Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum is an architectural wonder and a magnificent temple, situated in the heart of the city.

The massive structure has a staggering 100 feet high "Gopuram", the main temple tower.

It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the Gods of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. The massive idol of the deity measures 18 feet in length and is covered with gold and other precious stones.

The idol is viewed through three different doors. The head and torso is visible through the first opening. The midriff and hands are visible through the second door and the feet are visible through the third door. The massive idol is seen resting gracefully on the Serpent Lord, Anantha.

The temple is famous for its Arattu festival, which is till date headed by the royal family of Travancore. The procession is worth seeing as it is a grand spectacle of beautifully decorated elephants and musicians chanting Lords name.

The temple is made beautifully with an amalgamation of Hindu and Kerala architecture.

The temple is spread over a vast area and is an important worship of Hindus in Kerala.

Snake or Mannarshala Temple:

Mannarshala covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess.

It is the largest Snake Temple in Kerala.

It is located 32 Kms south Of Alappuzha, in Kerala.

The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are 2 main idols: `Nagaraja` or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini.

The priestess lives in the `Illam` on the north side of the temple. `Uruli Kamazhthal` or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples.

Mannarshala temple at Harippad is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-gods and this is the largest of its kind in the state. On the day of `Ayilliam` asterism in the Malayalam months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to illam ( the house connected with the temple) where `Nurum Palum` (rice flour and milk), `Kuruthi` (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime), offerings are made. The procession is conducted with great pomp and gaiety in which the oldest female member of the family carries the Nagaraja idol.

During the festival days, thousands throng the temple to worship the hooded gods.

The offerings include coins and snake effigies made of gold, silver and copper, grains of all kinds, pepper, tender coconuts, plantains, melons and sandalwood.