Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ananthapura Lake Temple is a significant Hindu temple  of South India. It is located in the Kasargod district of Kerala. One of its striking feature is that it is the only lake temple in the state. Many a devotee and tourist come here throughout the year. Nestled on a rocky hill, the temple offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. The temple serves as a venue for the Thapotsavam festival, which is celebrated here with great joy in the month of April every year.

Ananthapura Lake Temple was built during the 9th century and is the original seat of Ananthapadmanabha Swami. It is said that the temple's lake houses a crocodile who is believed to be the guard of the temple. Local people say that the crocodile has been living here for more than 60 years. When one crocodile dies, another appears mystically. After performing morning prayers, whatever prasad the devotees offer, it is given to the crocodile at noon.

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses an image of Shree Padmanabha (lord Viahnu) seated on Adisesha, the serpent god. The walls of the temple are beautifully decorated with murals. The main shrine, is surrounded by a rectangular lake, really looks wonderful. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the original idols in the main shrine. They were prepared from more than 70 medicinal materials called ' kadu-sharkara-yogam'. Later the idols were replaced by panchaloha metals in 1972.