The religious centre is the great Anantpadmanabhaswamy Temple. This temple, unfortunately open only to Hindus, attracts thousands of pilgrims and is one of the finest examples of religious architecture in Kerala on a grand scale. The temple has a tank in front for rituals, a pathway lined with shops selling ritual items and flowers, souvenirs for pilgrims, and a place where the local people can meet and chat. Once inside the temple there are great halls with ornamental pillars and carved wooden beams that support typical tiled sloping roofs. Within the sanctum (never seen completely, only partially viewed through three doorways , is the reclining figure of Vishnu supporting creations from the lotus that immerges from his navel.