Information of Ananthapura Lake Temple (Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple), Kasaragod, Kerala

Ananthapura Lake Temple (Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple) is an important Maha Vishnu shrine built in the Northern Kerala. This temple has links with the famous Trivandrum Padmanabha Kshetram. This is a great shrine for the Hindus and the only lake temple found in Kerala. This is also a great tourist spot having many scenic views of the Western Ghats. This temple is also known for its Vegetarian Crocodile named as Bhabiya. This temple has unique history, architecture and religious beliefs of Hinduism. It is aquatically situated near the Ananthapura Lake, Near Kumbla, Kasargod District of Kerala State in India.

Ananthapura Lake Temple Religious Significance

Ananthapura Lake Temple is the abode for Lord Maha Vishnu. He is believed to be equivalent as the Sri padmanaba Temple of Trivandrum. The deity here is found in the similar way as seen rested on his serpent bed in sleeping position. The Sri Devi, lord Hanuman, Garuda along with Vijaya and Jaya are seen in the central shine. Its sub deities are Maha Ganapathy, Goshalee Krishna, Ullakulu and Mahisha Mardhini. This is a great place for the Vishnavik sect of Hinduism. But this temple is also worshiped by the other sects of Hindus too. Nearby this temple a cave is there which have perennial water and believed to be sacred water. This temple is open throughout the year. The daily rituals are performed here from early morning 05:30 AM to evening 07:30 PM. The important feature of this temple is feeding its temple lake crocodile. This is called as the Babiya Naivedya and the crocodile is given temple offering as vegetarian food daily 07:30 AM and 12:00 PM in the afternoon. The Babiya has not harmed any one so far and never eats the fishes found in the lake. This temple has restriction like men's should not wear dark colored dhoti's and must come to this temple with bare chest, either without shirt and T shirts.

Ananthapura Lake Temple Mythology & History

Ananthapura Lake Temple has connection with the Sri Padmanabha kshetram of Trivandrum through a cave nearby this temple. It is said that once the god came in a child's form and went in to this cave with a brightness surrounded by him. This was seen by a priest and followed this cave and reached the Ananthapura. Since then this lake temple is believed to be the Moola Sthana of Lord Maha Vishnu.

Ananthapura Lake Temple Architectural Significance

Ananthapura Lake Temple is a beautiful aquatic temple seen as two pyramids placed one over the other. This temple is spread across 2 acres of land areas including the lake and temple grounds. The lake is a rectangular shape having the temple built in the center of this lake. The temples are accesses by a wooden made porch bridge from the main land. It is a typical Kerala temple built out of latrite stone and woods. The entire temple is covered by the terracotta tiles in a gabled manner. These are looking like pyramid type domes. Such domes are seen in the entire temple top structure. The central shrine cell is placed in the main structure which is the largest one. All of its deities are found in beautiful carvings on stones. Nearby this temple there is an ancient cave which is believed to be the underground passage to the Lord Padmanabha Swamy temple of Trivandrum. This cave has a perennial water source. This temple has beautiful stone art and appreciable for its wooden craftsmanship. This temple has got one of the unique murals of unknown artists.

Festival at Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Ananthapura Lake Temple's major festival is the Navaanna, Vaarshika Uthsavam and Krishnashtami. These festivals are conducted here annually with traditional temple classical songs live performance. The Ananthapura will be decorated with flowers and other decoration materials. Many devotees across Kerala come here to see these festivals. A great fair is organized here on the temple ground. More than thousand devotees come in the festival times and the presence marks the festival an important one that draws huge crowds from all over. The Thapotsavam is the major festival conducted in April month of every year.