Ananthapura Lake Temple

Sthala Puranam

The sage Divakara Muni Vilwamangalam did penance here. A child who said he had no parents was shown to be Lord Narayana.

When the boy vanished, the sage followed him through a cave to a forest near the sea. The boy disappeared into an illippa tree.

The tree then fell and took the form of Vishnu reclining on a serpent.

Speciality

• The sanctum stands in the middle of a lake of about 2 acres, fed by a perennial spring.
• Crocodile Babiya was said to be vegetarian and ate only the temple offerings, served twice a week. It never harmed anyone. It died on 9 October 2022 at about 75 years. In November 2023 a much smaller crocodile was seen in the lake and is said to behave in the same peaceful way.
• Counted among the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams of the Vaishnava tradition.
• Said to be the original seat (Moolasthanam) of Ananthapadmanabhaswamy, linked with the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
• The original images were made from more than 70 medicinal materials. They were replaced with panchaloha images in 1972.
• Wood carvings of the Dashavatara are on the mandapam ceilings.

How to reach

Before you go

• Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
• Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
• Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
• Do not enter the lake or go near the water. A crocodile may be present.

Prayers for this temple

• Vishnu Gayatri (Narayana)
• Achyutam Keshavam