Thiruvananthapuram, June 8 (UNI) Nearly after 275 years, a rare Maha Kumbhabhisekam was performed at the world's richest Lord Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple here on Sunday.

The ceremony includes the installation of Golden Thazhikakudam (placing of the golden finial atop the temple), installation of a new idol of Lord Viswaksena and the Ashtabandham ritual at Lord Thiruvambady Sree Krishna temple.

The temple authorities decided to conduct the rituals following an astrological assessment held in 2011.

The ceremony took place between 7.40 am and 8.40 am in the presence of Travancore Royal Family members and officials of the temple administration.

Based on the advice from the Temple Tantri and vastu expert Kanippayyoor Krishnan Namboodiripad, a new idol was crafted by renowned sculptor Thirukoshtiyur Madhavan from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu.

Under the chief supervision of Temple Head Tantri Brahmashri Govindan Namboothirippad, the rituals and ceremonies were conducted by the Temple Tantris Brahmashri Tharananellur N.R Pradeep Namboothirippad, Brahmashri Tharananellur N.R. Satheeshan Namboothirippad and

Brahmashri Tharananellur Saji Namboothirippad.

The installation ceremony was attended by the Temple Sthani (Hereditary Chief), Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Yogath Pottimaar, members of both the Administrative and Advisory Committees of the Temple, the Executive Officer, temple staff, and other distinguished guests and invitees.

The temple is built in an intricate fusion of the Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture, featuring high walls and a 16th-century gopuram.

While, as per some traditions, the Ananthapura Temple in Kumbla in Kerala's Kasaragod district is considered the original spiritual seat of the deity (Mulasthanam), architecturally, to some extent, the temple is a replica of the Adikesava Perumal Temple in Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

UNI DS ARN