Ananthapura Lake Temple, Hindu water temple in Kasaragod district, India

Ananthapura is a Hindu temple in Kasaragod district, Kerala, completely surrounded by a freshwater lake and accessible only by a narrow walkway. The structure consists of a central shrine with carved wooden pillars and a tiled roof that appears to float above the still water.

The temple's early history is obscure; tradition holds that the sage Divakara Muni Vilvamangalam did penance here and that the child Narayana appeared to him before vanishing into a cave. The site is regarded as the original seat of Ananthapadmanabha, later at Thiruvananthapuram. The sanctum idols of over 70 medicinal materials called kadu-sharkara-yogam were replaced by panchaloha metal in 1972, donated by Kanchi Kamakoti Mathadhipathi Jayendra Saraswathi.

The name derives from Anantha, the thousand-headed serpent on which Vishnu rests according to local belief. Priests conduct daily rituals while worshippers stand at the water's edge and offer their prayers.

The narrow walkway to the shrine can become slippery during rain, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Visitors should come early in the morning to experience the dawn over the lake and avoid crowds.

Babiya, the lake's long-resident crocodile, died on 9 October 2022 at the age of 75; priests said she ate only temple offerings, served twice a week, and never harmed anyone. In November 2023 a much smaller crocodile appeared in the tank and began showing the same peaceful behaviour, avoiding fish and taking occasional offerings.