Ananthapura Lake Temple (Kerala)
The temple's lake is also home to a venerable
crocodile, which is supposed to be the guard
of the temple.
Ananthapura Lake Temple (Kerala) Hindu Temples
Ananthapura Lake Temple is a Hindu temple located in the middle of a lake in the Kasargod District of Kerala, South India, 5 km from Kumbla. This is the only lake temple in Kerala and the original seat (Moolasthana) of Ananthapadmanabha Swami (Padmanabhaswamy temple) Thiruvananthapuram.
Local legend has it that this is the original site where Ananthapadmanabha settled down.
The temple's lake is also home to a venerable crocodile, which is supposed to be the guard of the temple. When one dies another mysteriously takes its place. Temple authorities claim that the crocodile does not harm anyone, not even the fish in the lake. Ramachandra Bhatt, a trustee of the temple, said: "Babia is a total vegetarian and is feed daily after the noon worship conducted at the temple, it is given the prasads offered by the devotees and gruel which is prepared extra for Babia is feed like an elephant by putting to its mouth." "We have a strong belief that this crocodile is a messenger of god and always alerts us when there is any unusual thing is going to happen in and around the temple premises," he added. The legend goes that while the great mystic and devotee of Lord Vishnu Sree Vilvamangalathu Swami was doing penance, Lord Krishna in the form of a little boy kept disturbing his prayers.
Kumbala can easily be reached from Mangalore or from Kannur via a number of bus routes, as well as by train and taxi.
The lake temple is situated in the heart of the Ananthapura Lake in a tranquil ambience. Perched on a rocky hill, one can have a panoramic view of the luscious surrounding. It is believed that a lone crocodile inhabits the lake. So be a little more careful while traveling to the lake temple. It is a venue of Thapotsavam, an annual one-day festival. This festival is held in the month of April.
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Hindu Temples in India
temples
Kerala