The Legendary Lakshadeepam @ Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple
Once in every six years, the iconic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram provides a visual treat by lighting one lakh oil lamps– earthen and brass– all around its structure, and across the temple premises. Lakshadeepam ceremony marks the culmination of the 56-day Murajapam festival which involves ceremonial chanting of the Vedas in seven sessions, each lasting eight days. The mantras from the three Vedas — Rig Veda, Sama Veda and Yajur Veda– are chanted as part of this ritual. Along with this chanting, the idols of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Narasimha and Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna are also displayed at the sacred Shiveli procession held once every eight days. It is truly incredible to watch the ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple bathed in the light of shimmering lamps. Thousands of devotees flock to this age-old magnificent shrine to get a glimpse of the beautiful revolving oil lamps placed at each entrance, and the illuminations on the Gopuram and Shivelipura.
