Ananthapura, the only Lake Temple of Kerala

Posted Date: 01 Jan 2011 Author: Latha Jayaprakash Member Level: Gold (Rs 50)

Ananthapura is the only lake temple in Kasaragod district of the state of Kerala. The temple was built in the 9th century and there is a vegetarian crocodile guarding the temple.

Location of the Ananthapura Lake Temple near Kumbala / Kumble

Ananthapura Lake Temple is an ancient and attractive temple, located in the middle of the lake, at about 5 kilometers from Kumbala in the Kasaragod district of the state of Kerala, in India. Ananthapura Lake Temple seems to be the only lake temple and also is believed to be the Moolasthana or the site, where Lord Anantha Padmanabhaswamy of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, was originally placed. Sri Padmanabha Swamy is settled in a reclining pose on the serpent, God Adisheshan.

About the Ananthapura Lake temple near Kumbala / Kumble

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is surrounded by a rectangular shaped lake which itself makes it unique. The original idol in the temple is of Kadu Sharkara Yogam, unlike other idols in the temples which are made of stones or metals. This Kadu Sharkara Yogam is a combination of 70 medicinal materials but it has changed to Panchaloka in 1972. Efforts are going on to replace the original idol back at the Moolasthana. The District Promotion Council is planning to poreserve the temple and the surroundings

Babia, the vegetarian crocodile of the Ananthapura Lake Temple

There is a legend about the crocodile known as Babia in the lake. There is a crocodile in the lake which is said to be the guard of the temple. When that crocodile dies, another one automatically takes guard and appears mysteriously. It is also said that the crocodile has been living for the past 150 years as only one crocodile is seen at a time.
This is a harmless, pure vegetarian crocodile and does not even kill the fish in the lake. The priests feed the crocodile after the Ucha Pooja / Noon Pooja with a gruel of rice and jaggery. The crocodile comes there at that time, has the food offered and again goes back to the cave which is present closeby.

How to reach the Ananthapura Lake Temple, near Kumbala / Kumble

Since Kumbala / Kumble is situated on the national highway 17, you can reach the place very easily. You can get buses plying in the route regularly. You can get buses fron Kannur and Mangalore to reach the temple.
The nearest railway station is Kumbala / Kumble and some of the trains which go through the route stop there.
If you are travelling by air, Bajpe airport at Mangalore is the nearest. You can get cabs and buses to reach the place from the airport.