Ananthapura Lake Temple
This 9th century temple,30 km from Bekal is the only lake temple in Kerala and is the moolasthanam (original abode) of Anandapadmanabha, the deity of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is open to all visitors irrespective of caste, creed, and colour. It is situated in Kumbala, Kasargod. The temple stands at the centre of Ananthapura Lake, which is on a remote rocky hill in a calm isolated region. From the temple a visitor gets a bird's eye view of the green landscape around. According to the folk lore there is a lone crocodile living in the lake. The shrine is encircled by a 'Chuttambalam' (an enclosed verandah running around the building), its walls are adorned by murals and there is a cave within that opens out to a small pond where the water level remains steady regardless of climatic changes. Thapotsavam is the annual one-day festival celebrated on the fifth day after 'Vishu' in the Malayalam month of Medam (April) here. The idol of the main deity is carried in a ceremonial procession along the lake surrounding the shrine on two canoes tied together. Popular performing art form, 'Yakshaganam' of the neighbouring state of Karnataka is performed here on the night of the festival.
Best Season:
April
Transport Terminals:
Kumbala and Kasaragod
Location:
5 kms from Kumbala
How to Reach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kasaragod
Tags :Kasaragod
