A centuries-old tradition finds light of day at Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Light is the star in this ritual that dates back to 1744. Worship of the sun, the crème de la crème of creation and the ultimate energy source, is invoked for the prosperity and goodwill of the nation.

- APARNA NAIR

Lit lamps take center stage, as receivers of the solar energy, which is then channeled through the rituals.

The tradition was part of Thiruvananthapuram from 1744, when it was first introduced at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the architect of the erstwhile Travancore, till the 1960s, when it was stopped reportedly due to financial issues.

"The tradition was entirely for the prosperity, peace, and well-being of the nation," says Uma Maheshwari, a researcher in Travancore history and author of the Mathilakam records series.

Now, 64 years later, the tradition is being revived again at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, with scholars and priests participating in the ritual in all its original grandeur for three days starting July 15.