India is a land where mythology, spirituality, and nature often merge in mystical harmony. Among the many sacred sites that dot the subcontinent, one stands out not for towering gopurams or ornate idols, but for its unusual guardian: a crocodile. Welcome to the Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kasaragod, Kerala the only Hindu temple in India where a crocodile has been revered as a divine being. For decades, a docile, vegetarian crocodile named Babia ruled the temple pond, baffling scientists and devout Hindus alike. After Babia’s mysterious death in 2022, many believed the divine legacy had ended. But in an astonishing turn of events, another crocodile has surfaced in the same temple lake, reviving belief, awe, and devotion.



The Temple That Floats on Faith

Where Myth Meets Mystery: The Living Legacy of Kerala’s Ananthapura Lake Temple

The Ananthapura Lake Temple, nestled in the lush green village of Ananthapura in Kerala's Kasaragod district, is believed to be the original seat (moolasthanam) of Lord Ananthapadmanabha, who is now enshrined in Thiruvananthapuram. Surrounded by a crystal-clear lake, the temple is built on a rock island, offering a rare and serene spiritual experience. But the main attraction for many visitors is not just the presiding deity it’s the crocodile that dwells in the lake.



Babia: The Vegetarian Crocodile Who Defied Science

Where Myth Meets Mystery: The Living Legacy of Kerala’s Ananthapura Lake Temple

For nearly 70 years, Babia the crocodile lived in the temple pond without causing harm to a single human being.

• Fed with prasadam (mostly rice and jaggery), Babia was considered purely vegetarian an anomaly in the natural world.


• Babia never attacked temple priests, visitors, or fish in the pond.


• Despite being a wild animal, the crocodile showed no aggression, leading many to believe it was a divine guardian, not just a reptile.

This non-violent coexistence stunned biologists and spiritual seekers alike. While no scientific explanation could fully justify Babia's behavior, locals firmly believed the crocodile was an incarnation of divine energy, perhaps even a representation of Anantha, the celestial serpent of Lord Vishnu.



Babia’s Death and the Rise of a New Guardian

Where Myth Meets Mystery: The Living Legacy of Kerala’s Ananthapura Lake Temple

In October 2022, Babia passed away peacefully. The temple and local devotees conducted full Hindu funeral rites, including a samadhi (tomb) for the crocodile a rare honour for an animal in any religion. Just when people thought this was the end of a sacred chapter, in 2023, another crocodile was spotted in the same pond. Temple priests and devotees were quick to see this as no ordinary coincidence. In line with temple legend, which claims that "there is always only one guardian at a time", the appearance of this new crocodile is believed to be Babia's spiritual successor.



Faith vs. Science: Where Belief Persists

Where Myth Meets Mystery: The Living Legacy of Kerala’s Ananthapura Lake Temple

While some wildlife experts suggest the new crocodile may have come through connecting water bodies, no source of water has been found that explains how it entered a walled lake. The temple’s architecture and pond design make this occurrence a mystery even from a geological perspective. To the faithful, there’s no need for scientific validation. For them, the new crocodile is a sign that divine protection continues, just as it always has.



What This Symbolizes for Indian SpiritualityThe tale of Babia and now his successor is more than just an unusual wildlife story. It symbolizes the deep respect for animals in Hindu culture, where deities often manifest through nature. Crocodiles, serpents, elephants, and peacocks are not just animals; they are sacred beings with spiritual meaning. In an era where human-animal conflict is escalating, Ananthapura temple remains a living example of peaceful coexistence of how faith can tame fear, and devotion can transform danger into divinity.



Myth Lives OnWhether you believe in miracles or not, the story of Babia and the new crocodile at Ananthapura Lake Temple stands as a powerful reminder that India’s spiritual heritage is alive, mysterious, and deeply interwoven with the natural world. In a time where facts dominate the discourse, sometimes, faith writes its own timeless tale in the ripples of a temple pond guarded by a gentle crocodile.



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