The Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Lake Temple, also known as the Ananthapura Lake Temple, is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Ananthapura, approximately 6 km from Kumbla in the Manjeshwaram Taluk of Kasaragod District, Kerala, South India. The temple is uniquely located in the center of a lake.
The lake surrounding the sanctum sanctorum covers an area of approximately 2 acres. A noteworthy feature to explore while visiting the temple is a cave located in the northern corner of the lake. Local legend has it that the deity Anantha Padmanabha decided to journey all the way to Thiruvananthapuram.
The temple's history remains largely shrouded in mystery, with only a few myths illuminating its past. It is said that this was the site where Divakara Muni Vilwamangalam, a revered Brahmin sage, undertook penance and conducted rituals. According to legend, one day, Lord Narayana manifested before him in the form of a child.
The boy's face shone with an extraordinary radiance, leaving the sage in awe. Overcome with curiosity, Vilwamangalam inquired about the child's identity. The boy responded that he had no father, no mother, and no home. Moved by compassion, the sage offered the boy a place to stay with him.