Ananthapuravarnanam , a 13th century composition by an anonymous poet, paints a vivid portrayal of the Padmanabhaswamy temple and surrounding areas.
The captivating narration takes readers to numerous theerthas , sacred tanks, ancient temples and famous Kanthaloor Salai before prostrating before the main shrine at Padmanabha Swamy temple.
The author of Ananthapuravarnanam has spared no efforts in narrating to the last detail the activities in a nearby market. What is truly fascinating is the poet’s account of a nadakkavu , a densely wooded path on the western side of the temple. Different indigenous varieties of Mâvu (mango tree), Neermaruthu , Vamsham (bamboo), and Kaitha (screw pine) are seen in abundance.
Unnuneelisandesham is another literary composition that gives us a description of the verdant foliage on the temple premises. Here, the author records the fragrance of the Punna flowers and a beautiful jasmine garden in front of the temple.
The poets’ lines can be substantiated in terms of historical references. In the case of the various trees seen around the temple, a study of the toponomy reveals that the surrounding areas were, in most cases, named after trees and shrubs. The abode of Punna trees mentioned in Unnuneelisandesham is none other than the present Punnapuram, located in the Northwest area of the Fort.
The nearby Perumthanni once had huge Thanni trees that dominated the skyline. The palms in Ottapanamoodu and Panamoodu, located towards the coastal belt, imparted an altogether distinctive ambience to the landscape dotted with shifting sand dunes.
The medieval records associated with the temple mention Kaithavilakam, where the temple sentries were once housed.
Later, during the eighteenth century, when the Fort was constructed, Kaitha was planted around the walls as a thorny, protective buffer to keep out intruders. Kaithamukku, a junction located towards the North of the temple, reminds us of the old Kaitha connection.
Jackfruit trees were seen in abundance in the Western side of the temple complex, especially in Palliadakku mukku , the old royal cemetery outside the Fort. This is due to the fact that in olden days there was a tradition of planting a Plâvu (jackfruit tree) to mark the spot where the bodies were cremated.
Sahityapanchananan P.K. Narayana Pillai in his autobiography has recorded his visit to the Fort and its precincts during the last decade of the nineteenth century.
On his visit to Attakulangara School, Narayana Pillai passes alongside the Casuarina trees ( Kâttadi ) that lined either side of the road. Some fine specimens of the grand old Casuarina trees can still be seen in Thiruvananthapuram. The Casuarina grove at Sangumugham beachside is, perhaps, known to the new generation as a vestige of the Colonial legacy.
However, it is interesting to observe that in 1881, the Travancore Government had issued a royal proclamation to introduce Casuarina trees in the Government land lying vacant and those prone to easy encroachment.
The barren land where fruit trees refused to grow was also planted with Casuarina. The proclamation also mentions that the wood, when dried, could be used as firewood.
It is worthy to note that the introduction of Casuarina trees gained momentum during the reign of Visakam Tirunal Rama Varma (r.1880-1885), who was a well-known botanist responsible for introducing rubber and tapioca in erstwhile Travancore.
