<p>Suprabhata and numerous rituals associated with the Mahotsav will be conducted under the aegis of seer Savyasachi and Dharmashikari seer Thiru.<br /><br />The distinct feature of the lord Ananthapadmanabha is that the idol in sleeping posture is located at Chandrapushkarani tank, which lies between hills.<br /><br />Prayers cannot be offered to the deity during rainy season, as the temple gets submerged in the tank. As a result the temple trust has decided to construct another temple without obstructing prayers to the procession deity.<br /><br />The trust has begun the construction of gopura imitating the seven-headed serpent at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore. Also plans are underway to construct a majestic gateway, old age home, shelter for the homeless, goshala, yoga, sanskrit and Agama Veda schools, said trustees.<br /><br />The temple authorities will ensure that ‘trividha dasoha’ - proving food, education and shelter- will continue without any hurdles, he added.<br /><br />A bit of legend<br /><br />In the ancient times, Gavichandrayaswamy Temple near Chintamani was an abode of devout brahmins. A god-fearing brahmin was bestowed with seven daughters from his first wife. On performing Ashtakshari Mahayaga, his second wife gave birth to a seven-headed serpent.<br /><br />At the wedding of one of the daughters, the seven-headed serpent considering its presence to be inauspicious, curled itself and stayed put in one of the corners, unnoticed by the others.<br /><br />Cooks in a hurry mistook the curled serpent to a stand and placed a huge utensil containing hot payasa (a sweet dish), killing the serpent.<br /><br />On knowing the death of their son, both the mothers and the seven sisters died on the spot.<br /><br />A god who had taken the form of a serpent, owing to a curse, chose the land and granted it to the brahmin for performing the last rites. <br /><br />Also, the god directed the brahmin to install lord Ananthapadmanabha and offer prayers at the designated land. As a result, a temple was constructed dedicating it to lord Ananthapadmanabha. Apart from Thiruvananthapuram, this is the only place which has a temple dedicated to the deity.</p>
<p>Suprabhata and numerous rituals associated with the Mahotsav will be conducted under the aegis of seer Savyasachi and Dharmashikari seer Thiru.<br /><br />The distinct feature of the lord Ananthapadmanabha is that the idol in sleeping posture is located at Chandrapushkarani tank, which lies between hills.<br /><br />Prayers cannot be offered to the deity during rainy season, as the temple gets submerged in the tank. As a result the temple trust has decided to construct another temple without obstructing prayers to the procession deity.<br /><br />The trust has begun the construction of gopura imitating the seven-headed serpent at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore. Also plans are underway to construct a majestic gateway, old age home, shelter for the homeless, goshala, yoga, sanskrit and Agama Veda schools, said trustees.<br /><br />The temple authorities will ensure that ‘trividha dasoha’ - proving food, education and shelter- will continue without any hurdles, he added.<br /><br />A bit of legend<br /><br />In the ancient times, Gavichandrayaswamy Temple near Chintamani was an abode of devout brahmins. A god-fearing brahmin was bestowed with seven daughters from his first wife. On performing Ashtakshari Mahayaga, his second wife gave birth to a seven-headed serpent.<br /><br />At the wedding of one of the daughters, the seven-headed serpent considering its presence to be inauspicious, curled itself and stayed put in one of the corners, unnoticed by the others.<br /><br />Cooks in a hurry mistook the curled serpent to a stand and placed a huge utensil containing hot payasa (a sweet dish), killing the serpent.<br /><br />On knowing the death of their son, both the mothers and the seven sisters died on the spot.<br /><br />A god who had taken the form of a serpent, owing to a curse, chose the land and granted it to the brahmin for performing the last rites. <br /><br />Also, the god directed the brahmin to install lord Ananthapadmanabha and offer prayers at the designated land. As a result, a temple was constructed dedicating it to lord Ananthapadmanabha. Apart from Thiruvananthapuram, this is the only place which has a temple dedicated to the deity.</p>
