Almost all the temples in Kerala have a pond. These ponds
never dry and were perennial source of water. Our ancestors were capable of
detecting the right water channels below earth. Here are some interesting
temples ponds in Kerala. There was a temple pond in Kerala built by
Perumthachan – to a person viewing the pond appeared in different shape from
each corner.
Temple ponds were meant for devotees to take bath, wash
their face, hands and feet.
Devotees entered the temple only after washing their hands
and feet. Each temple pond has a belief and history attached to it.
Some temple ponds like the one at Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna
Swamy Temple is attached to the temple that it gives a great view to the temple
from a distance.
The temple pond in Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is known as
Bhasma Kulam.
The temple pond of the famous Padmanabha Swamy Temple in
Trivandrum is known as Padmatheertham.
The pond at Cherthala Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple is known as
Thavala Chelakulam – means silent frog pond. Legend has it that the frogs in
the pond used to make unusually high sound. It was unbearable to other living
beings. Once Vilwamangalam Swami came to the shrine and happened to experience the
noise of the frogs. He looked at the pond and told to keep quiet. It is said
that from that day onwards the frogs in the ponds never made a noise.
The single crocodile in the Anantha Padmanabha swamy temple in
Kasargod is very famous.
Turtles in the Adukathu Bhagavathy Temple in Kasargod are
very famous.
The temple pond in Mannady Temple is associated with temple Velichappadu.
The fishes in the pond are not caught by people.
Feeding fishes and other amphibians in the temple is
associated with various cures.
The temple ponds in Kerala occasionally throw up strange
sightings. When a pond was renovated in Paravur (Purusha Mangalam Temple) people
saw a golden tortoise.
It is also believed by people that people in ancient times
had hidden wealth in ponds especially during the attack of Tipu Sultan.
Some temples are located in the middle of the pond like the
Mookambika Temple in Paravur and the Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kasargod.