My childhood friend and me decided on a road trip from Mangalore, he asked what I was keen on, and I mentioned Nature. He went away did his research and came back with the option of visiting a lake temple located amidst nature a few kilometres away from Mangalore, which housed a crocodile. In all honesty, what prompted us both to decide on visiting the temple was the crocodile, however upon reaching there it was the authenticity of the temple and its surroundings that held our attention and awe.
Walking down the steps to the entryway of the temple, you are still unaware on what to expect on the other side. The darkness of the corridor is followed by the nature-lit picture-perfect view of the ancient temple, away from all the noise of the world, and filled with near silence only interrupted by the chirping of the birds.
The temple sits proudly in the middle and is surrounded by lush green lake. A bridge on the lake leads worshippers to the ‘Sreekovil’ and the residing lord and his companions. You will find yourself standing at the entrance, and just taking in the entire view and realizing that you may have not seen or visited a temple as distinct as this. I know I surely have not.
Around the temple, you walk barefoot to the other deities located within the temple and enjoying the quaint raw beauty of the temple. You will also be amazed realizing that there exists no barricade between the lake, yourself and the crocodile. It is free to enter your walking space at any given point of time, and this is where the uniqueness of the temple gets more attractive. History records that the resident crocodile named ‘Babiya’ has posed no danger to date. Walking alongside the lake, this belief ensures you feel no fear.
As we were walking by, hoping to catch a glimpse of the crocodile, the local men on the other corner of the hill opposite us, waves and points to the lake in excitement. The crocodile has been spotted, we ran to the other side and in the centre of the lake the crocodile was swimming unaware of the stir that his appearance has caused. We stood there watching it for a while. A bird was fishing dangerously close to the crocodile, watching so many shows on National Geographic we were hoping for a hunter and prey situation but none unfolded. The bird was calm and just carried on with its fishing and the crocodile just swam the stretches of the lake, both aware of each other’s presence and yet unbothered by it.
As I was leaving the temple, I realized that although it was the crocodile that prompted us to visit the temple, it was the aura of the temple that prompted us to stay for as long as we did.
Truly a unique experience, approved from the mind of Nive Prem.
The Details:
The Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple also known as the Ananthapura Lake Temple is located in Kasargod District of Kerala. It is unique as it is the only Lake Temple in Kerala, and is considered to be the original abode of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvanthapuram. The difference noted is that at the temple in Thiruvanthapuram, Lord Maha Vishnu is portrayed lying on his side, resting on the serpent ‘Anantha’, whereas at this lake temple Lord Maha Vishnu is portrayed seated on the serpent ‘Anantha’.
A tunnel/cave exists on the corner of the temple, which connects this temple to Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvanthapuram.
Legend states that this temple is associated with the great devotee of Lord Maha Vishnu, Sree Vilvamangalathu Swami. And around the lake there exists a shrine of Lord Krishna, which is said to be worshipped by Sree Vilvamangalathu Swami himself.
Noteworthy is also the fact that the residing deities are neither made of metal nor soil but by using an age-old tradition involving elements from the nature known as ‘Katu-Sarkara-Yogam’.
The Darshan Timings are from 05:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 05:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
If you wish to see the crocodile being fed the ‘Naivedyam’ (offerings) then arrive for the noon pooja between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
The Temple is easily accessible, google maps as always will not lead you astray.
Read more about the story and the legend of this temple on http://ananthapuratemple.com/
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