Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple (An Old and Rare Book)

Lauded as one of the One Hundred and Eight great' centres of Vaishnava worship in Bharatha Varsha, Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is a treasure—house of art and architecture as well. The influence exerted by this Temple over the state and its people as well as on territories far removed from it, spans centuries. Its glory and importance are multi- dimensional. Despite the changing phases of its evolution it has guarded and cherished its legacy of spiritual ism including continuity of traditional rites and rituals without sacrificing them in the name of progress. This volume is a pilgrimage into the realm of devotion and is a journey into the significant history of the land under its sway covering many of the inter-related aspects as well. Infusion-of royalty has added splendour to its many unique features. An attempt has also been made to present in this volume many little known aspects associated with this Temple. Above all, it strives to receive and transmit the glory of this ancient Abode of the Divine which has faced and outlived the relentless march of time.

Her Highness Aswathy Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi, a member of the royal family of the former princely State of Travancore, is the niece of His Highness Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Vamwa, the last ruler of the State. A Graduate in Economics, she has distinguished herself as a writer. She has to her credit over One hundred and fifty poems and several articles in English, most of which have been published in some of the prominent journals in India and abroad. Her first book Thirumulkazhcha has been a compilation of her poems, which were an expression of her deep emotion on the last days and subsequent demise of her beloved uncle. The Dawn her next work, is a collection of poems on a variety of themes, published by Macmillan India Limited. This, her third book Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is not only a treatise on the Temple, but also a testament of her deep faith in her family deity. She is a gifted speaker as well.

Married to Shri. R.R. Varma of Paliakkara Western Palace, Thiruvella, she is blessed with two sons.

Dedication
This work of love and veneration on the abode of the Paramount Arbiter of Destiny, I most humbly dedicate in thanksgiving to the living presence of that supreme devotee of Sree Padmanabha Swamy, Sree Padmanabha Dasa Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma, my ever-beloved uncle to whom I owe so much. Though these pages, let me say “Thank you dearest uncle, thank you”

Translation of the Sreemukham
We are happy to know that Sreemathy Gouri Lakshmi Bayi of the Royal Family of Travancore has written a book in English on the Grand Temple of Sree Padmanabha which has shed its radiance on the city of Thiruvananthapuram for hundreds of years and that it is being published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay.

A number of topics have been dealt within this work. We believe that by perusing this volume it will be possible to obtain a comprehensive picture of this great Temple.

May the book receive excellent acceptance from the readers. We wish continued prosperity to the author of this book and also to the publishers.

In remembrance of Sree Narayana Bhagavan.