leave the temple.

padmanabha
14th January 2008, 10:50 PM
LAKSHADEEPAM WAS CELEBRATED TODAY. THE CELEBRATION WAS WELL ORGANIZED. NEALRY 30 - 35 000 DEVEOTEES SAT PATIENTLY IN THE SEVEN ACRE TEMPLE COMPLEX. THE FESTIVAL WAS WELL ORGANIZED. IT WENT OFF PEACEFULLY.
LORD PADMANABHA-THANKS

padmanabha
18th January 2008, 06:10 PM
Two Poles Cezary Galewicz and Lidia Sydka came to Thiruvananthapuram to study Murajapam-56 days long Vedic Chanting.
They were Sanskrit Scholars representing Institute of Oriental Philology, Jagiellonian University, Poland.
Jagiellonian University is the oldest one in Central Europe. Queen Jadwiga established it in 1364.