Ananthapura Temple, Bekal

Ananthapura Temple is the only lake temple in Kerala. Folklore has it that this is the original seat, Moolasthana, of Anantha Padmanabha Swami. Here, in the temple lake lives a crocodile, and this venerable creature is believed to be the guard of the temple. It is also said that if one crocodile dies, another mysteriously takes its place.

The Ananthapura Temple was built in the 9th century. This temple is situated 30 km from Bekal. One important feature of the Ananthapura temple is that it can be visited by any visitor regardless of caste, ethnicity and religion. The temple has a Chuttambalam a (porch built around the main temple). The Temple Lake in which the Sanctum is located is a large building. It measures 302 sq ft, which is about 2 acres.