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Ananthapura Lake Temple

Kasaragod, Kasaragod, Kerala
Lord Vishnu
More in Kerala

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Vishnu

Pincode

671121

The only lake temple in Kerala — Lord Ananthapadmanabha (Vishnu reclining on Adishesha) is enshrined on a small island in the middle of a sacred lake. A unique resident crocodile called 'Babiya' is believed to be a divine guardian — it has never harmed anyone and is fed by the temple. Considered the original peetham (source temple) of Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram.

History & Significance

Significance

Ananthapura is considered the 'moolasthana' (original abode) of the Ananthapadmanabha idol that was later installed at Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The sacred crocodile Babiya, believed to be the reincarnation of a devotee, has lived peacefully in the lake for decades.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Shiva

A major Shiva temple 7 km from Kasaragod town, famous for the beautiful 11th-century Vijayanagara-style architecture and the unique 'Thripady' tradition where worship follows a 3-day cycle. The sacred Madhuvan river flows beside the temple. One of north Kerala's most visited pilgrimage sites.

Madhur Madhyankeswara Temple

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A major Devi temple 18 km from Mangalore, dedicated to Goddess Rajarajeshwari (the supreme form of Devi who rules the cosmos). The temple's Navaratri festival draws 5 lakh devotees. Known for the unique tradition of 'Tuluva' rituals blending Hindu and local folk traditions.

Polali Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple

Polali, Karnataka28 km
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One of the most important temples in Mangalore, built by social reformer Narayana Guru in 1912 to provide a temple for all castes. Lord Gokarnanatha (a form of Shiva as Lord of Gokarna) is the presiding deity. The nine-day Navaratri festival here includes spectacular cultural events and draws 5 lakh visitors.

Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple

Mangalore, Karnataka39 km
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One of the oldest temples in Mangalore (9th century CE), built by the Alupa dynasty. Houses the largest bronze idol of Lokeshwara (Avalokitesvara) in India — a 5-foot Buddhist bronze from the 10th century CE, indicating the temple's Buddhist origins. The Nath Panth tradition of tantra yoga has its roots here.

Kadri Manjunatha Temple

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