DIETY-LORD VISHNU
HISTORY
While Sage Vilvamangalthu Swami was doing penance in the holy spot, Lord Krishna used to visit him disguised as a mischivous little boy. One day he did some pranks on him while the swamigal doing his pooja. Swamigal, at his wits end, admonished the child and pushed him with his back hand. The Lord, transformed into a ball of divine aura hastened through the cave. A divne voice echoed “Now if you want to see me, come to Ananthankadu”. Then only Vilvamangalathu Swami realized that the boy was none other than his own lord. It is said that the sage also ran into the cave and going through the passage that formed there he reached the Seashore and from there travelled southwards in search of Ananthankadu, at last the sage reached a place which is the present location of Thiruvanathapuram, the capital of Kerala, where he had the splendors vision of Lord Vishnu. It was at this holy spot Eventually Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple of Thiruvanathapuram came up. On the north-East corner of the lake there is still a big cave with a small pit with a perennial presence of water in it, which is considered as a sacred Theertham. It is believed to be the cave where boy Krishna disappeared.
FESTIVALS
The temple celebrates a number of festivals all year long. The ten-day Vaikunta Ekadashi festival in December and the Vishu (Malayalam New Year) celebration in April are two very colorful times to see the temple’s joyous atmosphere.
FAMOUS AS
Babiya, a crocodile who lived in the lake, was also known for being vegetarian. It died at the age of 75 on October 9, 2022. It is believed that it ate only temple offerings that were served to her twice a week and never harmed any human being.
Location-Kasargod
