Ananthapura Lake Temple
Location
:
30 km from Bekal, Kerala
Presiding Deity :
Lord Vishnu
Unique Feature
:
Only Lake Temple In Kerala
Significance : Original Seat
of Anathapadmanabha
Located 30 kms north west of Mananthavadi in the Wayanad district, Thirunelli Temple is known as the "Kashi of South". Tucked away in the Brahmagiri Hills, Thirunelli Temple is encircled by the gurgling River Papanasini.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.
The presiding of the temple is Lord Vishnu seated on the serpent god, Adishesha. The temple is open to all visitors irrespective of caste, creed, and colour.
The temple is situated in the centre of the Ananthapura Lake, on a remote
rocky hill in a calm isolated region. The temple affords a bird's eye view of the green landscape around. It is believed by the local people that there is a lone crocodile living in the lake.
The shrine is encircled by a 'Chuttambalam' (an enclosed verandah running around the building), its walls are adorned by murals and there is a cave within that opens out to a small pond where the water level remains steady regardless of climatic changes.
The 'Koothambalam' here is one of the best in the State and rare paintings adorn the temple walls. Papanasini, the holy mountain spring believed to have divine cleansing powers to absolve the soul of all its sins is situated nearby.
