The platforms in front of the vimanam and where the deity rests are both carved out of a single massive stone and hence called Ottakkal-mandapam. On the orders of Marthanda Varma (1706-58), the Ottakkal-mandapam was cut out of a rock at Thirumala, about north of the temple. It measured in area by thick and was placed in front of the deity in the month of Edavom 906 M.E. (1731 CE). At the same time, Marthanda Varma also brought 12,000 shaligrams, aniconic representations of Vishnu, from the Gandaki River, north of Benares (now known as Varanasi) to the temple. These were used in the reconsecration of the Padmanabha.