Ananthankadu Sree Nagaraja Temple Trust — Attraction in Kerala

Ananthan Kadu Sree Nagaraja Temple

History

Temple is the result of the celestial vision of Lord Sree Krishna that dawned upon Vilwamangalam Swamiyar the great sage and the ardent devotee of Lord Mahavishnu. Lord Sri Anantha the first among the eight great Serpeant Gods, is worshiped here as Naga Raja, the King of Serpeants. This temple is also considered to be the place of origin of Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple. Sri Anantha, who offers himself as a bed to the Lord of the three worlds, has been positioned with in the Fort at Thiruvananthapuram to the north west of Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple.

It was a small mistake committed by the Vilwamangalam Swamiyar that dragged him on to Ananthankadu, the dense forest. Vilwamangalam was a great seer who had a clear vision about Krishnavathara.  He used to have detailed Poojas every morning .One day a small boy came to his house and offered himself as an assistant. Enamoured by the charming presence of the child, the sage entrusted him with minor jobs related to the rituals.But as days passed by, the child got too playful and started even hampering the Poojas. Swamiyar got irritated.One weak moment he push the kid aside, back handed.

The child vanished into thin air. “If you want to see me again come to Ananthankadu”-these words echoed there. The grief – stricken sage roamed about a lot in search of the forest; and at last reached Ananthapuri. While taking rest in the farmyard known as Putharikandam he overhead a poor farmer woman raging at her child, “If you cry a bit more, I will simply throw you off into theAnanthankadu”. Swamiyar jumped up and rushed to the spot. There the supreme Lord of the Universe appeared before him as AnanthaPadmanabha; Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, in total submission, lost himself. In his utmost urge to offer Naivedya to the Lord he looked around. All he could site was a small, tender mango. He grabbed it, put it in an empty coconut shell and kept it in front of his Lord, as Naivedya.

After few years, the then Maharaja of  Travancore built two Temples in this area. He got the chaitanya of Maha Vishnu transferred to Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple and that of Anantha, to the Ananthan kadu temple. The idol of Padmanabha faces the East and that of Anandhan faces the West. Ananthan the Serpant God reigns here bestowing bliss over his worshipers; and removing the hazards in life such as wedding – block, the wrath of Rahu, Kalasarpa Dosha, Skin diseasesetc. Worshiping Lord Anantha is certain to grant children to the childless and Ashta Nagapreethi...

This temple sits quietly behind the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the East Fort area of Thiruvananthapuram. It is dedicated to Nagaraja—Lord Adi Shesha, the serpent king and eternal companion of Lord Vishnu—making it a place filled with deep spiritual meaning and legend .

The story goes back to the 16th century devotional saw a sage named Vilwamangalam Swamiyar who had a vision of a playful child. After the child vanished, the voice urged the sage to visit Ananthankadu—a dense forest near the current temple site. There the sage received the form of Anantha Padmanabha, resting on the serpent god’s coils. The king later built this temple here and transferred the spiritual presence of both Vishnu and Anantha to two neighboring shrines .

The temple layout is modest and reverent. Inside the sanctum you’ll find a seven-headed serpent idol sheltered under a carved hood. Around it are smaller shrines and plaques dedicated to deities like Ganapathy, Shiva, Vishnu, Dhanwanthari, Saraswati, Hanuman, Mahalakshmi, and Mahakali . The stone walls and pillars are simple yet peaceful, creating a respectful ambience that invites calm reflection.

Pilgrims come here for blessings related to healing, protection from snake-related afflictions, marriage obstacles, Rahu-Ketu dosha, and for blessings of children. Major rituals include Sarpa Bali, Nagar Oottu, Aslesha Bali, and celebrations in the Malayalam months of Edavam and Karkkadakam .

The temple runs morning and evening puja sessions, and its timings are roughly 5 AM to 8 PM. At times of festival, especially Nagapanchami and Sarpa Bali, the place becomes animated with traditional rituals, music, flowers, and lamp lightings .

Visiting here takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You can offer a coconut or rice, light a lamp, and quietly watch the priests perform rituals. It may not be famous among tourists, but it offers a deeply serene experience that connects you to Thiruvananthapuram’s spiritual heart and ancestral stories.

This shrine is more than a temple. It is a living reminder of devotion, ancient mythology, and the cultural memory that gave birth to one of the city’s most...

Ananthancaud Nangaraja Temple Trust is a beautiful temple that offers a rich and divine experience to its visitors. The temple is known for its daily poojas and Sarppa Bali rituals, which are performed with great sincerity and devotion. These rituals help to maintain the spiritual energy of the temple and its surroundings, and they also serve as a means of connecting with the divine.

Valya Thirumeni was a significant part of the spiritual experience at the temple, and absence of his physical presence is undoubtedly a loss for the temple and its community. His guidance and teachings were known for their vision and kindness towards people, and he emphasized the importance of a divine centre in supporting society. His presence will be deeply missed, but his teachings and legacy will continue to live on through those whose lives he touched.

Despite this loss, the temple's commitment to maintaining the spiritual energy of the surroundings and supporting the community remains strong. The daily poojas, Sarppa Bali rituals, and community initiatives all continue to be carried out with great sincerity and devotion.

Witnessing these initiatives in action is a humbling experience and highlights the important role that temples and other spiritual institutions can play in supporting the well-being of society. The temple's practice of offering daily "Annadana" (free lunch) for the needy, financial aid for the elderly and patients, and medical aid for those in need is a testament to its commitment to serving the community.

Overall, my experience at Ananthancaud Nangaraja Temple Trust is deeply enriching and fulfilling. I highly recommend visiting this temple to anyone who is seeking a meaningful...