Ananthapura Lake Temple - utsavakeralam

The Divine Origin of Padmanabhaswamy

At the northernmost tip of Kerala, a serene spiritual marvel commands the landscape of Kasaragod. The Ananthapura Lake Temple, dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, stands as a brilliant center of divine energy. Interestingly, this sacred site holds a profound historical distinction. Local tradition widely recognizes it as the Moolasthanam—the original seat—of the world-renowned Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Spiritual Alignment of Kerala’s Two Extremes

Geographically, two extraordinary temples anchor the opposite ends of the state. While the Ananthapura Lake Temple guards the northern border in Kasaragod, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple protects the southern coast in Thiruvananthapuram.

This structural alignment represents far more than a geographical coincidence. Through these twin sacred spaces, the physical boundaries of Kerala seamlessly unite in a shared spiritual legacy.

Historical records state that the revered sage Vilwamangalam Swamiyar performed the consecration rituals here. Although the exact chronology of his life remains shrouded in mystery, local legends point to three distinct sages bearing this title across different eras. The first Vilwamangalam lived during the 9th century, the third emerged in the late 16th century (around 1585 AD), and the second spanned the centuries in between.

Inside the Unique Lake Sanctum

Notably, Ananthapura stands as the only authentic lake temple in Kerala. Ancient structural ruins surrounding the water body indicate that a massive, sprawling temple complex once existed on this site. Today, the main sanctum sanctorum stands beautifully amidst the water, housing seven distinct deities.

Lord Vishnu sits majestically as the primary deity, flanked closely by Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhumi Devi. Beside them, Lord Hanuman and Garuda stand in deep reverence. Additionally, two beautifully sculpted Naga Kanyakas hold traditional hand fans at the outer edges of the shrine.

The Mystery of the Kadu Sharkara Idols

Originally, ancient artisans crafted all the temple idols using an incredibly complex traditional herbal-clay mixture known as Kadu Sharkara Yogam. However, the temple management temporarily replaced these original figures with Panchaloha (five-metal) idols in 1972. These metal idols arrived as a prestigious donation from Jayendra Saraswathi, the late head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

Following this specific modification, the surrounding region faced numerous unexplained hardships and misfortunes. Consequently, the temple authorities conducted a Devaprashnam—a traditional astrological consultation to discern divine will. The ritual clearly revealed that the deity desired the restoration of the traditional, ancient idol forms.

The Legend of Babiya, the Vegetarian Crocodile

Beyond its architectural beauty, the temple gained global fame due to an extraordinary crocodile named Babiyan (or Babiya). For decades, this incredible reptile lived peacefully in the temple pond, consuming nothing but the sweet Nivedyam (rice and jaggery offering) provided daily by the priests.

Historical records and local lore recall a shocking incident from 1945. A British soldier stationed nearby shot the resident crocodile. Strangely, on that very same day, the soldier met a mysterious death via an attack by an unknown creature. Devotees later gave the guardian reptile a respectful funeral.

Surprisingly, a new crocodile appeared in the lake the very next day. To this day, only a single crocodile inhabits the waters at any given time. Local believers view this gentle, vegetarian guardian as a manifestation of Lord Varuna, the ancient god of the oceans.

Architectural Anomalies and Hidden Pathways

Architecturally, the temple features a unique Sarppakkettu (serpent-style) perimeter wall that rises over 10 feet high. Because of the layout, devotees perform their Pradakshinam (holy circumambulation) directly around the outer edges of the pond.

Furthermore, the temple grounds feature two fascinating structural elements:

The Vasanthaghatta: A raised granite platform located in the south-east corner, used to seat the deity during special festival rituals.
The Rare Ganapathi Shrine: Unlike most Kerala temples where Lord Ganesha sits to the right of the main deity, this specific idol is uniquely positioned in the north-west corner.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature is a mysterious cave located in the right corner of the lake. According to local legends, Lord Ananthapadmanabha Swamy traveled all the way to Thiruvananthapuram through this subterranean path. This timeless legend explains why both temples share such deeply intertwined names and traditions.

Spectacular Boat Festivals of Kasaragod

The temple truly comes alive during its annual festival, celebrated over a single day in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February–March). During these celebrations, the chief priest places the festival deity onto two interconnected, brilliantly illuminated boats. As these vessels slowly glide across the tranquil waters around the sanctum, they create a mesmerizing spiritual spectacle that attracts visitors from across the country.