Renovated in 1733 AD by the then ruler of Travancore, Raja Marthanda Varma, following his annexation of several small kingdoms into the Venad to enlarge it as the kingdom of Travancore. This temple a sprawling complex with a magnificent seventeen storied tower that houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananthapadmanabha (the lord who upheld creation on a lotus that sprang forth from His navel). The majestic 18-feet-long idol of the principal deity at the sprawling Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is found to have been covered in gold and invaluable precious stones, spurring an unprecedented swell in the flow of devotees to the centuries-old shrine here. The temple is famous for its Arattu festival, which is till date headed by the royal family of Travancore.