The magnetic draw of Maha Vishnu in the sayana posture, to devotees, is a phenomenon beyond description. The learned describe this as the yoganidra of the Lord. In this yoganidra the Lord imparts to the world peace, serenity and calm. Those who worship the Lord in such a form are blessed with transcendent wisdom. Little wonder that the 33 crore devas worship the Lord in unison. This is the rare sight that one can see in the Sri Ananthapadmanabha temple in Gandhi Nagar in South Chennai.

Tiruvavanthapuram was the place where Mahavishnu is said to have given darshan to Kaundinya and Divakara Maharishis in a lying down posture, in yoganidra, performing puja to the Sivalinga by his side. Vedic priests point out that this is symbolic of the oneness of Siva and Vishnu. Those who cannot travel to the capital of Kerala can make a short trip to Adyar to have the darshan of the supreme lord recreated on the same lines as Tiruvananthapuram.

It was the god loving local populace of Gandhi Nagar who were instrumental in the establishment of the Sri Ananthapadmanabha temple. In 1960, a few of the residents approached the Raja of Travancore for a donation to buy land to locate the temple. The Raja is supposed to have responded by giving a blank cheque! The residents thereafter appealed to the philanthropic minded and with money thus collected the residents established the temple in the year 1962. As one enters the portals of the temple, the majesty of Ananthapadmanabha, stately in repose, steeped in profound meditation, occupies the vision. The sanctum sanctorum provided with three doors houses the ten-foot vigraha. At the foot and at the head one can find the rishis in penance.

Behind the Lord one can see the 33 crore devas carved in a basrelief in black stone worshipping. From the navel of the Lord the Lotus stem emanates with Brahma seated on the lotus. Padmanabha is the name of the lord that signifies the emergence of the lotus. Padma means lotus and nabha navel in Sanskrit. The feet of the Lord, where one seeks to surrender and attain moksha or salvation is placed on a lotus. Mahavishnu is variously depicted as having his feet on a lotus or having them massaged by Goddess Lakshmi. In one poem a devotee admires the compassion of the Lord who as Rama walked barefoot in jungles after being served so well by his consort in Kshira sagara lying on Adisesha. The pujas are performed here for the Lord as per vedic rites. The utsavar in standing posture accompanied by Bhoo Devi and Neela Devi is Ananthapadmanabha himself. Brahmotsavam in the month of masi is celebrated in a grand manner. The unjal seva of the God and his consort is a special occasion.

The sister of Lord Vishnu, Parvathi is present in this temple, as Ashtadasabuja Mahadurga possessed 18 hands. There are shrines for Vinayaka, Veera Anjaneya, Sudharsana, LakshmiNarasimha, Garudalwar and the Navagrahas. Abhishekam is performed to the main deity on full moon days. Devotees can have this performed by paying Rs.250 to the temple. The Lord is always seen wearing an armour in silver. A number of homams get performed in this temple such as Sudarsana, Ganapati and Durga Homam. The temple has had three kumbhabhishekams in the years 1962,1976 and 1988.

The temple opens at 06.15hrs in the morning and closes at 11.00hrs. It opens at 16.30hrs and closes at 21.00hrs in the night. This temple was adjudged the best and won an award in the year 1994 from the Mylapore Academy.

Ambujam Anantharaman

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