Kumbla Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple

Kerala, Kasaragod, Thiruvananthapuram

Situated at Kasargod, Kerala, Ananthapura Lake Temple is the only lake temple in Kerala. The temple is built in the middle of a lake. It is believed that the temple is the original seat of Lord Ananthapadmanabha Swami of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

Legend

According to the legends, The story says that once Lord Krishna appeared before the great sage Sree Vilvamangalathu Swami as a mischievous little boy. Overwhelmed by the glowing face of the boy, Vilwamangalam asked the boy who he was. The boy replied that he had no one and has no home. Vilwamangalam felt pity for the boy and asked the boy to stay with him, The boy put forward a condition that he will leave the place whenever he feels humiliated. The boy started to live with Vilwamangalam. The boy dily irritates Vilwamangalam with his pranks but Vilwamangalam remains quiet. One day while Vilwamangalam was doing the pooja and the boy started disturbing him. Vilwamangalam became annoyed and pushed the boy aside. Humiliated the boy disappeared into a nearby cave and at the same time, a divine voice was heard saying "If you want to see me, come to Ananthankadu." Only then, Vilwamangalam realized that the boy was none other Lord Krishna. Vilwamangalam found the cave and went through the passage there till he reached the Seashore and from there traveled southwards in search of Ananthankadu. Vilwamangalam had the magnificent vision of Lord Vishnu there. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram is the place where he got the vision. On the north-East corner of the lake there is still a big cave with a small pit with a perennial presence of water in it, which is considered as a sacred Theertham.

Architecture

Ananthapura Lake Temple is very unique structurally, as it is built in the middle of an impressive lake of 302 feet length and width. The lake has a perennial supply of pure spring water. All around the lake, there are ruins of temple and other buildings, indicating that the original structure might have been much bigger. The Sreekovil, namaskaara mandapam, thidappally, shrines of Jala-Durga and the entrance of the cave are in the middle of the lake. The namaskara mandapam is connected with the rocks on the eastern side with a foot-bridge, which is the only passage to the Sreekovil. The temple has excellent wood carvings on the ceilings of namaskara mandapam, depicting episodes from Dasavathaaram, some of which are painted. The carved Nava-gruhas at the mukha-mandapam are also painted. Gaja mukhas are carved at twelve positions on the side. On either sides of the Sreekovil, the dwarapalakas (Jaya and Vijaya) are beautifully carved, as the Sreekovil is considered as Sree Vaikunta itself. The temple also boasts murals on Dasaavathaaram.

Darsan Info

Ananthapura Lake Temple is open from 5:30 AM to 1 PM and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

The temple is famous for the crocodile that lives in the tank. Even though the presence of the crocodile has been reported for quite long, no one has been harmed till date. In 1945, a soldier of the British army that was camping here, shot the crocodile (named Babiya) and killed it for fun. It is said that another crocodile appeared at the same tank soon enough. Old timers say that this is the third crocodile that has appeared in the lake. It is fed on the offerings made at the temple and has not harmed even the fish in the lake. The presence of the crocodile continues to be a mystery as there are no rivers or ponds with crocodile anywhere in the neighbourhood of the temple. The crocodile reminds the devotees of the Gajendra-moksha story of Sreemad Bhagavatha Purana. Babiya is offered the naivedya at 8 AM and 12 noon every day.

Darsan Dresscode

The entry to Ananthapura Lake Temple is restricted to anyone during their Ame, Sootaka (the 12-day period within birth or death in the family). Devotees are not supposed to wear dark lungis and should remove their shirt and banyan, while having the darsan.

Famous Festival

February/March : Annual Festival

July/August :Ramayana Masacharane

October/November :Navaanna

Culture

Even though the temple is linked to Sri Ananthapadmanabha Temple, Thiruvnananthapuram, the regional culture is related to the blend of Kerala and Kannadiga ones, as it borders the two States.

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Temple Rituals

On either side of Lord Vishnu are the Goddesses - Sridevi on the right and Bhoodevi on the left. All the idols face east. Other deities are Garuda, Hanumaan, Ganapathi and Jala-Durga. The prasada rice from the temple is offered to Babiya, the Crocodile.

Special Rituals

At Ananthapura Lake Temple ,Cocks are offered to Babiya, the Crocodile, as offering on Tuesdays and Fridays. It is said that the crocodile refuses to accept the offering if the devotee has some negative developments at home. Guruthi given to Raktheswari is another special offering, which is done on Tuesdays after Athazha Pooja. Women are not allowed to be inside the temple premises while Guruthi is offered.