Laksha Deepam festival

Ananta Padmanabha Swamy temple,Thiruvanantapuram. Lakshadeepam literally translates as one lakh (one hundred thousand) lamps. The entire temple is adorned with one lakh (one hundred thousand) oil lamps in and around temple. The maiden Lakshadeepam was celebrated on the first of Makaram 925 ME / 14th or 15th of January 1750 AD. The festival was conducted with much pomp and fanfare, in the grandest manner possible by King Marthanda Varma. This mega festival is observed on the concluding day of Murajapam. Murajapam is a holy prayer offered to the Lord Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy once in 6 years which comprises chanting of 3 Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda) and Vishnu Sahasranamam for a period of 56 days which ends on the day of Makara Sankranti in the month of January. Laksha Deepam festival is celebrated on the day of Makara Sankranti. On this auspicious day, the entire temple is adorned with one lakh (one hundred thousand) oil lamps in and around temple. This festival still continues as an immensely grand festival and visual magnitude attracting staggering numbers to the doors of this great temple.

Laksha Deepam festival at Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple