Ananthapura Lake Temple, Kasargod

Ananthapura Lake temple is positioned in Ichilampady, a village of Ananthapura, Kasargod District in the state of Kerala, India. This is the only lake temple in Kerala and is believed to be the original seat of Lord Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. The temple is known as the moolasthanam, the original source, of the Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala State, which is in the far south.

The scenery surrounding the temple is a treat to the eye, creating a sense of peace and solitude. Sprawling hillocks sets the background and the temple is surrounded by vast grass lands. The Sreekovil is surrounded by a rectangular lake. The Temple Gopuram, the temple edifice, and the Sreekovil are connected by a small bridge. On the outer walls of the Sreekovil there are marvellous and ancient mural paintings on Puranic themes. To protect these paintings an outer wall was constructed around the Sreekovil in recent times. ARCHITECTURE

The temple is raised in a unique structural aspects in the middle of the serene lake. The lake is gifted with a perennial supply of pure spring water.The lake of the temple measures around 2 acres of the area. The temple has an excellent collection of wood carvings. These carvings depict the legendary stories of Dasavataram.

HISTORY

The legend says that the great sage Divakara Muni Vilwamangalam performed several poojas here. He

was also lucky enough to provide shelter to the Lord who was in the guise of a mischievous little boy. The history says that Lord Padmanabhaswamy went all the way to Thiruvananthapuram through the cave in the right corner of the lake. The significant feature of the temple is the Vegetarian Crocodile in the temple pond which is said to be around 150 years old. This is considered as the Guardian Crocodile and is named as Babia. Babia accepts only the offerings from the devotees. Usually it is a special gruel made of rice and molasses. The temple authorities report that the crocodile hasn’t even harmed the fishes in the pond.

PUJA TIMINGS

The temple is open for devotees from 5.30 AM to 12.30 PM and from 5.30 PM to 7.30 PM.

FESTIVALS

The major festival of this temple is the Vaarshikothsava celebrated during the

14th of Malayalam month Kumba. The best month to visit the temple is April.

SPECIAL RITUALS

The daily poojas are performed at 7.30 pm, 12.30 pm and 7 pm. The poojas performed in the temple include Karthika pooja, Panchakajjaya, Kumkumarchana, Pushpanjali, Karpooraarthi, Haalupayasa, Kalasha Japa, Shani Japa, Tambila, Vidhyarambha and Annaprashna.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu. The deities in the temple were made up of 70 medicinal materials also called as Kadu-Sharkara-Yogam. These idols were replaced by Panchaloha metals. The deity is seen in a sitting posture with a fiveheaded serpent King.

HOW TO REACH

By Road

The temple is 12 kms away from Kasargod. The main bus stand is at a walkable distance of 650 m from the temple. Buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis are available almost all the time to reach the temple. By Rail

The nearest rail head is the Kasargod Railway station at a distance of 15 kms from the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport at a distance of 560 kms from the temple.