In a quiet village inland from Kasaragod, a temple sits alone in the middle of a rectangular lake, reached by a short causeway. This is Ananthapura, the only lake temple in Kerala — and, by tradition, something more: it is believed to be the moolasthanam, the original seat, of Anantha Padmanabha, the reclining form of Vishnu worshipped at the great Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram far to the south.
The original seat of the deity
Legend holds that the deity first settled here, at Ananthapura, before travelling south — through a cave, the story says — to Thiruvananthapuram. Whatever the history, the temple’s setting alone is remarkable: a shrine appearing to float on still water, surrounded by greenery, hushed and out of time. It is a place people come to for calm as much as for worship.
Babiya the guardian crocodile
Ananthapura’s most famous resident was Babiya, a crocodile that lived in the temple lake and was regarded as its guardian. By tradition it ate only the temple’s rice offerings and never harmed anyone, and generations of devotees knew it as a gentle presence. Babiya died in October 2022, at a great age, and was mourned widely; in late 2023 a new crocodile was seen in the lake, and the legend continues.
- It’s an active temple about 18 km from Kasaragod town — dress modestly and check visiting hours and any entry customs.
- The setting is the draw: come for the serene lake-temple atmosphere as much as the shrine.
- Photography rules vary at temples — ask before photographing, especially inside.
- Treat the lake and its crocodile with respect and keep a safe distance from the water’s edge.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about the Ananthapura Lake Temple?
It’s the only lake temple in Kerala, set in the middle of a rectangular lake near Kasaragod, and is believed to be the original seat (moolasthanam) of Anantha Padmanabha — the deity worshipped at the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
Who was Babiya the crocodile?
Babiya was the guardian crocodile of the Ananthapura temple lake, believed to eat only the temple’s offerings and never to harm anyone. It died in October 2022 at a great age; a new crocodile was seen in the lake in late 2023.
Where is the Ananthapura Lake Temple?
In Kasaragod district, roughly 18 km southeast of Kasaragod town, in the Manjeshwaram area near the Karnataka border.