Pradeep Kotian's video: Lake Temple of Kerala Ananthapura Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple Kumble

In the Kasargod district of Kerala, near Kumbala, in the village Ananthapura is located Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Supreme Lord Vishnu.  The temple is believed to be Moolasthanam (or the original source) of Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The temple in Ananthapura consecrated on lake measuring around 2 acres is credited to be the only lake temple of Kerala. Sreekovil, the sanctum sanctorum, houses the idol of Lord Vishnu seated on five- hooded divine serpent Anantha surrounded by Goddesses Bhoo Devi (the Goddess of Earth) and Sri Devi (The Goddess of prosperity) and along with Garuda and Hanumantha in prayer position. The shrine is reached by pilgrims over the medium of foot- bridge. The entire setting is such that one feels at great peace and tranquility. Other than the main shrine, the temple site has a cave to the north-east corner of the lake. This cave is of great spiritual significance to the devotees. As per the legend it is through this cave that the Sage Vilvamangalthu Swami went after the disguised form of Lord Krishna after the Lord revealed Himself to him and instructed to trace Him at a place called Ananathkadu. It is said that after Sri Vilvamangalthu Swami discovered the place, there appeared a manifestation before him with Lord Vishnu seated on a thousand hooded Serpent. It was this holy spot that was then chosen for consecrating the present Padmanabha Swamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Near the south-west corner of the lake there is a shrine housing a very graceful idol of Sreekrishna believed to have been the same idol worshipped by Sri Vilvamangalathu Swami. It may interest culturists that the idol of Sri Ananatha Padamanabha Swamy has been made from a rare combination of 108 materials (Kadu-Sarkara-Yogam). This unique method of idol making is preserved with very few ancient artisans of Kerala. One of the most unique attractions of Sri Ananthapura Lake Temple is “Babiya”. Babiya is an aged crocodile that inhibits the lake from long time and is believed to be guardian of the temple. The temple priests claim that Babiya only accepts vegetarian offerings offered to him after devotes have worshiped at the premises and is friendly and harmless. It’s unusually interesting to note that after one crocodile dies, another one mysteriously appears from somewhere and takes over the duty- mystery and devotion thus continues. A year after death of the revered Babiya, another crocodile surfaces in Kerala temple lake Devotees at the Ananthapura Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Kasaragod district of Kerala were surprised when a new crocodile appeared in the temple’s lake, a year after the passing of the revered crocodile ‘Babiya’, believed to be a ‘reincarnated deity’. Babiya had gained popularity for its “divine connections”. It died on October 9, 2022. Uday Kumar Gatti, the chairman of the temple, has confirmed the presence of the new crocodile after a family from Mavungal at Kanhangad reported its sighting last Wednesday (November 8, 2023).  This marks the third crocodile to make an appearance at the temple lake. Legend has it that in 1945, a British soldier shot a crocodile at the temple lake, and shortly afterwards, Babiya emerged in it. To substantiate the recent sighting, the temple committee sent photos to a crocodile expert in Chennai, confirming that the new crocodile belongs to the same species as Babiya, said Mr. Gatti. He said that it appears smaller in size. Though temple authorities have not yet started to feed the crocodile, the departments concerned, including the Forest department, been informed about the reptile’s sighting. A committee meeting will be convened to discuss the “implications” of the crocodile’s presence in the waters, he said. Babiya, the late crocodile, had been an attraction for devotees from Kerala and Karnataka who considered it ‘a divine entity.’ Pilgrims used to visit the temple to witness the daily rituals when Babiya was known to consume the offerings for the deity. Babiya was buried on October 10, 2022, with a commemorative event held 41 days after its demise. The unexpected appearance of the crocodile has sparked discussions among the temple committee members and devotees, reviving the ‘spiritual connection’ many felt with the late Babiya, adding another mysterious twist to the temple’s history. _________________________________________ Music Credit :- Kerala Mandolin By Flute https://soundcloud.com/by-flute/kerala-mandolin https://www.byflute.com/ __________________________________________