Murajapam ritual begins at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple

The 56-day Murajapam ritual began at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple on Thursday with the chanting of Vedas.

The ritual is held once every six years. It began with a ‘Ganapati Homam’ conducted under the supervision of Tantri Tharananelloor Satheesan Namboodiripad. Scholars also chanted Vedas and Sukthas. Pushpanjali and Nivedyam were offered to the presiding deity.

The Murajapam was first organised at the temple in 1750 by the ruler of erstwhile Travancore Marthanda Varma after he shifted his capital from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram.

Usually, hymns from Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda are recited by 24 scholars each during the ritual. This year, Atharva Veda too will be chanted.

Sahasranamajapam and Jalajapam are also held during the ritual.

Ahead of the Murajapam, Vedamandapams were opened at the four entrances of the temple.

Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, Pooyam Thirunal Gouri Parvathy Bayi, and Aswathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi of the ruling family of erstwhile Travancore attended. In the evening, a public Sahasranamajapam was held at the Seevelipura.

Cultural programmes will be held at the eastern entrance of the temple in connection with the Murajapam. Actor Rana Daggubati inaugurated the event. He was presented with an Onavillu by Aditya Varma of the ruling family of erstwhile Travancore. The actor released the temple calendar for 2026.